Sewing: My First Shirt!

By Tiffany - Friday, April 05, 2013

I've finally finished making my first shirt. It's a wearable muslin for my eventual Black and White challenge shirt. I wanted to go through the whole process (interfacing, buttons, buttonholes, etc.) before doing the same with my fashion fabric.


My notes after the jump...

Materials
  • Cotton (old bedsheet): $0
  • Interfacing (already had): $0 
  • Buttons (from old shirts): $0
  • Pattern: $3.50
 So cheap! It makes up for what I spent on my Minoru jacket.

Pattern

BurdaStyle Ute (6020)

At first, I was going to use Sewaholic Alma for my Black and White Challenge. But after thinking about the fabric I chose, I thought it would look better with the wider collar and neat sleeve details that Ute has (they have a 1940s vibe, no?). I also really wanted to try a shirt with princess seams, as I had read that they are good for fitting (in this book).



The pattern instructions weren't that great. There were many gaps and awkward sentences (bad translation?). Because of this, my goal is to create a step-by-step sew-along here (stay tuned!).

Alterations
  • At first, I made a size 40 (according to my measurements). The shirt ended up with to much easy. I then measured an existing shirt I had and compared it to the pattern. That indicated that I needed the shirt to be between size 36 and 38. As it seemed really baggy with size 40, I made a size 36. 
  • Size 36 did end up being a little tight. I let out both of the side seams by 1/4" and a little more near my hips. This was a 3/8" seam allowance on the sides and graded to a 3/16" seam allowance starting 7" from the bottom of the shirt.  
  • The armscye is not quite right. It needs to be moved up and out (more ease). Unfortunately, I had trimmed the seam allowance before I realized it was an issue. I was able to fix a bit of the pulling that it caused across my chest by letting out the princess seams above and at my bust by 1/8" each.
  • I took in the back princess seams by my waist for a more closely fitted look. I was able to eliminate most of the excess fabric that gathered there by doing this. A dressform would have definitely made this adjustment much easier!


Not too shabby for an old bedsheet! I'm pretty happy with the finished shirt. It is only my first shirt, so I shouldn't be too hard on myself for any little imperfections it might have.

My husband had fun playing photographer

Now I'm off to start my next Ute!

  • Share:

You Might Also Like

4 comments

  1. Wow, this looks so great! I'm still a bit terrified to try buttonholes ha! I can't wait to see the finished version - hopefully now that you've made this one you won't encounter so many fit issues with the next! (And yes, I find that it can be very confusing reading things that have been translated - looking forward to your sew along!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I must have made 30 test buttonholes before doing them on the shirt. I'm glad I did though - they aren't easy!

      Delete
  2. love this! and it looks great on you. will be so cool in black and white too. I admire your patience in making a wearable muslin!

    ReplyDelete