Yay, I made a shirt!!
This is the Archer shirt pattern View B from Grainline Studio and I absolutely love it!
My love for my new Archer shirt is akin to the love you have for a newborn baby. I just can’t stop looking at it and marveling at what I’m made! Not because it’s anything unique. Hundreds of people have made this shirt pattern, it’s not like I’m the first or anything, but making this represents a huge personal milestone.
I’ve finally conquered shirt-making!
It feels like a sewing rite of passage on the road to self-made wardrobe greatness!
The sewing doors that this opens are very exciting. I can now make my hubby a shirt or tackle some more interesting garments for my children. Or just make more shirts for moi!
Either way, I feel like I’ve jumped a hurdle and I’m moving forwards and it feels goood!
I made this during Archer Appreciation month December 2013 – well almost made it. I ended up finishing it off at the beginning of January but it was the Archer Appreciation fervor that got me motivated to make it in the first place.
I’d had the PDF pattern bought and downloaded for several months but was too initimitated by it to make a start on it. I’m so grateful for the Archer Appreciation drive for getting me going.
I followed Jen of Grainline Studio’s Sew-A-Long for the shirt and it made making it a breeze. The sewalong breaks the making process down into manageable chunks and holds your hand the whole way. The only tricky part for me was finishing off the collar, but even this wasn’t really difficult, I just waited until I had a chance to finish it in daylight, when I wasn’t too tired so that I could concentrate properly. I make most mistakes when I’m tired and rush things.
I really like the pattern design. The shirt isn’t too fitted, just comfortable. Also the sleeves turned out the perfect length for me. This isn’t the first shirt I’ve made but it is the first well-made shirt that I’ve made and the other patterns that I’ve tried all had sleeves that were too long.
I chose to make this first trial of the pattern in Liberty Art Fabrics tana lawn cotton because:
a) I wanted a small, busy print that would hide any mistakes I made – although this wasn’t necessary thanks to the great sew-a-long instructions!
b) Having seen so many great versions of this pattern and read so many glowing reviews, I was confident that I could go ahead and cut into some ‘good’ fabric because it seemed unlikely that I’d encounter any major fitting issues.
c) I love Liberty tana lawn cotton fabric especially for shirts! It’s easy to sew with and to cut out and it’s great for layering in the cooler months and light and cool to wear in the summer.
I bought my fabric from Shaukat online because it’s much cheaper than buying from Liberty itself. I didn’t alter anything on the pattern and the fit is really good. I did all seams as French seams.
I’ve got so many more of these shirts planned of course, this pattern is just so useful for my everyday wardrobe! It would really be a crime not to repeat it!
On another note – I’ve just finished rearranging and organising my sewing space and I think my youngest daughter is now settled in Kindergarten. So I’m rolling up my sleeves and getting ready for some serious stash-busting!
Watch out Burdastyle project page, here I come!!
Enjoy the weekend,
Christine
you SHOULD stare at it, it is perfection! that PRINT!!!
Ah thanks so much Oona! And thanks for stopping by but I hope I haven’t taken you away from Project Sewn! Can’t wait to see what you make this week!!
That’s beautiful, well done! I Love the print! I made my one out of a print too but ended up with boob roses, so on went the pockets 😀
http://cashmerette.blogspot.com/2013/05/une-chemise-parisienne.html
Hi Jenny, thanks so much! I’ve also been tripped up by dodgy print placement on things, it can be a tricky business can’t it! Nice save with the pockets!