It's about exploring and sharing my creative adventures (mostly sewing these days) ~
~those activities that sometimes obsess, usually inspire, occasionally frustrate
~and always provide a delightful maze to wander through.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

I. Love. This. Shirt.

It isn't that there's anything super fancy or outrageously unusual about it...well, not by my standards, anyway.   It's just unique enough to stand on its own nicely.   The seaming, hemline and collar are just different enough to stand out.   I don't really know just what it is, but I'm not alone in loving. this. shirt! It took me long enough - the pattern's been in my stash for several years, but when I finally made it up I really got the popularity of it!

It's the Sewing Workshop's Liberty Shirt.   It's been around for ages, and has been raved about by numerous people who like the same sort of clothes that I do. (and some whose taste is completely different than mine, as well!)  People made it and loved it and made it again when it first came out (before my time!), and they're STILL making it and loving it and making it again!   There's just something about it.  The collar looks good worn up or down or lopsided.  The seaming and topstitching can be underplayed  or fancy-stitched.  The cut of the hemline is flattering on a number of different figure types.   It's just funky enough to funk up even more, or it can showcase an elegant fabric and go out on the town.  It can be a shirt or a jacket.   It can be be conservative or ... not.

Yup.  I love. this. shirt!  

I used up some more of my Batik Butik fabric (I think it manages to reproduce in the back of its stash drawer - you just don't know what happens back there sometimes!), and mixed it up a bit with a rayon polka dot that paired nicely with the ginkgo leaves.


The pattern description says this:  "Shirt or jacket has diagonal side seams angled to the front, soft stand-up collar, and set-in sleeves with vent openings. Asymmetric front and back deep hems with mitered corners. Front topstitching detail and five-button closure."   The line drawing leaves a bit to the imagination as far as the look of the finished piece, but the illustration is pretty close:


Here's the collar with the lapel folded out:

Buttoned up to the top:

Side view, with a good sense of the uneven hemline:

Par to the course for SW patterns, the measurements put me partly in a Medium, partly in a Small, and I cut an XSmall, which was a pretty good fit (with a narrow shoulder adjustment; normal for me).

Bear with me as I catch up on the last 7 months of sewing, because I don't remember a lot of the construction details!   What I do remember about this one is that the instructions are excellent (as with most SW patterns), and it went together very smoothly and easily.

Will I make this one again?  You betcha!   Thumbs way up :)

33 comments:

glorm said...

You look good in so many different styles. I like this shirt also and it certainly has the potential for design changes. Just having the collar opened or closed makes it look a bit different.

Judy C said...

Your shirt is fabulous. I see kimono influences and I love the patterns of fabric you used. This one is a total winner.

Mary said...

This is a beautiful shirt, and very flattering. I love this pattern for the reasons you list above and also because the construction is so interesting to do.

shams said...

This looks great on you, Jillian! I can see you making lots of these!

badmomgoodmom said...

I love this shirt, too.

Karen said...

Great fabric choices -- looks lovely. Hmm, maybe it's time to dig this one out of the pattern pile myself.

Kelly said...

Looks great! I love the black and tan fabric!

Andrea said...

Such a beautiful pairing of fabrics, Jillian. This shirt looks so good on you!

MarcyF said...

Just gorgeous! Awesome choice of fabrics for this. This is my all time favorite pattern ever--it usually doesn't even get put back in the pattern drawer because I use it so often.

Jillybejoyful said...

What a sweet and thought-provoking comment, that I can wear "so many different styles." It's actually a mind shift for me; thank you Gloria! (and I sense a blog post to flesh out my thoughts about it!)

Jillybejoyful said...

I remember at least one version of yours that I've seen - I really do get why people love this shirt so much!

Jillybejoyful said...

Thanks shams; yup, I think it will be a TNT...

Jillybejoyful said...

It's just that lovable ... ;-)

Jillybejoyful said...

Dig it out, I say!

Jillybejoyful said...

Thanks Kelly :)

Jillybejoyful said...

Thankyou Andrea :)

Jillybejoyful said...

Your versions were definitely an inspiration to keep this popping up to the top of the list!

prttynpnk said...

I love how the tiny print picks up the movement of the flowers- like a petal shower. Nicely done, art as usual!

Jillybejoyful said...

A petal shower! Or maybe spreading seeds...love it! :)

Margy said...

I. LOVE. THIS. SHIRT. too! I wish it were mine...beautiful pairing of fabrics, a piece of art for sure.

Jillybejoyful said...

For you to say you wish it were yours is the ultimate compliment!

Glenda said...

Hmmm, I think I have that pattern in my stash, too. I'll definitely have to check as you rock it, for sure!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! And I wore a Librrty today, too!! I think I need to make a few more.

tinyjunco said...

really, all i can say is sheer perfection. Gorgeous shirt and almost eerily perfect style for you!!! :)

i love the versatility as well - wear it with jeans and ankle boots to a barbeque; pair it with crinkle velvet palazzo pants, strappy heels and big fat Tahitian pearl earrings for the opera (heehee, my 'fantasy wallet' is treating!). This is just the type of sewing we all dream of accomplishing - a faboo garment which is a wardrobe workhorse knockout!! even better as fall is coming up and this will be so perfect! Have fun and i can't wait to see this one in person, yum! steph

Dixie said...

This shirt is awesomely flattering on you! I love the marriage of fabrics, and the fit is just perfect. Arty without being over-the-top. A great look!

Scenic Route said...

Great shirt on you! This pattern came with the Linda Lee Craftsy class I enrolled in last year and it is just sitting there--on the other side of the world (of course) with some silk I bought in Hong Kong just for it. So, your post is very timely! I was concerned that there would be just too much fabric around my bod, but your sizing info and pics are very helpful. I'm inspired :)

Jillybejoyful said...

Do it! I'll wear mine if you wear yours next time we meet....

Jillybejoyful said...

And I now totally get why you feel that way :D

Jillybejoyful said...

You bring your fantasy wallet and we'll go have a fantasy outing! I loved the little brainstorming session we had; it seems so long ago!

Jillybejoyful said...

Thank you Dixie! :)

Jillybejoyful said...

Yay! I'm looking forward to seeing lots more of these now :) And in silk bought just for it! Get on it girl!

Jane M said...

I too have this pattern and Craftsy class because I love Linda Lee and those wonderful sewing details. But I was reluctant because many of the ones I see online look too big and 90s oversized. But your version if fantastic! Your fabric choice is wonderful and thank you for the sizing tips. I am another inspired person and it is moving up the queue as I type.

Unknown said...

That shirt looks very nice on you...as does everything you make! I love the fabrics you used AND the buttons...they are a perfect finishing touch!!!