Christine Sews

A purse clasp can be a nice alternative closure to a zipper, especially if it is magnetic.  They are not difficult to install.  And they can be added to almost any pattern.

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I like patterns.  But I consider them to be optional.  I like that they do all the math, and tell me exactly how many yards of fabric and trim I might need.  I say might need, because I am likely to add something, leave something off, or change it up altogether.  In which case, yardage estimates on the pattern envelope will be irrelevant.

[McCall’s Pattern]

Joann’s is having a sale for Labor Day.  For my non-US readers, Labor Day is usually the first Friday of  September. Of course, I am scouring the McCall’s Patterns online because $1.99 sale equals less math, more sewing.

Sewing tips:

• Find pattern sales.
• Choose the patterns you would like ahead of time and write down twice as many as you would actually like to purchase.  Either look at them online, or peruse the pattern catalogs in the store (not always the same selection those two).
• On sale day pull all of the patterns you wrote down and look at the envelope drawings.  You probably will not want all of them.  They’ll be complicated, have notions you can’t find, or just look different than you imagined.  Put back whatever you don’t want.
• There is usually a limit to the number you can purchase (imposed by the store, not your bank balance).  Typically it is ten or less depending on the seller and the pattern maker.

Refashioning a man’s shirt made of a fabric with a soft hand is different than refashioning a shirt made with a crisp cotton.  This shirt is a fine cotton, made in Italy.  The previous shirt refashion was a thicker, heavier cotton, American made.

I mention the place of assembly, because in general, the designs will differ as well.  The Italian shirt has less ease in the shoulders and back.  And the fabric is much softer, as mentioned, and a much bolder color. Both shirts have the shirttail hem - rounded lower in the back and front and higher at the sides.  But they dip in at different angles.  The Italian shirt is much closer to being horizontal.  The American shirt dips a lot.

What’s different and the same about this shirt refashion, in pictures.

1. The  green blouse is casual and fits me well at the shoulders.  I used it to mark the width and position of the armscye.  Mans shirt gets feminine makeover needed to cut out a lot more fabric from the original shirt in this area.



2. I cut bias strips from the sleeve and attempted to make bias tape from it. This turned out to be a catastrophically bad idea. The fabric was far too soft. And borrowing a phrase from an Aussie online friend, wonkified. I tossed the strips and did not have enough fabric to make the faux princess panels. Plenty of room for wearing, but no slimming effect. Boo.



3. I used a nude colored bias tape like a facing on the armscye. Just attach the bias tape on the right side of the shirt. Then fold it into the shirt so it is hidden. You will need to roll it carefully and press it well or it will show.




4. On the v-neck I used a contrasting bias tape as trim. This is the same as the other shirt. I just didn’t show how to fold in the last tutorial. Just leave the bias tape an inch longer than the neckline. Stitch up to it. Then fold in and stitch again. It looks messy in this photo. But those strings are tiny and do not show at all on the finished shirt.



5. Bustline gathers are reinforced on the inside with gross-grain ribbon. See how a dart would mean removing the pocket?

Question for readers: What size photos do you prefer? I was using smaller photos, so I could use a whole lot of them without requesting more space. But I have read that this can be very annoying to some readers. So… small, medium, large? Pixel size? Feedback much appreciated.

After months of being unable to force myself into purchasing green linen fabric, I decided that I would finally order some.  Immediately.  I logged onto my favorite fabric site, went to the plain green fabric I’d seen, and then, changed my mind and ordered this:

Mill Creek Mantra Hazelnut - Fabric.com

Not very plain is it?

Right.  I’m sure DH would have a meltdown except that he’s pretty accustomed to my antics by now.  And the worst I can probably expect from him is a rant about the Gallic invasion.

This fabric will probably be difficult to cut.  I the fabric I used for the laptop sleeve is Swavell Mill with a repeating motif.  And if you’re off by fraction of a centimeter it shows.  Time to get out the laser level.

Next up, a man’s shirt makeover part deux, and surprise fabric from Miss M.