Sunday, June 17, 2012

A Finished Shirt...

Quote for the Day:
"Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children
 the richest inheritance.
  ~Ruth E. Renkel

Today is Father's Day in the USA.  I hope you were able to spend a little time with the fathers in your life today...either your own father or the father of your children...and let them know how much they mean to you!  

A little over a week ago I got fed up with shirts that have too-short sleeves and decided to take it upon myself to try and make some of my own.  I ordered a pattern and some fabric online, but also decided to go to Joann Fabrics, since they were having a sale.  I picked up a pattern and a piece of fabric at Joann's at a really good price, and last week I cut out and sewed it together using the Viking serger that I had picked up at the estate auction last year.

For those non-sewists out there who don't know what a serger is, it is a special sewing machine that does the nice finished seam that you see on the inside of ready-to-wear clothing. 


This is the serger...a Viking Huskylock 936. 





It's computerized and will basically do everything but make your coffee for you in the morning...and if I took it downstairs and set it up in the kitchen, it probably would even do that for me!  LOL

I must say that the serger sews very smoothly and quietly!  However, it has more buttons and whistles than I really need or will ever use, so I think I've decided to sell it. 

But...back to the shirt...


I picked up a very slinky, slippery jersey knit at Joann Fabrics.  It has been about 14 years since I've done any garment sewing and I had forgotten what a PAIN in the YOU-KNOW-WHAT it is to work with slinky knits.  It kept sliding off the cutting table and ending up in a puddle on the floor!  :(   And my pins just wanted to push the fabric around rather than actually going through it.  :( 

But I persisted and got the shirt all sewn together in one day except for the bottom hem.  I was about to throw in the towel and swear to never again try to make a piece of clothing, but then I tried on the shirt and actually liked the way it turned out...in spite of the difficulties!   Today I hemmed the bottom of the shirt so I thought I'd share a picture of it with you.  


It has it's "issues"...but those are a result of a lack of recent garment sewing experience.  I think that they are not things that will be noticed by 99.9% of the population...so I'm going to wear it!  It actually fits nicely, even though I still wish the sleeves were a tad bit longer.  (I even lengthened the sleeve by 1.5" and they STILL are a hair too short.)  

Anyway, I like the fabric and the fit, and overall am pleased with myself!  LOL

This week the fabric and pattern that I had ordered online came in the mail, so I will be trying my hand at more shirts in the future.  

Loretta 

7 comments:

  1. Hi Loretta, sewing clothes is a lost art. I don't know that I ever had it;) Although when my girls were little I did make pajamas. But I agree,the sleeves are too short, or the length is too short. When I gather up some courage, I think I am going to make some 100% cotton shirts, with buttons too:)

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  2. Your shirt looks great. I used to sew lots of clothes for myself and the kids, even a few things for DH, but it's been years (more like decades). I actually got rid of a whole chest of clothing fabrics 4 or 5 years ago. Still have a handful of pieces left but seriously doubt I'll ever make clothes again.

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  3. I actually prefer garment construction to anything. The blouse looks nice. If you use a fabric like this again you might try using basting spray instead of pins. Also, probably needed ball point pins for a knit.

    that is a tremendous machine you have there. I am not sure I could sell it. Enjoy it while you have it!

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    1. I never thought of using the basting spray. Are you suggesting using it to hold the pattern pieces on the fabric? Will the thin pattern paper come off cleanly?
      Hmmmm....

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  4. Love the shirt, Mom! It looks great on you - definitely your style! And the pattern is Beautimus!!! I remember how you used to make us matching jumper dresses when I was little! lol And do you remember the light green sleep pants that had panda's on them that you made for me just before I went to college? Well, I still have them but they have fallen apart now. But I'm keeping them and will prob cut them into squares to use in a quilt at some point. Anyways - I'm glad you're finally able to "find" some shirts that you are comfortable in!

    Love You Muches!

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    1. I took some of that leftover green flannel w/panda fabric and made a new cover for my heating pad when the old one got yucky! :) I loved making you dresses when you were little! :)

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  5. The shirt looks awesome! Turned out great! Can't believe you would be willing to sell that serger! That thing looks sweet!

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