More Shirts, More Dolls -- Wow!

OK, was I like, not supposed to post this fabulous photo recently uploaded to the Men's Sew-Along Flickr group just because it can already be seen on the blog of Canadian sew-alongette and Mom-of-adorable-boy-model, Sony?

Let Sony have her attorneys contact my attorneys.

Sony is one of those annoyingly creative sewers who don't only have superb skills but also exquisite taste.  When Sony finds a spare moment in her busy day raising her own children, she whips up things like this for her friends' kids.

And -- as if you couldn't guess -- she knits too, inventively.

Naturally, Sony also writes, cooks, and does photography, all beautifully archived on her charming blog, Sewing Roots.  Friends, what are we going to do about the Sony's of the world?

I wasn't much happier to see this exquisite creation in our Sew-Along Flickr group, which looks like it was ripped out of a Barney's window display created by Simon Doonan.  What's up with that? 



To his credit, at least talented Edsel doesn't have a blog -- yet.

Moving on, the Vinyls were all set to play tennis today.



But it's raining hard, so no go.  New outfits for nothing!



Earlier, I'd dug out my Sterilite plastic toy box and look what I found:  Skooter, shoeless and still dressed for a party she attended -- at the Dream House, no doubt -- forty-five years ago.  There's something slightly Miss Havisham-esque about this pre-teen.



A Malibu Barbie I picked up who knows where, who could use a bath.



And this lovely brunette Sixties Barbie my dear departed friend and Barbie collector Kurt gave me many years ago.





It may be time to get Barbie a Sixties mod dress (no Seventies fringe, Lauriana -- promise!) and some shoes.

Meanwhile, two new Kens will be joining the family later this week.  I think this a Malibu Ken -- or Melanoma Ken -- I'm not sure.  What a tan!



And also a Live Action Ken (without his bandstand, alas).  I don't have a good pic of him yet but who couldn't use a little live action in their lives?  (see video  below)

That's it, kids!  I have a lot of sewing and net gathering to do this week as well as continued Men's Shirt Sew-Along nagging.   Busy, busy, busy!

Happy Monday, everybody!
 

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BREAKING -- We interrupt this crinoline...

Readers, I can't explain it.  Ever since formally ending the Men's Shirt Sew-Along on Monday, shirt photos have been pouring in over at our Flickr group.  Obviously reverse psychology, emotional manipulation, and veiled threats work!

Pictured above is Taylor, a young Sew-Along participant from Nashville, TN.  Do you see Taylor's muslin?  He drafted it himself.  No Negroni, Butterick, or vintage McCall's for him, oh no!

But that's not all.  Do you see his jeans?  He drafted THOSE himself too!



So awesome did his jeans turn out, in fact, that in January they were featured on the popular men's fashion blog, Put This On.  You can read more about Taylor, his jeans, and his other too-good-to-be-true projects on his blog, TaylorTailor.

But I certainly didn't want to make this all about Taylor.  In fact, if I weren't so non-competitive, generous-spirited, and loving a person, I wouldn't have mentioned him at all.  (Taylor who?)  I need another drag...

But back to our Sew-Along...

OK, readers, this is not a still from Night of the Living Tablecloths, but an incredible muslin produced by participant Kamilee.  Wow and pass the ketchup.



And speaking of picnics, I'm very fond of this lovely gingham Negroni produced by SewRedHot.  I could swear my Allan doll -- which I am hoping to receive today -- has the exact same shirt though his facings are terrycloth.  And he doesn't have that sexy salt and pepper beard...



But there's more!

Put on your 3-D glasses and feast your eyes on this fabulous creation by Sewsister, which apparently represents the actual conception of Lindsay Lohan as seen under an electron microscope.



I am so proud of all the Sew-Alongers, and the many courageous men who braved the unforgiving glare of the flash cube so that these unique creations could be recorded for posterity -- albeit without heads.  And remember, folks: these are just the muslins!

I'll be posting more shirts in the coming weeks, you can be sure.

A big hug to you all!



(photo courtesy of swreflection).

And now, back to The Tulle That Ate My Living Room, already in progress.



Have a great day, everybody!

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Men's Shirt Sew-Along 18 -- So Long, Sew-Along + The Men of Negroni!

Readers, today's final Men's Shirt Sew-Along post is dedicated to our Sew-Along participants.

Would you believe that the shirt above, sewn by Dan from Down Under, is the first garment he has ever sewn?  Or so he claims -- I'm having my staff do some undercover research, so Dan may be getting unexpected home visits today from Fuller Brush men, Avon ladies, and a social worker from the local child welfare agency.

