The Savvy Sewer Salon at Sawyer Brook

With Barb's blessing, we are starting a new sew-along for a GREAT SUPER-VERSATILE SHIRT. Using Sawyer Brook fabric is the only rule for this sew-along. Your shirt can be white or not white , short sleeve or long, and pattern decision is yours.

The official start date is March 15. This gives us all some time to finish projects we have going at the moment. I hope you can join me! I am looking forward to seeing all who will participate and all who will follow along with helpful advice!

Natalia

Nata, The timing is just right for me, I couldn't possibly start a new project before the 15th. of March. I don't know that I will do a white shirt because white makes me look like a ghost, I may do one in batik. I have to look at the fabrics. Brenda

I'm glad we're going to do a shirt! I don't have the Superfantastic Shirt pattern from Hot Patterns so I need to order it. I think I'll order the Liberty Shirt pattern from the Sewing Workshop as well. I don't have a plan yet, but starting in a couple of weeks sounds good. I need to finish up the coat sew along, the pant sew along and did I mention that I'm making a couple of quickie things for a party this weekend? Back to the sewing room . . .

This will be a fun sew along for all of us! We are currently assembling a packet of all the shirtings we have in stock. The packets will be ready next week. If you are interested in receiving the swatches (no charge) please email fabric@sawyerbrook.com using Shirting Packet Request in the subject line. Don't forget to include your postal address!

I thought I'd start some ground work for this project. As I wasn't certain about the difference between a shirt and a blouse, I did some searching. As I am finding out, distinction between the two is very blurry.

Classic shirt has the following: a one piece back, one or two piece double yoke, two fronts, one piece sleeve, collar stand, and collar.

Blouse has no double yoke. All other details can be used in every conceivable variation.

I also saw "shirts" in RTW without double yokes. Fabric seems to make a difference if the garment is called a shirt or a blouse. Garments made from cotton and cotton/stretch are often considered as shirts even if they are cut as a blouse.

I have chosen the pattern and fabric for my shirt for the spring sewalong. The fabric is "Sand Spray", a linen/rayon blend from SB.
The pattern is Vogue 1054, a Ralph Rucci design. It is a difficult pattern with lots of detail. Two weeks ago, before the spring sewalong was decided, I cut this pattern out of some fabric in my stash just because I was in the mode of "using up some of this fabric that has been hanging around for a couple of years". (Does anyone else ever get into this mode?) Anyway, I am going to make this up as a practice garment before I start on the real thing. Hope we get a few more Savvy Sewers to join in.
Brenda

I am going to reference books and other resources I am using for this project o give the authors due credit. I am going to update the list as we go.

Library

1) "Shirtmaking" by David Page Coffin http://www.amazon.com/Shirtmaking-Developing-Skills-Fine-Sewing/dp/1561582646/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235926873&sr=8-1

2) "The Zapp method of couture sewing" by Anna Zapp http://www.amazon.com/Zapp-Method-Couture-Sewing-Garments/dp/0873496817/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235926945&sr=1-1

3) "Shirts" DVD series by Margaret Islander https://islandersewing.hostasaurus.com/Islander2005/prod-detail.php?pr_id=414

I looked up some patterns. There are many of them available. Pretty much every pattern company has a variation of shirt pattern.

Plain and Simple Superfantastic Shirt by Hop Patterns


Classic Nouveau Firt to Be Tied Shirt by Hot Patterns


Classic Nouveau Great White Shirt by Hot Patterns


Metropolitan Ctiterion Blouse by Hot Patetrns


Liberty and Hubiscus Shirts by Sewing Workshop


Butterick B5328


Butterick B5300


Vogue 7700


Vogue 1033


McCall 5433


McCall 4079


Neu Mode 22848


Butterick 6085

Nata - Thanks for all the information and pattern suggestions. You've got my "creativity juices" going! I've got two pieces of SB fabric in my stash which I'm considering. I could use a white shirt for the spring. And I appreciate your motivation! These Sew-alongs are fun to do a project as a group.

Hello all,

I'm new to the Salon (and to the online sewing community in general) but I've been lurking. I think I might be ready to jump in on this New Shirt for Spring sew-along if you'll have me. I have a cut of "Calvert" from SB that I might use for a short-sleeved shirt. Those rayon batiks have been calling me too, so I might try one of them on Vogue 8120. I guess there's still a little time to decide.

Looking forward to it...

-J

I'd like to join! I'm thinking a spring-time maternity shirt for me. I've said I really don't want to sew maternity stuff (and don't need to), but most of my maternity stuff is for winter, so this will be good encouragement for me to get a new top done quick! This probably won't be a classic shirt style, though. I'm thinking of Burda 8094 http://www.burdafashion.com/en/Patterns ... 16683.html or Burda 7800 http://www.burdafashion.com/en/Patterns ... 84564.html
Burda 8377 is another option, but it looks so simple, I feel like I'm cheating! http://www.burdafashion.com/en/Patterns ... 03829.html

I have a striped shirting from Sawyer Brook picked out (pretty sure it's sold out now. Just have to make sure I have enough of it.

Well, I most definitely do not have enough of the fabric I thought I had! I have less than a yard; must have been a remnant. I'll have to try to get a tank top out of it for post-baby. I'm going to purchase Mandarin Orange Stretch (http://store.sawyerbrook.com/Mandarin-O ... -297.html#) for Burda 7800 (http://www.burdafashion.com/en/Patterns ... 84566.html) for this Sew Along. I'm excited to get started! Here's the pattern and the fabric:

Jamie Liz, I am delighted to have you with us. I like your pattern choice. It has very clean lines and looks very elegant.

Jenny, I am glad to see you join as well. I actually like your last link; the one you think is too simple. I think the print makes it. It would look boring if made from solid fabric. I think you are smart to choose the second pattern for the Mandarin Orange fabric.

I did some snoop shopping for inspiration. The prices on most of these shirts were out in the clouds.

Armani (suitable for silk dupioni as well)


Armani – I though this was such a cool way to use boring navy stripes


Ralph Lauren – I believe this is iridescent taffeta made into safari shirt - interesting combination and sure to attract attention


Anthropologie – This is less expensive but I think it’s very sweet


Derek Lam – This is more office wear but the keyhole neckline adds a little extra punch to it


Foxcroft – Very basic style to showcase prints


And if you like this look, you might find inspiration in bold prints of Coldwater Creek styles: http://www.coldwatercreek.com/shirts.aspx

Jones NY – I like sleeve treatment on these shirts. This would be an easy way to make a few different looking shirts from the same pattern.


St.John – Easy to do placket treatment

Nata, thanks for saying that about the print and Burda 8377 (link a few posts below). You got my wheels turning, and I remembered I have a yard of cookie tin fabric that I don't know what to do with.

http://store.sawyerbrook.com/Cookie-Tin_p_7-909.html
That might be perfect for the simple 8377 top while I'm waiting for my orange fabric. I'll see if I can squeeze the pieces on a yard (kind of doubt it, though - the pattern calls for closer to 2).

LOL I am not the only one doing this. I spent 2 hrs on Sunday laying out a trench coat. I have 1 5/8yds and pattern calles for 2.5yds.

You might be able to make a short sleeve shirt out of 1 yd. Most definitely a cap sleeve or sleeveless. Good luck figuring it out.