Tag Archives: Mens Shirt

The B1,B2 shirt

03/12/2010 5:41 am \ 23 Comments \

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

pinterestmail
Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: , , ,

A burdensome expectation…

11/11/2010 7:03 am \ 16 Comments \

Since I stopped buying any new readymade clothes I am finding it easier and easier to dress completely self-stitched on a regular basis, as some of my older store-bought clothes are starting to bite the dust.  I’ve always found it difficult to throw out store-bought clothes.  Ironically, a garment I’ve made myself is far easier for me to toss out, because I can see all its faults and my inner perfectionist will judge it harshly for not exactly fitting my vision at the time of making it.  I look at some old thing I made years ago and see how tacky and “homemade” it looks (all seamstresses know the vast vast difference between the “handmade” and “homemade” look, I don’t need to go into that now, do I?) whereas a garment I’ve bought readymade I just accept happily for what it is.
Now on a similar train-of-thought, and I’d like to know if any other self-seamstresses ever get this too… since I’m known for making my own clothes I’m often queried by people as to whether or not I’ve made what I am wearing that day… and if on occasion I have to respond, “oh, not this, I actually bought this”; I’m not kidding, people will go, “oh”, all disappointed, and change the subject, moving right along, and seriously, I feel like I’m letting people down.  I feel like a failure, because I’m wearing something I didn’t make… oh dear, just not up to scratch today, hmmm? …  Is this ridiculous or what?!
Now tell me whether I’m alone here, or am I being too sensitive?  Does anyone else get this reaction from others when they wear store-bought clothes?

Details:
Shirt; Burda 7767, first seen here (borrowed from my son, he’s OK with it) turquoise striped cotton
Skirt; Vogue 7303, ivory wool blend
Coat; my own adaption of Burda 7786, beige cotton
Belt; had since teenager years
Booties; Django and Juliette, from Zomp shoes

pinterestmail
Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: , , , , , ,

Domestic diva VII

23/09/2010 5:21 am \ 10 Comments \

Went on a recky (translation; Aussie slang for reconnaissance mission) through the husband’s side of the wardrobe for this morning’s outfit.  Oh, btw, that’s just the shirt here, not the skirt hehe, in case you were wondering…

Details:
Shirt; Burda 7767, blue linen, seen first here
Skirt; Vogue 7303, green cotton velveteen, see first here
Socks; handknit by me, using Patonyles sock yarn, seen first here
Belt, kept from some old cargos that have long gone
Hat; Barmah, leather stockman’s hat
Shoes; Francesco Morichetti


Re yesterday’s post: my husband reckons I was far too mysterious and should not have told just half a story.  I can see now he was right and I wasn’t fair.  Talking about private stuff makes me uncomfortable, but I appreciate that many of you are now like my pen-pals and we are interested in each other’s lives and not just visiting each other for the sewing and fashion so I should try to open up more…

A friend lost her son to cancer.  He was 24.  He had been ill such a short while, so while the end was not unexpected it was still too shocking.  Of course would always be too shocking, no matter how much time you have to prepare, of course.  I saw her and the family yesterday and they were just amazing.  So loving and so positive.  My friend C makes me want to be a better person.
That’s all.  Just go and hug your children.  I am.

pinterestmail
Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Chambray shirt

07/09/2010 4:02 am \ 13 Comments \

After finishing my chambray/denim dress I had a leetle bit of the fabric leftover, too much for scraps, not enough for another garment.  I had enough for the fronts of this shirt.  So then had to go back for some more fabric to cut out the entire shirt…  (and now still have a tad of the fabric leftover,  mama mia, a recurring vicious cycle, how to use constructively and efficiently all the leftovers…?!)
I made this shirt using Burda 7767, my go-to menswear shirt that I’ve made up seven times in all now for the men in my family, this is such a great easy pattern…  Obviously I sized it to fit me this time…  other variations were to add two breast pockets with flaps, sleeve tabs to enable me roll up the sleeves (probably permanently), and to use snap closures throughout in leiu of buttons. I like the more casual “jeans-y” feel the snap closures give to a denim shirt.  Although these particular ones from Spotlight were just hell to put in, I strongly suspect the wrong “tool” was enclosed in this particular batch, and unfortunately I couldn’t locate the correct tool which I know I have floating around in my haberdashery collection somewhere…  but I was impatient to finish the shirt so just made do with the one provided.
Obviously the other variation I made to the pattern was to have the fronts lapping over the opposite way to a men’s shirt…  it would be nice to know the reason behind this strange custom.  Does anyone know the reason why mens’ shirts button up in a different way to womens’ shirts????  I’d really like to know…
I made these white linen pants last summer? or the summer before?, I make a new pair every year so they all kinda blend in… to see them properly and in full length go here…
Don’t you just love the clouds?  We are expecting some rain soon, woooheee, finally!  Everyone here is desperate for rain!

Details:
Shirt; Burda 7767 with minor modification, blue chambray
Pants; self drafted, white linen
Shoes; Country Road

pinterestmail
Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: , , , ,

First day of Spring!

