More on the mini-wardrobe

So, we all know men hate to shop. I've decided it's because they hate to try-on. And, I've discovered over the past few weeks that they hate to be measured or fitted. So, I had to come up with someway to actually make these clothes fit my dear hubby. Here's my solution:

That's right. I pulled out one of his RTW T shirts and matched the pattern pieces to it. (I used one of his undershirts because they are more form-fitting than, say, his Jimmy Buffett T-shirt.

This started with Kwik Sew 3570 . The finished garment measurements were waaaaay out of wack with the body measurements and DH was at work. So, I laid the pattern piece on the shirt and compared. What did I find. The finished measurements were wrong. I was able to retrace the pieces before I ever cut my fleece. Whew!

On the raglan tee (the PJ pattern that I modified into a very cool T), I also used this method. I confirmed the size and was able to use the RTW shirt to shorten the sleeve.

My Man in Blue

Here's my mini-wardrobe entry for PR. I've called it "My Man in Blue", even though my man in blue wears a brown uniform most of the time. (Local sheriff's office, not those delivery guys.) Anyway, I think he looks nice in blue, so I've created him a fun weekend wardrobe. (Besides, he wouldn't let me do a purple and gold wardrobe--darn Arkansan!)

The requirements were 4 pieces, 3 colors, 4 outfits. Here are the outfits:

McCalls 4518 unbuttoned over McCalls 5282 with Jalie 977 Pants

McCalls 5282 with Jalie 977 Pants (Unzipped to shorts)

McCalls 4518 with Jalie 977 Pants (unzipped to shorts)

KwikSew 3570 with Jalie 977 pants

Up this week...

This week's to do list:

1. Jalie pants to finish the PR mini-wardrobe contest entry.
2. 3 sweet jumpers and jon-jons for a customer
3. Recover the dining room chairs. Yeah! I finally found something I liked!
4. Finish my great orange coat.

...all while rangling the Little Man. He's school doesn't start until Friday.

A little sewing...

I've gotten a few personal pieces (as opposed to jon-jons and jumpers) finished over the last few weeks.

KWIK SEW 3570

This is part of the mini-wardrobe I've got planned for the August PR Mini-Wardrobe Contest. He still has 2 shirts and pants coming. Maybe.

I really like this shirt. I did have trouble figuring out which size to make. Come to find (figure) out, the finished garment measurements that are printed on the pattern tissue are incorrect. It was very easy to put together. The wrap-around side seams are great.

As for the pattern: the instructions were wonderful. Just reading them, the zipper installation made no sense, but I followed them anyway. The instructions worked perfectly! I'm thinking of trying this again in a few months with a heavier jersey knit. My review is here.

Vogue 7799

I'm really beginning to love most Vogue patterns, this one included. I was first attracted to the long, lean look of this top.

This is actually my muslin, but is a quite wearable one. I made my usual adjustments (FBA, sloping shoulders, rounded shoulders). I also used my serger for most of the seams, though, oddly enough, the instructions included no mention of that. I also used a double needle for the hems of the top and armholes. I do think the neck is a little long. (It's folded down again in this pic.) The PR Review is here.

Vogue 8392

This is my back-to-school sewing. (Not the "wearing back to school" kind, but the "hurray, the kids are back in school and I can sew" kind.) I love this top.

I've made view A before. This is view B. I must admit the tiger print is a first for me. I have never worn an animal print before. But, I love this top. (Did I say that already?) It was very easy to make. The instructions are easy to follow. I made a FBA by just increasing the side seams, tapering from armhole out 1/2 inch and back in at waist. I adjusted for rounded shoulders.

His first shirt...(remember that pic I promised?)

Remember this shirt pattern that I hated? Here's the picture I promised so long ago. And, okay, I'll admit, it doesn't look quite as homespun as I'd thought it might.

Sorry it's so small. I snatched it from my SIL's pics on another site. (Thanks Anne!)

New Mini-Wardrobe Contest

PR's next Mini-Wardrobe Contest starts August 1! I've been thinking about my entry for a while, but I thought it started in October. I'm not ready!!!!!

That said, here are the rules:

1. 4 pieces, 3 of which must be different types of garments
2. 3 different colors in the wardrobe
3. they must combine to make -4 distinct, different outfits

Ugh! That's exactly what I did in May--and others did not! (Yes, I'm whining. Now I'm done.)

Anyway, now it's almost August and I need to get in gear. I had been thinking about using this contest as a way to expand the hubby's closet. I'm leaning toward:

1. A pair of casual pants
2. A long-sleeve button-up shirt
3. A short-sleeve tee shirt
4. A fleece pull-over

I think that adds up to:

1. Pants + button-up
2. Pants + tee shirt
3. Pants + tee shirt + unbuttoned button-up
4. Pants + fleece pull-over

I just need to confirm that the different shirts will count as different types of garments and choose some patterns and fabrics.

Simplicity 5581-YUCK!

I don't care how talented you are. Some patterns are just duds! Take this one for example:

About 2 years ago, my smart-mouthed hubby said, (and this is a direct quote, I could never forget these words) "It's too bad you can't make men's shirts, but they are probably much tougher than women's stuff."

WHAT?!?!?!? Has he failed to notice that we women have waaay more curves than men do? What is he talking about-tougher?

So, taking that dare for what it was, I marched right down to Hancocks and picked up 2 men's patterns and 2 pieces of fabric just for him!

Fast forward 2 years...(babies, kindergarten, and wardrobe contests got in my way.)

I pulled out Simplicity 5581 and the beige and blue seersucker fabric I'd originally selected for him. I guessed on measurements, based on the shirts in his closet. (No way, I'm gonna tell him I'm working on this until I'm done!) I cut the pattern in an XL and set to work.

I'd assumed that the pattern would include flat-felled seams, like most men's shirts I've seen. It didn't, but since I know how to do them, I figured I'd just finish my side seams like that. Well, that led me to wondering if the shoulder seams needed to be finished in the same manner. So, off to his closet I go--only to discover that every single shirt hanging in there had a back yoke and a collar stand (in addition to the collar)! Even the beachy, Hawaiian ones!

Well, this pattern doesn't! It doesn't have flat-felled seams. It doesn't have a back yoke! It doesn't have a collar stand! But being the frugal-minded (Ha!) person I am, I'm determined to finished it, even if it does look cheap and homemade. And tomorrow, when he opens it as his Father's Day gift, I'll snap a picture to prove that it does look cheap and homemade.

So, yes, Simplicity 5581, Views A and B, are destined to be a complete loss. Why waste your time even drafting a pattern that will look cheap and homemade when finished? And--note to self--always, always, always look at the line drawings on the back of the pattern envelope first!!!!

Thankfully, Hancocks had a sale on McCalls patterns this week. I picked up 4518. It doesn't have a collar stand, but it has a yoke. (And done in a tacky Hawaiian print, I don't think it will look quite so corny.) I think I'll try this one next:

Then I may give this one a go. I have a nice piece of french blue linen that would look nice on him. It was suggested by Kristine who is making a dress shirt for her hubby.