I have made a shirt for Craig’s birthday 🙂
Burda 7767, again.
Looks kinda plain from a distance? well, up close it can be seen the shirt has a secret floral surprise!
I’ve seen a few shirts in up-to-the-minute menswear boutiques with some panels and parts cut from contrasting prints like paisleys and florals, and wanted to make something like this for Craig. Thing is though, he’s a fairly conservative dresser who would give major side-eye to anything full-on floral…. too scary! so to ease him into the trend gently and painlessly I just sneaked it in, in innocuous spots, for facings and mostly inside parts. Meaning at a casual glance you only get tantalising glimpses that it is not just a boring old plain grey shirt. Fortunately this was acceptable. Phew!
I’m really pleased with how it looks! It’s always a bit nerve-wracking choosing fabrics for the menfolk, they can be so easily spooked. The floral is a little hipster, it’s true; but I think the soothing presence of all that grey cotton broadcloth makes it ok for a man like my husband.
Both fabrics are from Spotlight, and I used the soft floral Japanese cotton wrong side out to get a softer, pleasantly faded and muted effect. This is used for all facings: the collar, collar stand, pockets, button and buttonhole bands, sleeve hems and yoke. The variegated pale/dark grey buttons are from Fabulous Fabrics.
I gave the left breast pocket a pen division, because apparently he actually uses it.
All the seams are flat-felled, and I used my own tutorial to get that sleeve cap curve sitting down nice and flat around the shoulder.
At the lower edge of the side seams I tried something new, and finished them with a lapped flat-felled split. I really like how this turned out; it’s strong and looks both neat and smart and I will use this technique for a lot more shirts in future 🙂
Details:
Craig’s shirt; Burda 7767 with minor modifications, my review of this pattern here
Very classy shirt and love the pop of the floral, it is discreet but still on trend. When I get around to making a shirt for DH it would have to have that pen division, he is lost without it.
Very nice, and I love the hidden hints of floral. Have you ever done a tutorial on flat-felled seams? I always shy away from them as too fiddly, but I'm sure you'd make it look easy!
Thanks Andrea, and yes I have! I've linked to both of my tutorials in the text above now 🙂 Thank you for asking!
What a lovely and personal gift! beautifully made as always too… you are an ace shirt-maker 🙂
This is a lovely shirt and looks really cool. The pen pocket is a nice touch.
I like the floral details! I also try to sneak these kinds of things in when I make something for my boyfriend or try to get him to agree on a colour that is outside of his comfort zone (blue, grey and black) when picking a fabric.
That is a sneaky bit of floral, very clever.I have never made a shirt, it looks like a lot of time and care to me. Jo x
I hope he realizes what a very lucky man he is! Love the shirt, obviously.
You're a pro at those!!
Absolutely beautiful job Carolyn. Impeccable finish inside and out. Love the subtle addition of the floral fabric too.
That looks nice! Me too, likes to sew men's shirts witch such details!
how beautiful it is ! I've made ​​two attempts man's sewing , but it never good. Your shirts are greats, with beautiful details.
Beautiful job! I also love the floral fabric picking from the inside plus I like the idea of separating the pocket so hi has room for his pen. Thanks for the flat seam tutorial for the sleeves…my husband has been asking me when I am going to make something for him and the sleeves scare me, I'd love to know how to do the lapped flat-felled split at the bottom of the shirt.
Perfection, as always! LOVE the floral detail.
Very nice shirt. I know that sideways look well. 😉
So nice and I am seeing that contrast effect lately on very cool shirts so you are spot on with it.
i love the subtle peeks of floral, great detail!
This is such a nice shirt! I love the little hints of floral!
"they can be so easily spooked" – haha, that is so true! I might have to try this for my very conservative husband. The shirt is really nice and I love how you always make shirts for your family. Merry Christmas!
Very nice surprise!
I'm in awe of those collar points – so sharp!
The floral details are so discreet yet they give the shirt that extra smartness. I love, love, LOVE how neat all your finishes are. Always an inspiration. I say it everytime because everytime it is true.
Merry Christmas!
Another great shirt. The grey with the floral is a wonderful choice.
Very nice love that floral touch.
Merry Christmas
Lovely, Carolyn, just lovely. Can you say a man's shirt is lovely? I think the details are spot on! I wish I was as accomplished as you at shirt making. Your shirts look so professional! Great job.
Carolyn, it is a nice shirt, I love the floral details. You are a master of sewing. Happy Christsmas!
Looks great! Love the hidden floral touches!
A beautiful shirt, with such a lovely surprising inside! I have been trying the same thing with shirts for my husband, but so far I got a big fat No…
A great shirt, I love the floral surprise!