I only own one me-made white shirt. It works for everything so there's no problem with it. But I started to dream of white shirts that had some kind of design or print on them. Over last year's Thanksgiving break, I pulled three fabrics from the collection to make this work.
The first one I worked on was inspired by a Coldwater Creek shirt.
I had five yards of a double border print purchased from Fabric Mart in 2022.
I started with the TNT version of my shirt pattern used to created my Mood Border print Shirt. This fabric didn't need as elaborate a cut out but I didn't want a seamline on my front piece. The continuity of the print was important to me.
I've made about 40 shirts during the last decade. I have plans to make many more. Shirts work for my lifestyle and I can use the most amazing prints/panels/designs to create unique garments. Since I have a TNT pattern with many different moving pieces, I can pretty much achieve any look I want. However, that doesn't mean that I don't have at least a dozen other shirt patterns in my pattern stash.
So some photos from the cutting out process...
Here is the pleating process used on the shirt back.
I started with 1" pleats. But using 1" pleats didn't take up enough fabric to meet the back yoke.
Next I moved to 1.5" pleats. Again, no go. So, I moved to 2" pleats and wallah that worked.
To secure the pleats, I basted across the top of the shirt back. Then pressed the pleats flat. Finally I pressed with spray starch to insure the pleats will hold. I also added a line of stitching at the edge of every pleat to help it hold it's shape.
That was the most complicated part of the shirt and took several days to complete because the frustration was real!
The rest of the construction was my normal process. Now with the weight loss it's an oversized shirt. Also, I promise to stop talking about my weight loss but right now it's like a living breathing thing that affects everything daily.
Here are a few photos of the finished garment...
Conclusion ~
I should have used the pattern that I based this shirt upon. Not everything has to be remade by me! Sometimes I should stick with the experts.*LOL* Especially since I rifled through my pattern collection to donate some patterns at the Black Sewing Network Event and found the original!
*I know Blogger has made it more challenging to sign in but would you kindly sign your name if you use anonymous. It makes it easier to talk back to you. Thanks so much!
...as always more later!
That shirt is a ray of sunshine. I'm not surprised you received compliments from strangers. Talk about your weight loss/changing body all you want. It is life changing for you and a real issue for people who make their own clothes. As always, it is good to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice shirt! If I saw it on the street, I'd compliment it too. So nice to see you take one of your TNT patterns and tweak it to be very much like a RTW garment.
ReplyDeleteBit of a bummer that the pleats loosened up so much with wearing. Did you stitch along 1 edge of the pleats or both? If 1 edge, I wonder if stitching both might help them stay more pleaty-er (is too a word - I say so). Or there's a pressing sheet that is supposed to make pleats permanent (Rajah cloth?) but I've never used it so can't vouch for it.
As to writing or not about your weight loss - your blog, your choice. Those not interested can skip over that part.
I love your shirt, (make note to self to look for border prints) and whenever you mention weight loss remember most of us are applauding you too. As Gail mentioned above about stitching both edges of pleat may help considering width of pleats. I always enjoy reading your posts. Both informative and inspirational for me.
ReplyDeleteYou look amazing and your shirt is fabulous, Carolyn. I love how you also used the print on the band and collar. Your WL journey is is part of you and certainly part of your sewing journey, fit and all. I love hearing about it. It's challenging, both mentally and physically, to change sizes and regroup. Here's to better and great health for you! Remember, you are already the Queen of Border prints and have been a long time. I can never get enough of those!
ReplyDeleteJust want to add that when I do pleats, any kind, I always edge stitch but just on the inside of the pleat, the edge that would touch our body inside. I usually just press hard for the opposite edge on the outside. I wonder if using a vinegar/water soaked press cloth would hold them in.
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