Finished at last!!!

Yaaay!!!  I finally finished the shirt I cut out very early in June.  Yes friends, it took 2 months to complete! It took me so long it almost became a UFO.  I was sooo.... over it!!  Happily perseverance paid off  and it is now finished.  Yaaay!!!

Why did it take you so long, I hear you say! 

Well, I'm not really sure aside from life getting in the way.  But then......

First I didn't have enough interfacing.  I don't use it much but I thought the fabric was a bit flimsy and would hold its shape better if I used it.  So a trip to Spotlight was in order but it was several days before I had a chance to go.  Then I ran out of thread!  I mean really, who runs out of 'white' thread?  Mmmm...... that'd be me!

I decided to attach a trim in the seams.  Great idea, or so I thought, till I went to insert it in the sleeve/cuff.  I spent a lot of time thinking and fiddling around but couldn't figure that one out or how to get around the point of the collar so they remain bare.  Besides I didn't want to waste any more time on it, it was already taking too long.

Then there was the attachment of the cuff  to the sleeve.  I had never done the technique described before and it was quite unfamiliar to me.  You know how, with something you've not tried before, you just can't seem to get your head around what the instructions are saying.  Well this is what happened even though it wasn't really that hard, just different.  Normally I wouldn't even read the instructions but when I looked at the sleeve I'm like 'what the...'  So out came the instructions and it took me a while to figure it out.  And that's not to mention the collar.  Odd way to do it I think but anyway...

Then, when I went to stitch the hem I found that I there are slit openings in the side seam which I somehow missed marking during the cutting out.  By this time I'm like, Nup, not on mine!  I'm not unpicking the seam and overlocking.  Nup, ain't gunna happen!

Now, what 'buttons' should I use?  White?  Blue?  Which colour blue?  I had no idea it was so hard to find suitable buttons.  I searched everywhere and finally settled on some blue ones.  Then... can you believe it?  It's been so long since I sewed a buttonhole I couldn't remember how to set up the machine, so out came the sewing machine instruction booklet and 'voila' I have buttonholes and they are all the same size.  (Wow, computerized machines are fantastic even if they are nearly 20 years old, aren't they!)  Have I got thread to sew the buttons on?  I can't use white thread on blue buttons, just doesn't look right to me.  Phew! I've got thread.

TaDa!!!  My shirt.

 Dolly did the modelling today.

I let Dolly be my model for this one or you might never see it 'cos if you can't tell yet, I am really over it!

Close up of detail

Pattern:  Simplicity 2447, View A

Pattern Description:
Shirt in two lengths with front, collar and sleeve variations

Pattern Sizing:
16-24, I cut the 16

Did is look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes it does

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, more or less.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I made View A but changed the bias pattern piece for the full length piece of View D.  I didn't like the application method of the sleeve cuff nor the way in which the collar was attach.  It just seemed a strange way to do it.

Fabric Used:
100% Cotton

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I made the usual shortening alterations at the waist and sleeve.  I also added a selvage edge trim in the seams on the front, back yoke and front band.  As I altered the pattern length I missed marking a notch therefore when I sewed the side seams I omitted the slit openings accidentally.  If I were to make this again I would add these are they look nicer and would allow more ease.

Would you sew it again?  Would you recommend it to others?
Probably not, it's not a style I would generally wear.  Yes, I would recommend it .

Conclusion:
A great pattern with many options to vary the style.  It went together easily and fits well.  I would recommend it for beginners or someone wanting an easy project.


So, yes friends, I have finally finished this shirt.  You may never see me wear it but it is finished!!  Oh, yes that's right Self-Stitched-Sept '11 is right around the corner so you probably will.

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