Sunday, October 28, 2018

Lavender for Winter - Why Not?

Fabric Mart put up a bunch of cotton border prints in September and I bought four of them. I knew as I was purchasing them that I wanted shirts from them. Because when was the last time you saw a cool border print shirt in RTW?  I can't remember if I ever saw one! Ah the joys of sewing for yourself!



Supply List ~
TNT princess seamed/back yoke shirt pattern 

Fabric:  
100% cotton sateen border print

Notions:
Interfacing from Steinlauf & Stoeller
1/2" plastic floral buttons purchased from Pacific Trimmings


1" white bias binding purchased from Pacific Trimmings

Some Construction Thoughts ~
I think of this as a happy shirt because the fabric makes it so! Normally border prints are used with the print on the bottom, like my previous shirt. This time I used the border print for the main body of the shirt since it covered more of the fabric. The white from the top of the border print was used for the collar, collar stand, button bands and the cuffs.

To cut out the fabric, I used a single pattern layout which means the fabric was cut with the stretch going up and down the body. However, for the sleeves I wanted the stretch to go around my arms. So the sleeves were cut on grain with the stretch around the arms. This is important with my bodacious biceps and a mistake I made with a previous border print shirt make.


Another point to mention is that the fabric is a mid-to-heavyweight cotton sateen. This is not shirting fabric BUT it's perfect for our cold winters. I will add an additional layer of warmth with either a long sleeve tee or turtleneck underneath the shirt.  Making it will be perfect for winter wearing.

The hem is bound with the white bias binding to carry the white theme throughout the garment. 

I did get to a point in the construction where I was ectastic with how the garment was sewing up! One because the shirt was turning out the way I imagined it.  


Two even though some parts of the construction was tedious and slow going, the results were so worth it! Making this shirt was all about slow sewing. 

So a few pictures ~





This is the second shirt in "The Border Print Shirt" series. Two down and three more to go!  If you like the silhouette of my TNT shirt pattern, here are a few suggestions for current patterns you can use to make your own shirt ~ Grainline Studio Archer shirt, Cashmerette Harrison shirt, Butterick 5526, McCalls 7575, Vogue 9029, Vogue 8689, Hotpatterns Classic Nouveau Great White Shirt, to name a few. I'm sure there are more out there in Indie land that could be used too.

Personally, I have four shirt patterns that I will be using this fall/winter. Two are TNTs and two will be new pattern sews. My advice is to find a pattern that works for you and sew it a couple times. Make it a TNT pattern that you can use whenever you want a new shirt. As I've said before a TNT pattern allows me to play with fabric, techniques or manipulating both. I like to play. It's the main reason I sew!

One thing to note ~ this month is/was National Domestic Violence Month. Purple is the color associated with the month and as a survivor of Domestic Abuse I'm thrilled that I got this shirt made in time to celebrate the month. Even though it's more lavender than purple, I think it counts. Learn more about National Domestic Violence month here.

Next up on the blog after the month in review, will be a Rivermont Top. I've had this top in my mind since the beginning of the year.  I finally got it out of my creative brain and sewn up...

...as always more later!


27 comments:

  1. This shirt is a beautiful sew. The fit is terrific, the fabric is just lovely, and the attention to detail is super. Thank you for sharing your construction/decision-making process. I learn so much by reading about what and how you are inspired to take specific steps along the creative journey.

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  2. Carolyn, your shirt is beautiful. You really know when and how to use bias tape to frame a print, and best placement for those border prints. I too am inspired by your creations to get on the border print express! How do you estimate the yardage needed to have enough for what you have in mind, without seriously overbuying?

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    1. For these shirts I bought 4 yards. I overbought on purpose because I needed the extra fabric to manipulate the border print. I have about a 1/4 yd left that I added to my scrap pile. I need to add that I normally buy 3 yds for a shirt but that’s cause there’s more of me. If you’re on the smaller size, adjust accordingly.

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    2. Thanks, that info is very useful!

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  3. This is another lovely shirt. I'm loving your border print creations! Karen

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  4. First of all, I love your hair!!! Second, you look radiant in this shirt! I like the choice of cotton sateen, and all your tips.

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  5. Using the border print "upside down" is a great idea! I love all the details of this glorious shirt.

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  6. Oh this is one of my favourites from your shirt making collection. Love that print. I too use cotton sateen for cooler/colder weather wear.

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  7. This really looks good on you and its a really beautiful shirt made and designed so well. I love border prints so have been excited by your theme. But this might be my favorite among a lot of favorites. Can't wait to see the next one. Jean

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  8. Love the reversal of the border! genius!! Definitely 'stealing' come spring!

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  9. 'Because I'm happy, clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth...'. That is a 'happy' blouse--your smile tells it all. I love it...especially when presented during National Domestic Violence Month. As a survivor of domestic violence, I celebrate self care, self love, and renewed strength and purpose. Your joy and creativity is so encouraging.

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  10. Genius placement of the border and adding white accents just makes the whole shirt "pop". You truly inspire the rest of us to venture into uncharted waters with cutting crosswise too! Wish I could have a heart to heart talk with my brides about abuse in marriages having been through it too but they all have their own paths to walk.

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  11. Your Border Print series is great! I will definitely be "borrowing" some of your print placement ideas. And thanks too for your comprehensive list of pattern options. Very helpful.

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  12. I adore border prints and all things purple so this is a winner for me. I really like the use of the white contrast too.

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  13. Carolyn, I love all the garments you create! I recently listened to the "Love to Sew" podcast where you talked about the style of clothing you used to wear in your previous job (suits, pumps, skirts, dresses) and how you missed it. I feel the same way about the styles. As a teacher, I dressed up each day for work. However, today styles are very casual even in professions that used to be more formal. I love wearing dresses, skirts, and blazers, but when I wear them people ask why I am so dressed up. Alas, I should have been born in the 30's. Lol!

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  14. I am a enjoying the border print series very much too. I’ve always wondered what to do with them!

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  15. That shirt is GORGEOUS and looks great on you! Your border print series is so interesting!

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  16. Beautiful shirt and you look beautiful in it! Love the placement of the border. You're always so inventive with these prints. I have this same fabric due to arrive today.

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  17. I absolutely love this -- it's my favorite shirt you've ever made. You are the queen of border prints!

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  18. The way the print is, it almost looks like there is a yoke there in the front. It's really cool. And I would have been concerned about cutting the sleeves a different direction, but from these photos, it's not noticeable at all and it really works that they are the darker color as the top of the bodice. Amazing planning on that. I love that you do things that I either wouldn't have thought to do or that I would have been "afraid" to try. I have this fabric and I haven't decided how I'm going to use it yet, but seeing how you used it gives me some good ideas to think about.

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  19. I love this! And since I won't get to it in Fall, it'll be perfect for January when I.Cannot.Stand.Any.More.Black. Long sleeves, perfect for the outside layer.
    Thanks!

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  20. very nice! It's beautiful fabric and perfect on you.

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  21. Just gorgeous! I never would have thought about using a border print for a button front shirt, but it worked out great! Thanks for sharing!

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  22. Great looking shirt. Lavender is perfect for fall/winter. It's lovely and it matches your smiles. two snaps up.

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  23. I really like the use of the bias to finish the shirt hem. It looks sharp!

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