Finally, a successful Archer button-up – in my dream plaid flannel, no less (seriously, I keep eyeballing all the other colors… do I take the plunge and buy them all?? Because I want to!)
I am pretty proud of this shirt, so let’s be honest – there are lots of pictures in this post.
Although the more I look at these pictures, the more they appear to just be the same picture at a slightly different angle or pose. Oops 😦
ALSO, please forgive my awful editing and how the color changes in every picture. I bought a new photo editing software with my new laptop (Corel Paintshop Pro, if you’re curious!) and I’m still trying to get used to it 🙂 BUT HEY, I can edit out zits and stuff now, so that’s pretty freaking awesome!
Anyway, ok, let’s talk about this Archer I made! Using my failed linen Archer as a wearable muslin, I shortened the sleeves by about 1″ and left the body length intact (you’ll recall that the linen one I ended up cutting too short. Or maybe you don’t recall, see if I care). I think my sleeves are still a little long, but I also anticipate this shrinking more in the dryer (I only washed the flannel once before cutting, sorry, I was just excited!) so hopefully they won’t end up too short!
I also made the pocket smaller! No rhyme or reason to how I did it, I just eyeballed until it looked “right.”
Making this shirt was super fun, from cutting (what can I say… I love matching up plaids haha) all the way through sewing. I forgot how much I love sewing really precise things like button-down shirts. Makes me want to sew another shirt for Landon, maybe. What’s funny is I actually caught myself starting to rush through the construction of this – not because I was on a deadline, but because it’s starting to get cold and I wanted to wear this shit nooooooow – and I decided to force myself to slow down by sewing flat-felled seams instead of just serging the seam allowances off. Even the arms are flat-felled. I’m so glad I did, because the end result turned out pretty fabulous if I do say so myself.
I cut the back yoke, pocket, and front button band on the bias. Everything else is straight and painstakingly matched. The only boo-boo I made was that I put the button band on the wrong side – oops! I originally chose the opposite side of the flannel as the right side, then changed my mind when I started sewing. Since the front pieces are not mirrored, this meant I had to compromise my button band side. Oh well, I am just pretending that it’s actually a men’s shirt, haha!
At any rate, the side seams match up beautifully. Look at that shit!
I changed out the buttons for pearl snaps, so I can hulk my way out of this shirt when the urge strikes. Funny thing about those pearl snaps – they actually started out white, and while it looked ooookay, it also just looked like I bought the wrong color pearl snap. I can’t get black snaps locally (and DAMMIT that I SAW them in Chicago and was like “nah I don’t need that” lol oh Lauren, hindsight is 20/20 or some shit) and I couldn’t wait sooo… I painted these with black nail polish. Black glitter nail polish, to be precise. Hey, it works!
I sewed the size 0, as I did last time, except the side seams are sewn at 5/8″ instead of the pattern’s 1/2″. This makes for a slightly (very slightly) smaller fit.
The collar stand turned out fucking perfect, which I’m VERY proud of! I followed Andrea’s tutorial and I had no unpicking with that method. I’m sold, and Andrea, I owe ya a beer for that. Thanks bb♥
I also changed out the sleeve plackets and used the ones from the Negroni pattern. I just think these look so much better with the flannel check, plus they are more conductive for rolling up sleeves. I also find this type of placket easier to sew. Man, I love sewing plackets.
Oh, I also made my leggings! You can’t really see any detail because they are black, wah, but I did make them! I used the Ooh La Leggings pattern and a black ponte knit from Mood Fabrics. My take on ponte leggings – AWESOME. So so awesome!! I actually wore these when I traveled to/from Chicago (so, 18+ hours total) and they were SO comfortable – and they actually look like pants! Guys, I am so sold on these.
I don’t have much else to say, so have some pictures –
Glitter buttons, yeah? 🙂
Collar stand pride~
Placketz
Flat-felled seam, curved hem
Proof that these are actually leggings and not some black blob.
This outfit has basically become my fall uniform. Seriously! The flannel is so warm and cozy – and easy to throw on if I’m chilly (which is always. Yes, I have worn this shirt every day since I finished it, don’t judge me). I am really happy with how both turned out, and definitely plan on making more. Question – is it really dorky to make me & Landon matching plaid flannel shirts? Because I’m totally about to go there.
