Red Scissor Shirt

I have had this red material with scissors on it for quite a while, probably about 6 months.  It was always earmarked for a 3/4 length sleeve shirt.  After we got the Singer 206 back up and running I decided I would make this shirt up on it.  I used my usual shirt pattern, Butterick 6085 in a size 10 with adjustments and no darts.  Below are pictures.

After the collar insertion

Seam finishing using the overlocker

The bottom hem

Topstitching

The scissor buttons

From the front.

Instead of spending forever trying to figure out how to make a buttonhole for scissor shaped buttons, I fastened the shirt with press-studs and stitched the scissors on top.  The sleeves have a slit in them and above each slit I stitched another scissor button.  While the weather is probably not quite right for this shirt yet, when it is, I'll have it ready!

Today is also the birthday of an actress from a film I rather like.  The actress is Donna Reed and the film is It's A Wonderful Life, which was lent to me by a friend, much to my pleasure.

A Christmas Shirt

Unfortunately I did not finish my shirt in time for last Sunday however I had a good time on that day.  I ended up catching up with a relative for lunch after I finished volunteering and we had a nice lunch together before I did some more shopping.  During the week following I managed to complete the shirt and it is shown below.

Other than the buttonholes I sewed the entire thing on the Vesta with seam finishing by the overlocker as I find that to be the most effective with garments like shirts that I wear a lot.

I cut a self facing 6cm wide with the sleeves and turned it up and top stitched, I'm quite happy with the results.

I chose light green buttons as they were the best match I could find.  The collar turned out much better than I expected it to, even though I try hard my collars are a little hit and miss.

The buttonholes were stitched on the Singer 306.  There is no buttonhole setting you have to manually adjust the width and direction but if you have the patience and nerves it makes a lovely buttonhole.

In other news I brought this lovely ring home from work today, I'm considering buying it as I really like it.  It is German, Sterling Silver and marcasite apparently.

Finished Projects

Today I'm showcasing two finished projects!

The first is the blue shirt I was making on the Godfrey, it fits very nicely and I really like it!

From the front

Close up of collar and buttons

Close up of sleeve slits

These were the first sleeve slits I had made and I was very happy with how they turned out.  I made the buttonholes on a Singer buttonhole attachment for straight stitch machines but not with the Godfrey.  The Godfrey decided buttonhole attachments were simply awful and made its feelings felt.  I ended up using an Alfa instead.

The second finished project is the blue rose print top.  I bought the material just over a year ago, knowing exactly what I wanted to make with it, it just took me forever to get around to it.  I used an old Style pattern (the number of which escapes me) but added buttons down the front and contrasting binding on the sleeves.  I know it looks really shapeless but when it's on it isn't as bad.  I wear it with a belt or tucked into my trousers.

From the front

Buttons

Binding and the best likeness of the actual material!

I know I never posted pictures of the finished Galactic Satin dress, maybe I'll get around to that too!

A New Shirt

I am desperately in need of 3/4 length sleeve shirts.  I find they are the best at this time of year.  However I don't have a lot of time to actually make any but last week I finally made one.  I used Butterick 6085 which I have had for years and made in 3 sizes.  Size 8 normally fits me best but I wanted a looser shirt so that I could move in it, so I made a size 10.  The pattern has a range of views, mostly just added to the same pattern pieces so I was able to mix and match with ease.  I made the 3/4 length sleeves and put darts in the back but none in the front.  I really don't like the curved hems on shirts, I tuck my shirts into my trousers and wavy hems always escape.  So, I evened out the pattern edge as well.

Unfortunately my Dad borrowed my camera before I finished the shirt, so I have some pictures of the construction but not many.  Below is the pattern envelope.

I have lately been watching Peter and his skill in shirt making and as I normally have difficulty getting a nice collar I decided to be really careful like he is.  I even marked the turning points for the stitching of the collar pieces!

I have to say it turned out much better than usual, all the pieces were the same length when I'd finished too!

For sewing I used the Godfrey, a Singer 15 clone.  It is not working quite right, I think something is wrong in the bobbin area.

As I am a very shirt loving person I also wear vests on top when the weather gets colder.  I was given two of my Grandmother's vests last year and only got around to washing them today.  I think they are beautiful!

In other news, I got a new machine at work yesterday, so tomorrow I should be able to post pictures of that too.