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Sewing Skulls

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SWAP #5:  McCall’s 6436, size 16, D cup, skull print cotton chambray from Weaver Dee

Skulls Light Blue 4 oz Denim Chambray Fabric

I took three inches off the length of this [after cutting it out and JUST Squeezing it out of the fabric.  Why do I never think about length before I start?  Ridiculous.

Apart from that, no changes.  All went very well…until I was adding interfacing to the collar and cuff pieces, and managed to slice into the collar itself.  Both layers. Fortunately, not being one to bin any scraps, I had  JUST enough left to squeak out another, and went on my merry way.

This is a nice pattern, I’ve used it before for the missus in pin-tucked black linen.  [Which she has hardly worn- we re-thought it this morning and realised it needs major shortening in body and sleeves to fit her current preferences.  Dammit.]

My only quibbles- there’s a two piece sleeve, apparently for the express purpose of leaving a cuff opening.  Next time I will cut it as a single sleeve and use the tower placket from Folkwear’s Western shirt, the best placket in the universe [I appear to have done this for the linen version, no idea why I reverted this time, hey ho.]  I used French seams throughout, other than the armscye [which I pinked], and they don’t play well with an opening like this.  The collar and cuffs are quite deep, which I like.  I used tiny buttons so put two on each cuff.

This is one of those patterns where you have to spend a little faff time to get the collar to fit the neck edge without any puckering, but with some stay stitching, extra pins and basting, I did it.  Same with the sleeves, they seem WAY too big at first to fit without any mention of gathering or easing, but persevere, they will give in eventually!

I really like this one, and will be cutting out some more immediately, as after years of shirt-dodging, I’m feeling the need for some.  I’ll check the length first though- I think this could still lose another bit of length, what do you think?

 

15 thoughts on “Sewing Skulls”

  7. Great combination of the relatively traditional shirt with the funky fabric. The length looks good especially at the back possibly an inch, maybe two, off the front. My personal preference is for a shirt front midway between hip and crotch with a more pronounced shirt tail. It is a bit difficult to tell precisely where yours ends.

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  8. You look wonderful in this ! I love the skulls! If you make a notation on your pattern what your changes are (the bodice length, sleeve, placket etc.) If possible include a copy of the sleeve pattern you prefer so you don’t have to root around looking for it & the placket instructions.
    So much easier than trying to find the part you need when you need it & running the risk it’s not in with the original pattern or the entire pattern package has disappeared. I’ve learned the hard way that things vanish only to show up again after you’ve completed cutting & have no fabric left to do it the way you originally wanted. 😯

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    1. good advice lol I’m PRETTY good these days at putting pattern pieces where they belong, I only have one or two bits in the all-purpose-pile to be reunited! The Folkwear placket needs to have several copies made, so I can keep them pinned to my big pinboard over the sewing table…I am totally CRAP at remembering to write down any changes, mainly because I’ve rarely found that I’m still the same size or shape when I remake things. Sigh. Ever increasing unfortunately

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  9. Oh yeah..I think most of us can relate to ruining a collar or cuff…perhaps cutting two of the same pieces. I think I have the hi-lo pattern similar to this one which I just alter to make standard shirts.

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