01/09/2010 4:15 am \ 6 Comments \

 


Woke up thrilled at the first day of spring, and the first day of Self-Stitched September!  Then looked hopelessly at all my handmade clothes and felt completely uninspired… blah blah blah, all horrible.   Resisted the urge to throw on a completely store bought outfit, oh, I’m such a rebel.  I wouldn’t last one second in the armed forces.  Order me to do something and I’m very likely to do the complete opposite out of sheer obstinacy…
But I’m nothing if not self disciplined, and I have committed myself to do this and I generally do snap-to and obey my own randomly self-imposed crazy rules, so managed to get dressed after all…
This is a linen shirt I made for my husband and plucked surreptitiously from his side of the wardrobe (I know, tragic no?, stealing from one’s husband so early in the month, but it is stitched by me so I figure I can include it… and I have a dearth of self-stitched shirts)  It is made using Burda 7767; with collar stand but no collar, a double welt single pocket with loop button closure, see here for the details.  I rolled the sleeves up so I can actually use my hands while wearing it today…
My skirt is based on the basic shape of Vogue 7303, my old favourite.  The fabric is handwoven by my mother, so a precious garment in my wardrobe indeed…  for a close-up of the fabric see here.
This felt like a suitably semi-smart ensemble for my day’s activities of an appointment, some office errands and office work, and a supermarket visit…

Details:
Shirt; Burda 7767, custom fit to my husband, fine white linen
Skirt; based on Vogue 7303, fabric handwoven by my mother
Belt; Morrison
Boots; di Sempre, from Zomp shoes
Bag; Gucci

pinterestmail
Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: , , , , ,

Menswear: collarless white linen shirt

08/07/2010 4:06 am \ 6 Comments \

I made this new 100% linen shirt for my husband, at his request.
Using Burda 7767 again, with the usual custom fitting modifications.
The design variations this time are in the collar, there isn’t one!!  And in the pocket.  I made a double welt pocket with a loop button closure.  I included a picture of the inside to prove that it is indeed a working pocket!  A clothing feature that I loathe is “fake” pocket designs, such as a welt pocket that isn’t actually a pocket at all, but a decorative detail; massive pet hate.
Of course now I’m looking at that picture and thinking I should go back and properly finish the inside pocket edges with Hong Kong seams… might still do that…  I’ve never “learnt” how to make a welt pocket, or followed any instructions on how to make one, as I don’t have any patterns that feature this detail.  Instead whenever I’ve wanted to put one in I just follow my instincts and make it up as I go along.
Now, on a related note, I occasionally, not frequently, borrow my husband’s clothes.  Well, (sheepishly) he goes to work early, they’re hanging in the wardrobe in all their desirable menswear glory just looking perfect for some outfit I have in my head, and I figure they’re fair game…  This is a shirt I can see myself appropriating on a regular basis.  Well, for one thing, all the fashion style magazines advise on the essential-ness of “the basic crisp white shirt” in a well-dressed woman’s wardrobe, do you think I have one??!!  I need a classic crisp white shirt.  Until the time comes when I get around to making one for myself (I have about a zillion projects lined up before I get to that one!)  I’m nicking Craig’s new shirt.
Expect to see it in future outfit posts!

pinterestmail
Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: , , ,

Winterblue shirt

18/06/2010 8:48 am \ 4 Comments \

You’ve heard of “wintergreen”?  Well I’ve decided this is “winterblue”!  You know, a sort of arctic colour scheme and with the snowflake-like print ‘n all…?
Today is my son Tim’s birthday, so of course I had to make him a shirt like his brother’s, see here…  Tim really feels the cold so I made his out of warm-as-toast plaid cotton flannel, a fabric that caused a few queries about the “pyjamas” I was making but in keeping with my surfwear research of the other week!, and using Burda 7767 (yes, again…)  Again I used press studs in lieu of buttons throughout, and added a tab inside the sleeves so he can roll his sleeves up; the preferred mode of wear.  Although the cuffs and sleeve plackets are there and finished to perfection (if I say so myself!) they will probably never be seen!
Please note that the checks match up perfectly, and that the pockets are mini symmetrical works of art; patched and with the outer half placed on the diagonal, pocket flaps also on the diagonal and stripes going in the opposite direction on each side.  I’m kind of obsessive with my patterns like that!  Do you like the little message I put inside the yoke?  I ran out of the flannel (it came in a much narrower width than I realised when buying it) and so used some of the leftover cotton from Sam’s shirt to face the pocket flaps and for the inside yoke.  
He says he loves it, and is wearing it now.  Happy birthday, Tim!
Today’s random picture below, an inadvertent experiment by Tim; what happens when you leave a felt-tip pen uncapped and resting overnight against a roll of absorbent toilet paper?  Scroll down to find out…

pinterestmail
Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: , , ,

Pacific Blue shirt

07/06/2010 9:14 am \ 12 Comments \

Today is my youngest’s birthday!  And as his shirt collection is sparse and he has about as much enthusiasm for clothes shopping as many of us reserve for root canal treatment I decided to surprise him with a new addition to his wardrobe.  He does like clothes, just hates the whole choosing and purchasing process; a common condition amongst teenage boys…  I was a bit worried about making something that he would be sure to like; so checked out a few surf shops first and immediately noticed that Aussie teenage surf clothing is made out of the most unlikely and bizarre fabrics!! the kinds of fabrics most of us home fashion designers would leave behind in amazement and disgust!  So when I went fabric hunting I looked for something “unexpected”.  I think I found it in this very bright turquoise stripe, no?  Definitely not a print that traditionally whispers “teenage boy”, but in keeping with my research…  still I worried that it would be too bright and even trialled staining an off-cut with coffee.  I then asked his opinion (sneakily pretending I was making a blouse for myself) but he definitely preferred the bright version!  Luckily he loves his shirt and has been wearing it all day.
I made it using Burda 7767 again, tailored to fit his size based on other shirts in his wardrobe…  The modifications I made were: substituting press studs for buttons throughout, adding two shaped breast pockets with pocket flaps, shoulder tabs and sleeve tabs on the inside of the sleeves so he can roll his sleeves up.  I also shaped the hemline as he likes his shirt to be hanging out…

pinterestmail
Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: , , ,
Switch to mobile version
↓