Shirt Making
Last week I finished a blouse for me. I posted about it over at The Sewing Divas and at PatternReview.com where thankfully it was well received. I hesitate to post at PatternReview because I have to do all my own photography and it’s not always Pretty! But I took the plunge and it worked out OK this time.
One of the commentors at PatternReview was curious to see a photo of the button spacing because I wrote about it but didn’t not originally publish a photo of the button spacing.
The first button down the front is 1 1/4″ from the collar band so that it can be buttoned with a nice and modest spread to the collar. The second and third buttons are 3 1/4″ apart so that the third is exactly placed horizontally between the bust points, preventing the dreaded gaposis. The rest of the buttons down the front are 3 9/16″ apart and end 2″ above the hemline so that the blouse can be worn untucked and neat. Unfortunately I didn’t pay much attention and took the photo before I had ironed in the hem. Details, details!
Shirt making is all about details. I love to make shirts
But I don’t always review the patterns I use or post photos of each and every project. I have many more that are unpublished.
However…
I also love to read about fine shirt making and see others work. So that brings me to my two favorite shirt makers in the whole world: David Page Coffin and Pam Erny’s blog Off The Cuff ~Sewing Style~.
Pam posted a wonderful tutorial on making fast and perfect flat felled seams on her blog Off The Cuff ~Sewing Style~ yesterday.
If you like to make one-of-a-kind shirts you’ll appreciate Pam’s work. She posts clear tutorials, professional results and innovative styles.
If you have missed checking out this great blog, go see!
Oh, and no, I have no affiliation with her beyond being an unabashed fan. 
This work is licensed under a 
I can see why you love to make shirts. You do it so perfectly! If you’re not aware, there is a brand new sew along at PR called “The Great White Shirt Sew Along”. I would love to see you sign up and give us some epert advise.
Gwen
June 22, 2009
Hi Gwen: Thanks for the invite! I did go look at the thread. I do have white shirts on my mind so we’ll see what develops. Right now I am making summer pants and have misplaced my TNT pattern (ack…) so the process is slower than it should be.
Mary Beth
June 23, 2009
Thanks for the link to Pam’s blog – I’d not seen it, and there is some great information there.
And, do you recall which pattern you used for the floral blouse with the front ruffle?
All your shirts look great.
Marji
June 23, 2009
Hi Marji: I reviewed this pattern last summer at The Stitchery Vogue 8252 and here, View A and at PatternReview here
Lately, Vogue’s shirt and blouse patterns have been a tad too tight through the back and definitely in the sleeves, so beware! This pattern is now OOP though.
Mary Beth
June 23, 2009
Thanks for showing these. I love that flowered one with the wide french cuffs and all the buttons! What a great detail.
Summerset
June 23, 2009
Beautiful shirts! I love reading about them too!
Meredith P
June 26, 2009
Wow these are all beautiful. I love to make shirts for my husband…he wears them with so much pride
I have to agree with you Pam’s blog is awesome!
I have David Coffin’s book and I’d also like to get the Shirt making DVD.
http://www.amazon.com/Shirtmaking-Techniques-David-Page-Coffin/dp/1600850774/ref=pd_sim_b_8
Ann's Fashion Studio
June 27, 2009