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Show shirt

I finished a western show shirt for my daughter today. I used Suitability 3820

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made view A which has a front zipper, peaked collar and french cuffs. And when they describe the garment as "very close fitting" they're not kidding. My daughter's measurements matched up exactly to a particular size - the only modification I made was to add 2" to the sleeve length. I made the garment up in a 4-way stretch spandex blend that was black with a pattern of peacock colored foil dots. Like swimsuit material. And that's how this top fits - like a swimsuit. I used a black poly crepe for the collar and cuffs, with 1/2" rhinestone studs for the cuff buttons and I embellished the collar and cuffs with swarovski crystals. This is one pimped-out garment. This is a shirt to make a disco ball blush.

She loves it.

Construction comments:

Too-short sleeves is the number one complaint I hear about catalog shirts. What looks good with your arm at your side is going to be too short when you raise your arms, roll your shoulders forward, bend your elbows and reach forward to hold the reins. Take this into account when you're evaluating pattern modifications.

Pay attention to the seam allowances specifications. This pattern uses both 1/2" and 1/4" in various sections.

There is no mention to any sort of edge finish for the front facing. Presumably this is to avoid bulk and line, since the instructions are written for a regular sewing machine. I went ahead and serged the edge, though, because it looked ugly, and because even fused to the interfacing, the poly crepe was trying to fray.

I used a lightweight fusible interfacing for the front facing, collar and cuffs. I will probably use a heavier interfacing on the cuffs next time as they are sort of floppy when her arms are at her sides. With hands in riding position, however, everything drops into place so I'm not especially motivated to tear them off and re-do them.

And instead of using strips of fusible interfacing to stabilize the shoulder seams I used clear elastic serged into the seam.

Fit comments:

This is a very tight fit. This is basically a long-sleeved swimming suit with a collar and cuffs. For a normal snug fit, go up a size. For a more relaxed fit go for view B.

Kathleen

Reply to
Kathleen
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Reply to
Karen Maslowski

Reply to
Cheryl

I'm preparing a proposal for a Latin competition dress. This is two scraps of black nylon/Lycra as a medium for holding 3lbs of Swarovski crystals to a rather small torso! Sounds like this shirt is in the same game! ;)

Reply to
Kate Dicey

I've made that pattern, view A, and you're right, there's something wonky about the fit of the neckband. Too tall and floppy. My daughter winds up folding it under. Next time I make that one up I'm going make the neckband only half as tall. I've seen the same problem on several ready-to-wear slinkies.

I'm not sure making up a slinky in cotton sheeting is going to give you any real info on how the finished garment will fit, but I'd definitely recommend it for the vest patterns. I was going to make 4700 up for my daughter but was so disappointed in the muslin that I set it aside in favor of a Silhouettes vest pattern that was sized by cup size as well as measurement. That one turned out gorgeous with very little tweaking.

Kathleen

Reply to
Kathleen

If it's a pattern for stretch fabrics, you need to make the toile in stretch fabric also...

Reply to
Kate Dicey

Sharon

Reply to
Sharon Hays

I was thinking of sticking them straight on her skin with boob tape... ;)

Reply to
Kate Dicey

LOL!!!!!! Hey now that would make a real impression.....

Sharon

Reply to
Sharon Hays

Reply to
Cheryl

A muslin....or a mock up ..... or a rough draft. It's the garment made up in a less expensive, but similar weight and hand, fabric. In the States (where I am) it's usually called a muslin, or a mock up. For Kate, across the big water, it's a toile. You don't sound like a dummy at all. Remember the only stupid questions are the ones you don't ask! :)

Sharon

Reply to
Sharon Hays

A mock-up or experimental garment made to prove the fit and design of the garment.

Reply to
Kate Dicey

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