Hehe, I realise only Aussies are going to get that reference. My daughter suggested the name at first sight, and the similarities had up until that moment escaped me. But mean wife that I am, I informed my husband that he still has to wear his new shirt, nonetheless…
To explain; Bananas in Pyjamas is a favourite Australian children’s television show, starring (of course) B1 and B2. My kids all adored this show as littlies…
As the Bananas are always “coming down the stairs” I just had to make my husband come down the stairs for this photo…!
Prior to my daughter’s brilliant observations, I was pretty pleased with this latest addition to my husband’s wardrobe. Oh, OK, I still am pretty pleased… particularly with the buttonholes. They are on the diagonal!! Cool, no? I had seen a shirt in a very expensive menswear store with diagonally placed buttonholes, and decided they looked pretty interesting; a tiny little twist on an otherwise standard shirt, so I decided to incorporate this feature in the shirt. And I do like to experiment with different effects, even in something as basic and potentially unexciting to the home seamstress as a men’s casual shirt.
To draw attention to this feature I also placed the buttonholes in pairs, and used bright contrasting buttons. Well, they deserve to be noticed, right?! My husband had put in his boring request for white or navy buttons, but has conceded now that the yellow buttons are a bit more fun and casual. And definitely more interesting.
I had also used contrasting fabric for the collar and cuff lining, a feature I’d seen on other shirts in the same expensive store, and had decided the yellow buttons were sort of necessary to tie in somehow with the yellow fabric I’d used here. I just felt the shirt needed a little zing to it, as the fabric was so… conventional. I had bought the striped fabric about a year ago always with the intention of making a men’s shirt, but had not got around to it. I think now I just felt uninspired with the prospect of a kinda blah end result, but with the slightly off-kilter extra details I’m now very happy with it and don’t feel it is at all boring!
And yes, my husband likes it too!
Details:
Shirt; Burda 7767 with the usual custom fittings, navy and white striped cotton
I get it! Had the pleasure of meeting the artist creator once (you know she never received royalties from the ABC!?). Great shirt.
Lovely details on that shirt. Were the diagonal buttons difficult to do? Did the fabric distort or did you interfact the buttonhole area first? Did you mark the buttonholes first? I can't imagine getting this neat result myself, but I would like to add these details to a shirt, so more tips would be appreciated! Everybody loves B1 & B2!
Great shirt I love the special details you did.
Thankyou!
Katherine h; the diagonal buttonholes were not more difficult to do, but I spent some time measuring up super carefully first; the stripes made this easier! And yes, the buttonhole band and the button band strips are both interfaced with lightweight fusible interfacing, as are the cuffs, sleeve plackets, collar and collar stand.
Great shirt, and very snappy buttonholes and buttons. And a big congratulations for being recognised on the Burda site. A great achievement and well deserved. We are so proud of you.
Oh! Really smart, and love all the twists, takes from conventional to designer.
Great outfits Carolyn, and congratultions on your Burda post. I really love reading your blogs and seeing your outfits, I am so proud of you and I think you are really making an impact on the fashion scene. As you know I make everything I can from scratch, there is a great deal of pleasure in really creating something on your own. Keep it going, you are fantastic.
Love Dad
ooh. I like these diagonal button holes!
I Think I'll be B1. Great shirt, very comfortable and perfect fit. Thank you!
Craig
Very nice shirt. I like the contrasting yellow details.
That looks awesome!! I love the buttonhole placement and diagonal lean ;o)
You know, I actually know that show. I think it played her in the US at some point. I had a little cousin that sang that song until I thought I'd go crazy.
We have Bananas in Pajamas in the US too! The shirt looks great.
How TOTALLY fun! That shirt would make me smile all day long. The buttonholes are so interesting and I LOVE the contrast fabric choice.
Your husband is one lucky guy!
Yes, the diagonal buttonholes are very cool. And I like your contrasting collar and cuff fabrics. I'll need to try that.
I clicked on the title of your post thinking there would be some cute shirt for a little one. This is the classiest B1 shirt! It looks really smart. Lucky husband. I love the diagonal buttonholes and dash of yellow. B1 and B2 all grown up and actually dressed :).
Beautifully constructed shirt. And the contrast color is great … I especially like it on the collar facing and sleeve cuff facing. You have managed (as usual) to take something that could have been run of the mill and made it extra special.
Awesome shirt… and coming down the stairs – he is a good sport – very crisp and original! Fancy never getting the royalties …. are you thinking what I'm thinking? Time for a royal commission?
mmmm, I like the diagonal buttonholes! what a good idea. And the two at a time is nice too. I'll have to try this on one of Kevin's shirts. I like your labels – I've never noticed them before in your other items.
Your hubby is the opposite of mine. Mine loves to go to the fabric store with me when I am making him a shirt and pick out crazy buttons. If I really want him to have a subdued shirt I have to make it on the sly so he doesn't know.
Speaking of hubby shirts, I am on the lookout for a new shirt pattern for him, as after 7 or 8 uses the pattern is shredding (I didn't know about tracing back then) … I looked at the burda shirt you've been using but it just doesn't get big enough for my man. pouty face. oh well, I'll keep searching.
Absolutely outstanding, Caroline. Beautiful. I love the contrasting bits and the diagonal buttonholes.
You rock!
I use to watch Bananas & Pajamas with my two girls when they were young (in Canada) we still have the dolls lol! your shirt is great and your making him come down the stairs made me laugh!!
Most definitely not a "blah end result" it looks beautifully made and the diagonal button holes are a very expensive looking touch 🙂
Now I have the Bananas in Pyjamas song in my head! Hehe.
Wow, that shirt screams Designer with the yellow facings and buttons and the diagonal button holes! Very cool!
Great shirt, and very snappy buttonholes and buttons. And a big congratulations for being recognised on the Burda site. A great achievement and well deserved. We are so proud of you.