The birthday boy at Palm Cove.
Anyhow, one of my most recent creations was to sew a Colette Negroni shirt for my husband for his birthday. I've never made a collared shirt before. I'm not really into the whole collared-buttoned-up look for myself and I've never ventured further than fishermen's pants for Paul. Somehow though I felt it was time. Time to add this style of garment to my sewing repertoire and time to sew Paul a lovely garment. He does, after all, most definitely deserve a handmade garment sewn with love.
I began by sewing a toile. I originally sewed up a large. The fit was perfect across the shoulders and yoke, however the body of the shirt was too baggy. No slim-fit to be seen anywhere, so I graded the width down to a medium. I did however leave a little extra room across his 40+ year old podge. That, I discovered, is the fabulous thing about sewing your man a shirt. The point where a slim-fit shirt may appear a little too snug, can be accommodated for - you end up with a slim-fit shirt, that appears slim-fit right the way through. No tight spots and no having to go up a size resulting in a garment too over-sized everywhere else. Fabulous, don't you think?
It was blowing a gale at Palm Cove today, so everything appears a little skewed. Trust me, it does all sit flat.
My sleeve piece sitting on top of the Negroni sleeve piece.
I thoroughly enjoyed sewing this shirt for Paul. I haven't been enjoying sewing much lately and I think it may have reignited my enthusiasm. I enjoyed the process and the ease of sewing with this type of fabric. As many of you would know, cotton lawn is a dream to sew with and provided welcome respite from some of the poorly behaved silks that have been haunting me lately.
Happy birthday Paul!
What a gorgeous shirt and the fit looks spot on. Interesting about the sleeves. I nearly made Andy a Negroni in Liberty but he never wore the 'good muslin' version I made so I didn't bother! Hmm there seems to be a small someone hiding in that last pic :)
ReplyDeleteGreat shirt! And Happy Birthday! I like the wild print in muted greens. Super for casual, everyday life with a bit of style.
ReplyDeleteOhh, how nice! Not only did you sew him a shirt but you also used Liberty! Very interesting sleeve comparison. J needed a little bit of extra width through the midsection when I made him his shirt, too. It is nice to make a shirt that fits just right and you don't have to compromise the fit somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteIts a wonderful shirt. My husband would definitely appreciate custom shirts once I feel up to the task.
ReplyDeleteNot sure which looks better Palm Cove or your man's birthday shirt. I'd like to be in Palm Cove pretending I made the shirt for my darling husband.
ReplyDeleteOoh - lovely! And thanks a million for the Liberty link... I do so love me a liberty print! The Negroni shirt is a total win - looks really great, even more so for a first time at sewing shirts!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love that fabric. Really love it. I can be a bit ambivalent about Liberty prints (*gasps*) because they can seem quite busy, but this shirt is persuading me.
ReplyDeleteAlso interesting notes on the fitting for guys.
Happy Birthday to your husband!