My first shirts!

Serge You did great job on them both. Your lucky to have such a fine coach. By the way I also love the picture on the wall in the background. Looks very Audrey Hepburn. Juno

Very impressive. You did a really good job, and your choice of fabrics really sets off the style. Wear them in good health.

Awww, thanks Juno (and everyone else that replied). I appreciate the comments from such an accomplished group. I won't tell you how long they took to make; I work very slowly, and one thing that he taught me was to hand baste everything before taking it to the machine. It adds time, but I think, in the end it's worth it. He had me make a toile first, and we made changes to that; then he made a pattern from the toile in about 15 minutes while I watched, dumbfounded!

Isn't that picture great? It's one of a set of four vintage fashion photos that my designer-friend gave me. All very elegant and 1940s and yes, it could be Audrey, couldn't it?

Dear Serge,

Really good job. I'm very impressed. The pic on the wall is a Dior "new look" from the forties. It's not Audrey--she would have been too young. I'd recognize the face if I saw her in another pose.

Teri

Amazingly fine job for a first! Unless I'm mistaken, you even matched the pattern along the front lap and on the pocket of the blue shirt. Well done!!!

Beverly

Ain't that funny, as I was looking, I too was taken with the picture. And yes Audrey Hepburn went through my mind!

Oh, VERY fine! Love the prints, too. I like quilting cottons for clothing, as they last well.

Thanks for the information on the print Terri,It's beautiful. I love the old fashion prints. Juno

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I'm no expert but thety look great and well tailored to.

I like the label too ;)

I was wondering if i should put such labels in my stuff and now i am convinced to do so

robb

When ever possible you should label what you make. My granddaughters always ask where the labels are if I forget to put them in. Sometimes I put them on the bottom hem if I think they might be scratchy. Juno

I like both your shirtss! Barbara in FL

Thanks. It was hard to find a simple label with my choice of wording, typeface and colors, but I did.

Congratulations! You did great on both shirts, from where I stand. I began sewing when I was a youngster, I am past my mid-70s now, and doubt I could improve much on them; Love the blue Japanese print. Emily

Whoo hoo Serge!!!!!! Nice work! Very well done. I'm very proud of you, those do not at all look like beginner projects. Wear them in good health. And I wish you, many times over, the thrill of saying "Thank you. I made it myself." when someone compliments you on your fabulous shirt.

Sharon

Thanks, Beverly. And, yes I did match the pattern. I enjoy being meticulous. And soon, I hope, I'll be able to make a real dress shirt!

After sewing the toile using pins, I even (at the suggestion of my friend) hand-basted everything. For me, it made a huge difference. At first I thought he was being a pain, but I soon learned that if something doesn't look right, it's a lot easier to rip out hand basting and do it over than rip out machine stitching!

Aha, another "Lover of Matching Patterns". I am also a member of that exclusive club. :-}

Judging by your work on these two "first shirts", you'll be ready for that step soon.

Whatever works best for you is "best for you". I very rarely hand baste, usually only if the fabric is easily damaged and will not stand up to the occasional ripping out. If I am not sure about a fitting issue, I just machine baste with 6-stitches-to-the-inch. That's easy to rip out. But stick with what works for YOU! ;-)

Beverly