Seriously though, what an amazing garment Dan's made -- and this is just the muslin.  You can be sure I'll be posting his final shirt, made entirely from his recycled Y-front briefs.  Remarkable!

Here's another muslin-to-die-for, created in hand-dyed batik by yet another Aussie sewist, Thornberry.  Is this not remarkable?  It's like a wearable Jackson Pollack -- gorgeous! 



Hip Massachusetts Mom Jackie made this lovely muslin, one of the very best fitting so far, imo.  (Be still my heart!)



Portland, Oregon's own Caitlin created this lovely gray Negroni for hirsute hubby Patrick.  What a great job and you should see the constrasting inner cuffs.



Friends, this is just the tip of the iceberg.  Final shirts are coming in daily and will continue to do so for some time, especially with some healthy nagging on my part.  Let's go, people!

Please visit our Flickr group for pics of more great garments and the hunky he-men who wear them.  Ladies, I know your men are often shy in front of a camera, but please do whatever it takes to get them dressed and photo archived.  Do it for the shirt makers of tomorrow.

Here's a secret: I may actually add pockets to Negroni 3 later today; I feel left out.



In closing, Sew-Alongers, if you keep sewing, I'll keep posting highlights.  Shirt-related questions, as always, can continue to be posted in our Flickr group, and I'll keep reading and responding.

Thanks to everybody who participated -- what a great bunch you are!

So...what shall we sew-along next?  Anyone up for Y-front briefs?

Have a great day, everybody!

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Men's Shirt Sew-Along 17 -- Penultimate Post and Negroni 3 REVEAL!

Loyal Sew-Alongers, Sew-Alongettes, and others, it's nearly time to say good-bye to our first-ever MPB Men's Shirt Sew-Along.

The parting will be painful of course but you will discover there is life after sleeve plackets and camp collars; there must be.  Rest assured that the sewing, posting, critiquing, and cheering can continue in our Flickr group, which will live on long after the formal Sew-Along packs up and moves on. 

I finished Negroni 3 yesterday and am quite happy with it, though my mother judged my fabric choice "silly."  She was impressed with Michael's muslin, however (you'd think he'd made it).  I believe it is quite normal for a mother to show a slight preference for all things son-in-law-related over the son. There's just less baggage.

And speaking of baggage -- look who'll soon be joining the clutter family here at MPB Inc!





Ken's friend Allan and Allan's extensive wardrobe should arrive in the mail this week and what fun we'll have digging through it.  Maybe I'll invite Sassy Lassy over for a play date!

But back to Negroni.

Yesterday I added the cuffs, which came out nicely.  I had no trouble with the fold-down-outer-edge-at-3/8", stitch-other-side-to-sleeve-at-1/4" instructions but I know many people did.  Either way we're talking the difference of 1/8", which is meant (I think) to compensate for the turning right side out and folding over, do you know what I mean?  I think the hardest part is positioning the cuff on the inside of the sleeve and stitching without catching the other side.  It is for me at least.





You'll notice that instead of a single deep sleeve pleat I created two smaller ones, a look I prefer.  I also hemmed the shirt, rolling up at roughly 1/4" and stitching and then rolling and stitching again.

And here it is!







As I mentioned yesterday, I decided to leave off the pockets, which I think look better on a heavier fabric with a less busy pattern.  It does lose of a bit of it's Negroni-ness, but that's OK.  On this shirt I prefer it.   More Negroni 3 pics here.

Friends, I think I am ready to put away my Negroni pattern for the time being; I have a crinoline to make.

You guys have created made some wonderful shirts and truly challenged yourselves with fit and finish.  Tomorrow we'll recap our journey, share a few canapes and some Diet Pepsi, and call it a Sew-Along.

Have a great day, everybody, and happy stitching!

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Saturday Smorgasbord with a side of Sew-Along

Friends, my mind is beginning to wander.  I've been sewing shirts for nearly three weeks now.  It's not like I have ADD or anything, I'm just tired of thinking about men's shirts -- and I suspect so are many of you.
Yesterday I starting attaching sleeves on what I am currently calling Negroni 3.



By the afternoon things were looking good.



You'll notice I've left off the pockets.  It doesn't need them.

I didn't interface my left front facing but when I tested my buttonholer on two layers of my thin cotton baby-print shirting I realized that the fabric needed more support, so I added a strip of weft weight interfacing, which did the job.  I think the facings on this shirt are a little too wide, don't you?