One last thing – We have a winner for the Draping book! Random number generator, who do you choose?
Congratulations, Jennifer Stephenson! I can’t wait to see what vintage recreations you end up making!
LLADYBIRD 
I am enjoying the image of you hulking out of this shirt, dude! Needless to say I think it’s awesome. I loooove the nail varnished snaps – I had a pair of DM shoes when I was at school that I pained up with nail varnish and they were so cool. Damn, I miss those shoes.
This is so awesome! You make me want to do one or two.
Looks fabulous!
The other week Paul and I unintentionally wore solid red T-shirts the same day . . . then we shopped at Target together. Double whoops. ; )
Hahah I love it!
It looks really great – I think the blue flannel would be awesome to make this in!
I love your archer shirt! I am envious every time you match up your plaids or any print for that matter. I gotta try that one of these days. Great work as always. 🙂
I love this archer! I am envious every time you match up your plaid or any print for that matter. I should try it one of these days. Gotta love the pearl snaps!
Ah, it looks so cozy! There’s really nothing better than a soft flannel… You did such a great job on this shirt. I’ve muddled my way through the collar stand of two Archer shirts now, and though there’s improvement I haven’t been truly successful. I’m really looking forward to trying Andrea’s method on my next attempt!
You look beautiful with your hair “up”.
Just had to comment on that.
Thanks! 🙂
Love it! I’m currently working on my Archer muslin. I’ve never made a button-up shirt before so I’m learning some new techniques…but I conquered welt pockets and a zip fly this summer so I can do anything, right? (By the way…thank you, thank you for your amazing Thurlow sew-along! It may have been all my poor husband heard about for days…err…weeks.) I have a million Archer variations swirling through my brain, but the cozy flannels are definitely screaming the loudest. Yours is gorgeous and I kind of want to copy you and be your giant twin.
So so awesome! I can see why you want to live in this. And I love that you used glitter nail polish on the snaps. I’ve been scared of this pattern because collar stands intimidate me, so I’m totally bookmarking that link.
Great outfit. LOVE the button fix.
I’ve been dying to make a shirt out of some classic buffalo check! I love it and I think it looks especially badass on ladies. You look soooooo comfy. In a very neat and well put together sort of way 😉
Great job on the plaid matching and the topstitching. Flat-felling seams is kinda awesome, isn’t it? Definitely takes time, but I’ve never regretted it afterwards.
Fuck yeah! I love flat-felling 😀
This is just perfect winter wear – if I had one I’d wear it every day too! That’s the second recommendation I’ve seen for Andrea’s collar stand tutorial so I’ll definitely need to bookmark that for when I make this shirt.
Love it! And yes, I wanna see every other colour version with this plaid flannel:-)
It looks beautiful on you! I think you should definitely make another one in a different color, or maybe a few different colors haha 🙂
I could make an entire RAINBOW! haha
cute shirt and love the colour – looks cosy and stylish, a tricky mix
Beautiful rendition of that pattern!
Love your Archer. It looks super comfy.
I am terribly jealous of your plaid matching skills. Sewing that -ish scares the crap out of me.
This looks amazing! Very impressive,I struggled my way through a basic vest pattern this afternoon and ended up ripping out seams twice! I can’t imagine being able to sew a shirt! Also,loving the hair up look!
Omg, we’re going to be twins. As soon as I finish the bridesmaid dresses I’m working on, I have a flannel archer and black Jalie leggings queued up! My flannel is red and grey though, so not exact matches, lol. Such a cute look for fall though — you look adorbs! 🙂
Haha so awesome! yes, let’s pls be twins 😀
i will never tire of seeing archers! love the flannel version, and yay for a successful collar insert! looks great.
See! You just need a non-see through knit for leggings and they’re just the most comfortable pants ever ♥ So glad you love them!
It’s so true! I’m eyeballing every ponte color at Mood now 😉
Looks great! I’m about to make my first Archer in this awesome blue flannel with a subtle herringbone pattern I got at JoAnn’s. I love flannel ❤
Haha, you’re such a sewing nerd – but then I think we all are! Love this shirt, it looks amazing. And yes, you should totally make a matching shirt!
