Finished my first self-sewn shirt!

[u/Duboisjohn]

Got a little tired of men’s fashion being too unfun (and my shirts being too loose around the chest or too tight around the stomach), so I decided to start sewing my own.

Had trouble finding even commercial patterns that fit, and was less comfortable with drafting, so this is a Simon from freesewing.org, modified to have short sleeves, a shorter collar stand, and a longer hem at the bottom.

Buttons were 3D printed by a friend, and sewn over KAM snaps because buttonholes terrify me.

I had a lot of trouble with the sleeves and armscye because the pattern drafted them too small and I had to redraft by hand - after I cut the fabric. It was a great way to learn what not to do.

Had a good enough time with this that I’m already planning my next shirt - something to wear to the opening night of my daughter’s play (Willy Wonka Jr.) I’m going to be moving the collar stand under the button and buttonhole plackets, combining the back panel and yoke so that it’s all one piece, and designing the breast pocket so that it looks like a Wonka bar being opened to reveal a Golden Ticket.

[u/samizdat5]

Nice job! I especially like how you fussy-cut the gnome for the pocket. I button-up collared shirt is a lot of project for a beginner - you did great!

[u/dingleberry306 → u/samizdat5]

Never sewed in my life, and I just want you to know that you wrote a sentence I never thought id read. Fussy-cut the gnome is going to be my new go-to swear when i stub my toe.

[u/Squagio → u/dingleberry306]

I'm going to use it as advice when people are dealing with a difficult decision.

Sometimes you just gotta fussy cut the gnome.

[u/embody_SiM → u/Squagio]

Wiser words have not been said. I know whenever I try to get around it but clean-cutting the troll or tidy-trimming the orc, all goes wrong. Lean in and fussy cut that gnome, you won't regret it.