Finished Project: Colorblocked Linden

Happy New Year! I have a little backlog of finished projects to share, but instead of picking up with them in order, I'll share the most recent one I completed, since it's fresh!

The Linden Sweatshirt pattern by Grainline Studio has been hanging out in my pattern stash for a while and this month I was finally inspired to sew it up as a Christmas gift for my sister. I'd toyed with making an Ogden Cami but kept dragging my feet until I realized it just didn't seem right. I'm sure you've seen other bloggers make the Linden as a gift, since it's pretty forgiving fit-wise and quick and satisfying to sew.

I grabbed two different pontes from my fabric stash. The black and white striped one is more stable and less stretchy than the lighter weight teal. I knew I wanted to use the stretchier teal for at least the neckband (otherwise I'd need to make the neckband longer to account for the lower stretch percentage of the striped ponte), and then opted to avoid extra side-seam stripe-matching by also using it for the back. The cuffs seemed a little small, so I figured they should go with the stretchier fabric, too. To avoid things getting too scrunchy and tight around the waist, I used a split-hem variation, with Jen's quick tutorial.  I prefer this look to a traditional sweatshirt hem anyway.

In reading through the pattern instructions, I could not, for the life of me, seem to find the seam allowance noted anywhere. I had a feeling it would be smaller than your traditional 5/8" since it's intended for knits. The only mention of the SA I found was in the "Sewing with Knits" section, under "Using a Serger" where it notes 1/4".  I used a sewing machine with a tiny zig-zag stitch for the entire thing, and a 1/4" SA. Also of note, in using Jen's tutorial for the split hem effect, follow her advice and make the back band significantly wider when you're cutting out (if you like that look where the back flap extends further down than the front). I only extended mine about half an inch, which turned out to be hardly noticeable once the thing was folded and sewn together.

Now that I've finally tried out this pattern, I'm looking forward to making one for myself! I have some classic (boring but soft!) grey french terry that I bought at Mood to copy Sallie way back when, and even got the matching ribbing. Hopefully I'll FINALLY get cracking on that soon. For now, here's a photo of my lovely sister modeling her Linden for us.

Less-selfish Sewing

Thanks for sticking with me! I have a completed wearable muslin (read: round 1 finished project -- round 2 is soon to come!) for my Elisalex Dress that I'll be sharing here shortly. In the meantime, I've also started the planning and supplies-gathering stages for another project: something decidedly less selfish than an unnecessary sparkly party dress.

Historically, I've remained squarely on the selfish side of the sewing spectrum, only really devoting my sewing time to making things for myself (except for a brief attempt at men's shirt-making in 2012, that was quickly abandoned amid head-scratching and fitting challenges). However, this Christmas, handmade gifts abounded, and the unselfish less-selfish spirit has spilled over into the new year. You may have caught me on Instagram this week dabbling in some home decor sewing for my sister, using upholstery fabric for the first time! Now we're back to apparel sewing.

M6044 

My dude's birthday is in early February, so, like you do, I've decided to make him a shirt. Since I already own McCall's 6044, I'm planning to use it, and it's been well documented as a good place to start your unselfish man-sewing. It's done its rounds on the web (like here, here, here, and here, to note a few).

My plan is to sew up a first draft out of some chambray, and use white buttons and thread to get somewhere close to this look, from j.crew.

j.crew

I like the classic style here with a simple left chest pocket (no cowboy style western detailing or lumberjack-ish pocket flaps). One of the most exciting parts of the sewing-for-someone-else experience is choosing the fabric! I went for this red chambray for this first round, to mimic the inspiration shirt.

Robert Kaufman Interweave Chambray

Hopefully there will be minimal adjustments required before I'm able to move onto the final masterpiece (thinking positively!) in this fun Cotton + Steel print. He picked the fabric out and I think it's going to be great. I really like the subtle flower print (doesn't scream FLORAL) and the color scheme.

Cotton + Steel "Mustang" Collection, Daisy

I happened upon the kit pictured below (on Craftsy.com) for a shirt dress pattern that was done in the same fabric. I grabbed this image because, inspiration-wise, I think it gives a good idea of the feel of a button-down shirt sewn with this stuff -- and also has me starting to consider thread and button colors. I'm actually thinking all Navy to match the background, so the print can do the talking. Is that boring?

Craftsy Kit

What about you guys? Have you sewn much for your friends and family?

Do you have any men's button-down shirt recommendations?