Aime Comme Monsieur for Ben

 

My favourite mens shirt pattern.

Aime Comme Monsieur (While linking this pattern I noticed that the sizing has increased, previously it was only S/M/L and this is a medium. It now goes up to XXL so I may be able to make one for Jerry)

This is my 23rd version of this pattern. I have so many other shirt patterns but I always seem to pull this one out.

Ben is turning 21 and I wanted to make him something really special 

I have a roll of this crisp, Italian cotton shirting and I thought the emerald would be perfect with Ben's green eyes.

This fabric is lush to sew.

I went with green top stitching. Luckily I had the perfect shade.

I chose small, white Riverstone buttons, sturdy but elegant.

 I really like the high, shaped back yoke.

And the neat shaping at the waist.

Silly boy!

I think I should sew him some shorts next ...

In conclusion, my go to shirt for the fellows, lovely sew, good results plenty of bang for your sewing buck.

He still models like a penguin!

When I sew a gift, I like to include a wee zip lock bag with a fabric swatch and a few buttons, just in case.

Thank you for reading... xx Nicole 

OOP Simplicity 6477 Shirt for Matilda

Most years, right about now, I am usually frantically sewing for our Victorian Holiday 

Fab Five at Erskine Falls

But not this year.

Corona virus has turned everyones lives upside down so I certainly not going to whinge about missing an interstate holiday.

Me, 34 weeks pregnant with Trixie, at Erskine Falls.

As we are mainly at home, going out clothes really are not necessary.

But Tilly asked me if I could still make her a posh outfit.

We decided on an unlined blazer, dungarees with removable bib and a shirt!

Matilda loved how grown up this shirt was. I was a little concerned about the pointy collar but she was adamant she wanted it and it would look amazing with her blazer collar (it does).

Tildy chose some very pretty poplin from Spotlight.
It is a beautiful quality, very crisp and so lovely to sew.

I used to be quite snobby about one piece collars and blouses/shirts without a back yoke.
Which is daft!
This shirt has a gorgeous shape.

I added side vents to give Tildy a bit more derrière room.
Vents also looks great on a shirt that can be worn as a jacket over shorts and a tee, in warmer weather.

Matilda is ALL about the sleeve.
She chose to have the 'puff' sleeve and the gathers are divine.

The collar is very pointy, I really wanted to trim it back a bit but Tildy was adamant.

And it does look great over the blazer lapels.

I have a little trick for getting a one piece collar to behave like a two piece collar.
Simply trim the 'neck band' from the 'collar'. Trim about 1/2 cm (save this for stabilising t-shirt shoulder seams) and then press to the collar piece, leaving a clear gap between the two.

Sew the collar up with your preferred method and then topstitch along the un-interfaced strip.
This really encourages the collar to sit nicely.

The shirt looks equally lovely under her knitted vest (from Aunty Sarvi)

They are hard to see but there are shoulder darts which give a nice shape.

~My Verdict~
This pattern is perfect on Matilda. I have said it once and I will say it again, the drafting was so much  better on the patterns from the 1960's-70's.

I find once you get to the mid 80's onwards the fit is very sloppy and boxy. (In my opinion)
Whenever I see shoulder darts I know I am going to get a good sew.

I sewed this pretty faithfully to the instructions although I did add another thin layer of interfacing (on top of the interfaced self facing) where the buttons and button holes are stitched.

I did move the button placement too.
This is not unusual, I usually decide the chest button placement and work from there.

This was a fairly relaxed, five hour sew. I made Matilda the size 10, one size per packet, and I am on the hunt for a size 12.

If you find it, please let me know!

~Matilda's Verdict~
I absolutely love the white details of the flowers. I love the emerald colour.
It looks really, really cool with my blazer and trousers.
I LOVE the sharp corners (points NMK) of the collar, It gives me a Star Trek, space explorer feeling, I haven't watched Star Trek but it gives me that feeling.
I love the shaped hem, it adds to its character.
My favourite bit is the collar, it looks really, really cool.
The tiny sleeve puff is SO cute.

Thank you for reading...
                                           xxx Nicole 

PS It also came in handy for Book Week, Matilda went as Miss Honey, from Roald Dahls book, Matilda!

OOP Butterick 3217 Shirt for Jed

I made Jed another Liberty shirt.

But I am not so sure about this pattern any more...

I have made Jed three of these and originally was very happy with the fit.

The oversize boxy fit gave him tummy room without being huge in the shoulders.

The style worked well in lawn as it has good ease.

But the last one I made is just not right.

The collar is lovely, the sleeves are good but the tummy is just not covering anymore.
I think my pattern shrunk ;)

The shirt has rounded sides and I have noticed his tummy shows when he puts his arms up.

So I think it may be time to look for a new pattern!

I picked up Kwiksew 3883 during the last Spotlight sale, so I will try that in a inexpensive gingham.

If that doesn't suit I may try the Vado custom fit.

~My Verdict~
I was so disappointed with this shirt. Jed doesn't have many things sewn for him and I want him to feel smart, confident and comfortable when we go out.

There is no fault with the pattern, it just doesn't suit us anymore.

~Jed's Verdict~
I should try it on again now that I have lost 10 kilos (CSIRO program).
It's a nice shirt, the fabric is comfy made by a professional, sexy seamstress (ba ha ha NMK)

Thank you for reading 
                                     xx Nicole