After I made up this plaid fabric into a shirt for my husband, I still had plenty left over for a shirt for me. I've never made a real button-down shirt for myself before (the 1912 one hardly counts), and I have dreams of a perfect floaty white blouse to go with my Leonora shorts. In order to make that happen, though, I need to find the right blouse pattern. I figured that this plaid fabric, being only $1/yd and all, would be the perfect muslin fabric, but my pattern of choice, Simplicity 2246, aka the Lisette Traveler Dress, was not the perfect pattern. Boo. Mind, there's nothing wrong with the pattern as it is; it's just not the right pairing for this fabric. The Traveler Dress is meant to be made in a more drapey fabric, I think. Between the plaid and the stiffness of the fabric, my finished blouse reads more cowgirl than anything else. Of course, then I had to take that look a step further and pair the top with my faux riding boots.
 |
| Back view: the way the darts ended up, they make a neat optical illusion that there's actually some shaping going on at the waist. Also, ignore my lackluster ponytail. |
(Allow me to say at this point that I don't know anything about cows or what people actually wear to ride and rope them. I'm a city girl through and through; I've never "roughed it" in any way, shape, or form (not even going camping), nor do I plan to, ever. I'm sorry, but I just really like hot showers and indoor plumbing in general.) I guess that means that I did eventually fulfill the Sew Weekly "Worn Out West" challenge in the spirit of its original meaning, and not my geek interpretation...
 |
| I didn't bother with the pockets. |
Anyway, I was originally clued into the Traveler Dress' existence by Andrea's fab versions, but after reading all the other write-ups on Pattern Review, I really should have figured out that the cut of this pattern was quite loose and shapeless. Since my cotton shirting doesn't drape, it just looks boxy and weird. I ended up putting in a couple of huge fisheye darts into the back, but even then it's not very fitted. The sleeves are also a little loose, but I do like that that means I can roll them up comfortably. My only other gripe about this pattern is the weird all-in-one collar+collar stand. While it is quicker to sew, the resulting collar also doesn't fold over in quite the same way as a traditional one. Plus, it just looks weird to me that there's no break in the plaid? I don't even know. Also, I was running out of fabric, so I didn't cut a separate button placket on the bias like I wanted; I just extended the center front piece and did the foldover placket technique from Simplicity 7030 that I disliked so much.
 |
| See, doesn't that just look wrong somehow? |
Fabric: 1.5 yards of 60" wide, 100% cotton, blue windowpane plaid
Notions: Six small black buttons from my stash, from before I started sewing, so I don't remember where they're from.
Techniques: Flat-felled seams (I am really falling in love with this finish!), plaid matching
Hours used: Five
Will you make this again? Maybe. There are so many things I would change in this pattern, I'm thinking I should just find another blouse pattern that I like better. But if I ever find a snuggly piece of flannel, I am totally copying Andrea.
Total cost: $1.50 (I'm counting the buttons as free since I've had them for so long)
Final thoughts: I'm not sure if cowgirl is a good (or very convincing) look on me. Honestly, all I can think of is Jerry Dean Campbell from American Hoggers introducing his daughter, "This here my daaawwwter, Krystal Pistol Campbell..." But it looks cute on other bloggers, so I'll give it a try? Besides, this shirt is awfully comfy, probably because it is so loose. And I guess if we decide to, Mr. Cation and I can take the cheesiest Christmas couple photos ever. Maybe I can piece enough scraps together to make Walnut a bandanna, too...oh dear, somebody stop me.
 |
| How about I just settle for an awkward collage instead? Unfortunately, I couldn't get the colors to quite match since they were taken at different times and in different locations. |
Sadly, it is still too warm in TCOCC to wear this outfit, really. What is up with you, weather? It's almost November? See, this is why I can't take Sew Weekly challenges (like fall wardrobe colors?!) seriously.
 |
| My version of "I don't know what to do with my hands" is "I don't know what to do with my extremely pointy elbow." |
Actually, I like the way this shirt looks on you--even the way you styled it. Of course given my farm/cowgirl background, I might be just a smidgen biased. ;-) (And for the record, we like hot showers and indoor plumbing too, LOL!) ;-)
ReplyDeleteThat collar on yours is funky; I've done the one piece one before, but never one with a squared edge like that. I think that's largely what feels "wrong" about it. The properly shaped ones are hard to distinguish from their two piece counterparts on first glance.
Heh, I think most people like hot showers and indoor plumbing, but I'm not willing to forgo them to go camping! The whole square edge did throw me for a loop; I might try it with a different shape after your pinpointing the problem!
DeleteBwah ha ha! This is so cowgirl awesome and I must say I really like how you've styled this! I must admit whilst I love the Lisette patterns in principal I have found that they are a bit too box and free-flowing for my taste. I end up slipping darts in all over the place and going down a size to get some shape. In saying that, I think you've done a bang up job here and I rather like the whole western vibe!
ReplyDeleteI thought so too about other Lisette patterns I've seen, but Andrea's versions totally won me over! Good to know I'm not the only re-sizer and dart-er!
Delete$1.50 for a shirt... bargain!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe back view is great!! Nice darts.
I reckon this would look so cute with a black pencil skirt.
Thanks. It's a bargain if you don't count the hours of work! ;)
DeleteI like this on you! I think it's way cute! But I can see how you might feel like it's pretty loose compared to what you normally wear.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's weird wearing something not very fitted!
DeletePlease, please make Walnut a matching bandana. Or, better yet, his own shirt. Sorry this pattern didn't work for you. I definitely have been a cheerleader for it in the past because it's so easy, but I do know what you mean about the boxy back and the weird collar stand. My flannel version is great for lounging, but I definitely don't reach for it when I want to show off my curves, ha.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha oh man, the thought of Walnut in a matching shirt is just too much! I am quite taken with this idea, but I don't think I have enough fabric left. Maybe that's for the best, though.
DeleteI still want to make a flannel version, because yours looks so warm and snuggly!
You should totally wear your shirts out together!
ReplyDeleteI think my husband might die of embarrassment before we made it out the door :)
DeleteHey Cindy, thanks for the mention! That shirt is still one of my favourites. The key is indeed the drapey fabric! When something doesn't turn out the way you want, just regard it as a wearable muslin :)
ReplyDeleteI'm still on the lookout for a perfect drapey white fabric! Seriously, you don't realize how much time I've spent thinking about your perfect blouse!
DeleteI think you and I should go "glamping" :) Love the shirt! The plaid is pretty fantastic on you and Husband both. I can see why you would need to add the fisheye darts in back to break up the boxyness - I'm handling a similar problem on my end. I think you rock the cowgirl look - and you definitely look comfortable!
ReplyDeleteI think it's cute! Definitely needs the darts cause now you have a relaxed yet still shapely cowgirl shirt! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's cute on you! I completely understand the desire to find a good girl's button-down blouse pattern - they are never quite right for those of us with a small bust. I ended up tracing a pattern off of on of my favorite store-bought shirts when I couldn't find one with darts that fit me correctly.
ReplyDelete