Looking for pattern and fabric

Well, the shirt is easy. All you need is a traditional menswear shirt pattern, and just leave the collar off; finish the stand as a collar. I'd try some regular fabric stores first for the fabric, and if you don't find them there, try a search engine with shirting fabrics for the topic.

Teri

That band collar is a bit shorter than the stand-up part of a regular collar. I already made that mistake in the past. Also, from the feel of the shirt I saw on the rack last night, there is very little fabric folded up inside that collar from the seam allowance (another mistake I made on a past shirt). The collar was very flat. I'd have to work with that.

And I assume I could just lengthen the sleeves by whatever amount I'd be shortening the cuff.

Most local fabric stores don't really have enticing (for a guy) striped shirting like those shown. I know they're simple patterned cloth, but for men's stuff, the pickings are slim. I'm not just talking about Joanns and Hancocks. I MIGHT be able to find something at Britex in SF. But I'll pay. Stone Mountain in Berkeley sometimes has some stuff, but still, things for men are slim.

Yeah, you're right, I could probably find some suitable shirting online. Guess I never had the right pattern idea to focus on some of the stuff out there.

Dear Doofy,

I think you meant the depth of the stand, rather than the length. It has to overlap and come at the edge of the shirt. If I'm interpreting you right, all you have to do is make the stand shorter. And what you felt inside the collar is the fact that RTW uses different seam allowances--in this case either 3/8 or 1/4 inch. To shorten the depth of the stand, shave off 1/4 inch at a time til you like the look. Use some scrap fabric to test until you're satisfied. You can then make a permanent pattern to use over and over. Don't forget to interface.

Teri

Duh, also leave out the interfacing. I forgot about that. I don't think there was interfacing in the collar I was feeling last night. No need for it I guess, since it doesn't have to stand. or am I wrong?

Yes, I meant the depth of the stand.

You probably couldn't feel it because it was fused to the outside. Yeah, you always need interfacing in details like this, or you'll end up looking wilted before you get out the door. I went looking for shirting for you and found several similar at vogefabricsstore.com. This store is in Chicago, and is one of those places you can go and spend a whole day just looking and feeling fabrics. Hope you find what you want. I used "shirting fabrics" in my search, and that's the only one is stopped to look at. There was a nice long list. And if you want really good stuff and want to look abroad, I'll bet you can find some really good ones in London.

Teri

My problem has always been not putting stiff enough interfacing in my collars.

It's a basic man's shirt but without the collar. Perhaps one of these could be modified to work:

Woven shirting:

Beverly

Well, not London, but...

I have a whole slew of samples of the most lovely shirtings from Acorn:

yow, nice stuff.

Please, do NOT feed me straight lines like that.

Try sniffing it! I love the smell of new cotton fabric...

Nicey but pricey. But I've bookmarked it.

Here is a similar basic style, different collar & cuffs which would need to be altered. Take off the pocket & it might work!

It is a good thing you brought this up, I have been meaning to find a pattern for shirts for my DH. he is all shoulders and no height! So hard to fit.

Michelle

Here is a similar basic style, different collar & cuffs.

No link. Do you know how to adapt a pattern to fit your husband? You probably do already. If I could do it, anyone could.

Never been there. Never heard of it. I used to live in that area, but didn't sew at the time.

Have you seen the book "Shirtmaking" by David Coffin Page put out by Taunton Books? It has an excellent list of suppliers (in both the US and UK) in the back and is well worth reading if you ever want to make any shirt for male or female. Probalby available at a library for loan if you dont' want to buy it.

My only quibble with this book is that he mentions liquid starch rather than real dry starch.