I didn't flat-fell my armscye.  I'm all about shortcuts at this point. 



Meanwhile, in glamour-girl-gone-bad land, I think I've found the perfect pattern for what henceforth will be known as the Cathy Comeback dress.  I'll probably make View C -- the middle version shown here (in black) without the peplum.



I'm not exaggerating when I say I have looked at hundreds of vintage poofy dress patterns.  There are a gazillion variations.  Have no fear, vintage fans, there are more than enough of these 50-year-old patterns still available to last many lifetimes.  When these pattern companies spotted a trend, they didn't mess around.

I found myself gravitating toward the circa 1959 bouffant, which seems to have been a very good year for big skirts.  I like the Vogue neckline more than the Butterick below, don't you?  Too Sandra Dee in Imitation of Life.



I haven't ruled out the wiggle dress or sheath.  (It's weird how many patterns of the period include both -- they're so opposite.)

I have about three yards of oyster cotton sateen and a yard of black in my stash, and I was thinking of making something like this, with the rose print worked in as skirt, coat lining, and maybe matching headband.  This is from 1964, not my favorite period but one I think would be flattering to my cousin who, let's face it, is not wasp-waisted.



OK, is this not the EXACT SAME PATTERN?  (When you start noticing things like this you've looked at too many patterns.)



I think a dress made entirely of the red rose pattern is a bit much and maybe not all that fun.  Perhaps a satin opera coat with rose print lining?  This is sounding suspiciously like a vintage Barbie outfit.
 

And speaking of...

I am hoping to find some Ken clothes at the flea market this weekend.  I'm visualizing a big plastic Ziploc bag containing Ken's entire early Sixties wardrobe for $5.  Won't you visualize it with me?

Folks, we're out of time.  I'm off to go doll clothes shopping.  You?

Happy Saturday, everybody!

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Men's Shirt Sew-Along 16 -- New and Final Negroni with Alterations

Friends, it may seem hard to believe, but we're now in the final portion of our Men's Shirt Sew-Along, which started February 1.  I can't remember when we weren't sewing shirts together.  Which reminds me -- Have you started yet?

First we learned how to construct the Negroni shirt according to the original instructions, and created a muslin, or for some, a very wearable practice garment.

Next, I showed you how to turn the Negroni shirt, which has a one-piece camp collar, into a more traditional dress shirt with collar stand and collar and front button placket. 

Finally, we reviewed some basic alterations, which we'll continue today as I begin my third and final version of the Negroni with my new floral fantasy fashion fabric.

This last Wednesday I talked about the alterations Kenneth King guided me through to address a sloping shoulder, using my vintage Butterick men's shirt pattern, 4712.

Today, I'd like to share the alterations we made to the Negroni pattern.  The overall fit of the size Small wasn't bad, but the shoulder seam was past my true shoulder -- a common problem, I'm noticing -- which is the pivot point at the top of the shoulder.  We narrowed the shoulder width -- which meant making changes to the front, the back, and yoke, AND the sleeve.



In the photo above, the area of shading is the portion of the old shoulder seam that will be transferred to the sleeve cap -- this is what Kenneth refers to as "no net change," i.e., no actual fabric is being subtracted, but rather transferred to a new area.  The new seam line is marked in purple and blue (to which a seam allowance will be added).

Now look at the new sleeve:



The shaded portion is what was transferred from shoulder to sleeve cap. 

Look at the difference in the width of the yokes -- the new yoke on top, the old yoke below.



A subsequent change was to raise the armhole slightly, based on my preference.



This resulted in a narrower armhole and meant shortening the sleeve circumference, which we did by slicing the sleeve piece in the center and lapping one side over the other until the measurements were roughly equal, with 1/2" extra length in the sleeve as ease.   Retraced it looks like this:



We'll see how this turns out.

I am now working on my new version, and I invite you to follow my progress here.  The photos may serve as a reminder of how the Negroni is constructed and provide new views of some of the techniques we used in making our muslin.







Friends, that's it for today.  As always, there are exciting new versions of Negroni, as well as shirts made from other patterns, appearing daily in our Flickr group.  If you have questions about fit, please post photos of your muslins there.

In other news, bouffant dress fans will be happy to hear that I was able to snag another four yards of my $2/yd. rose print (which makes seven all together) which should be more than enough for a poofy party dress for Cathy or play clothes for the the entire Von Trapp family. 



Have a great day, everybody!

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