A very long time ago my baby brother left a denim shirt at my house. I thought it was my daughter's or husband's when it was found but it was brother's. I called him and he didn't want it back, said it was old and nasty. I proclaimed it mine. Let me tell you, I wore this oversized work shirt everywhere. It was so comfy. I could jazz it up with jewelry, white jeans, a leather belt, you name it. It belied it's humble beginnings. After some years it started to fall apart. No problem. I still wore it for painting and gardening around the house. It was great for keeping away the black flies with its collar buttons and long sleeves. One day I had to face it. It was falling apart and was cast to the rag bag to rub away paint with turpentine. I have been grieving ever since.
I have always wanted to make another. The reason I didn't was finding the right fabric. It was not a light chambray nor was it a heavy denim. One day I stumbled upon a pretty good facsimile at our local Joanns and scoffed it up. For a pattern I picked McCalls 6613, a unisex work shirt, perfectly fitting my memory of my brother's shirt. It looked just like the denim shirt on the cover of the pattern.
Now let's get something straight here. I am not making a fitted shirt here. I am making an oversized, drop shouldered denim work shirt. If it comes out the way I hope I will make more. I have made some "feminizing" adjustments which I think are necessary. The "small" size has a 42 inch bust/chest measurement, uh, not quite what fits me. I have also found the details are more "man-sized" and I don't like that.
I have always wanted to make another. The reason I didn't was finding the right fabric. It was not a light chambray nor was it a heavy denim. One day I stumbled upon a pretty good facsimile at our local Joanns and scoffed it up. For a pattern I picked McCalls 6613, a unisex work shirt, perfectly fitting my memory of my brother's shirt. It looked just like the denim shirt on the cover of the pattern.
I pulled out an old shirt that I like, one with a similar over-sized fit and started measuring the details. Once I started comparing I realized I wanted the collar band a bit more narrow and those collar points a little less John Travolta in Saturday Night Live. I have also made adjustments on the pattern for a shorter length and shorter and less full sleeve. The sleeve in this pattern is VERY wide, too wide, very "guy".
All is now cut out and ready for marking. I had a day off today and two more to come so hopefully this will get done this weekend. Then it will be wait for another fabric shipment before I get started on some knit tops. Love those Amazon cards! Have you purchased fabric through Amazon? Here is one piece that came this week. I am waiting for I think five more. This one is a black linen and white cotton weft piece from Kaufman that has a really nice weight for pants. We'll see!,,,,,Bunny
I totally know this shirt. Glad you found a way to reincarnate it.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you know my love. You understand.
DeleteI didn't know Amazon sold fabric. When I made my son a flannel shirt for Christmas I was thinking that I would love to make one for myself. There is something comfy/comforting about an oversized guy shirt. I can't wait to see how your shirt turns out.
DeleteAmazon owns Fabric.com now. There are also other fabric vendors on there as well. Just google "fabric by the yard" in the search engine. I get real specific otherwise you are looking all night.
DeleteI had no idea. Since I don't drive, I'm going to have to re-think my Amazon/drone position. Fabric dropped to my door in 45 minutes? Oh yeah!
DeleteI've been looking for the *perfect* shirt weight denim, too....
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for that *perfect* shirt weight denim, too...
ReplyDeleteI can just picture your bro's shirt .. the good old standby...so cozy, comfy, sturdy. That kind of fabric is hard to find . was it denim or a flannel blend? The piece you found at JoAnn looks really nice .. is it labeled as denim? Your new shirt will be great, and you'll have a clone of your favorite back in use.
ReplyDeleteAnd FYI -- Amazon has owned fabric.com for years.
http://www.informationweek.com/applications/amazoncom-acquires-fabriccom/d/d-id/1069272
They also own Zappo's and now the WashingtonPost, among many, many other businesses. They're monstrously huge .. Wiki gives much detail .. mind boggling.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon.com#Acquisitions_and_investments.
I guess that's why it's called the "Everything Store".
DeleteThe fabric was in with the denims. It has a much softer hand and is just a bit heavier than a chambray. No jeans for this one, too drapey. It's a hundred per cent cotton.
I love reading your blog but I am finding it quite challenging. The reason is that because you have a very wide orange space to the right of your page, all your writing is minimised. I try to enlarge it but every time I move around it reverts to the mini sized writing. Would it be possible for you to change the layout on your website please? Thanks a million!
ReplyDelete