Awesome shirt! Seeing all the good looking archers is giving me needs… Sewing needs! I like how laid-back and casual this looks. Two thumbs up!
Lauren, any tips on matching plaids? I have a great purple and black plaid that I’d like to use for a tunic, but I’m afraid. New to sewing and the fabric is awesome! I’m afraid to cut, is there a previous post I can refer to?
I actually took some photos while i was cutting this, so once I get a chance I plan on putting together a little plaid matching post 🙂 So, soon! I promise it’s not hard, just takes a bit of extra attention 🙂
Thanks so much. I’ll stay tuned for it. I totally admire all that you do!
Love this! Love that PLAID!!! So want to buy the black & white check now… Also, I’m super into your ponte leggings. They DO look like pants… how clever…
I’m in Japan right now and I saw a lot of couples wearing matching or coordinating shirts. One couple was even wearing matching blue plaid button downs, so I hearby certify that you can use the “it’s all the rage in Japan” excuse should you and Landon get any funny looks. 🙂
Great plaid shirt. Hey, if I’m making a Hamburgler costume for my guy I think it’s safe to say someone has done worse than have matching couple shirts.
I want to get me one of those shirts! It looks great, and I can just imagine how cozy it is! Totally love the purple version of that flannel!
Matching plaid shirts is totally not dorky. It’s…um…romantic. Yeah, I’m sticking with that one. The question is…are you going to order up some black snaps to have on hand for next time?
Probably! of course, every time I look at snaps I get sucked into the vortex of all the colors available… I mean, why buy black when you can buy, i dunno, neon yellow? haha! But you’re right, it would be good to at least have some on hand 🙂
Who doesn’t need neon yellow snaps? Seriously! I think things like that should offer a big combo set. Give me 15 of each color. Surely that’s enough to tide me over in case of fastener emergencies.
That is some awesome plaid matching, very impressed, I don’t even try anymore as I just can’t seem to do it!
love your work! that pattern matching is inspiring (i’m working with plaid at the moment and i’ve given it a solid shot).
ps. snaps are very handy. one of my favourite memories is of a friend of mine “hulking” (best!) out of his shirt on a rowdy dancefloor one Saturday night. without snaps, it would not have been possible.
This story makes me want to go downtown and drink at one of those shitty ~dance party~ bars just so I can do that, hahah!! Well… with another shirt underneath my flannel, of course 😉
Wow, this shirt looks perfect. This really makes me wanna make my own. I actually have the pattern all printed and ready to go for a couple of months… If only there wasn’t the taping (in which I am really bad) but since fall is here too and my wardrobe is seriously lacking in the long sleeves department I probably should get over this “taping fear”. Is there a trick that makes it easier?
Looking forward to the next finished garment. Also loooove the knitting…
Have a nice weekend (hope for better weather – it is a rainy morning here in the middle of Germany)
Susanne (IG lily28923)
I personally haaate taping, so I don’t really have any tricks for you except try to make your taping situation as comfortable as possible! Spread out a large work surface (like, huge. I work on the floor haha) and get one of those tape dispensers that has a weight at the bottom so you can just pull the tape off with one hand. And listen to Duran Duran, that helps me anyway 😉
Wow your Archer is gorgeous! I actually have this colour and the blue of exactly the same flannel waiting to become an Archer too.. I had my little sis bringing it from the states, so the blue one will be her payment.. I just need to make a muslin first. The insides look super clean! How many times are you supposed to pre-wash flannel then? I’ve just washed it once now..
I would pretreat flannel the same way you pretreat denim – wash and dry it at least 3 times to get the maximum shrinkage out. It may not be an issue if your flannel has poly in it, but the 100% cotton ones reeeeally love to shrink. I made Landon a cotton flannel shirt last year and the sleeves shrunk up a bit after he washed it a couple of times 😦
Ahh, thanks for the heads up! *puts the flannel in the washing machine again*
I love your Archer and your nail polished snaps! I’ll keep this in mind for ways to use up my slightly ridiculous nail polish collection.
Do you have a tattoo of a pincushion behind your ear? I love it! I’m planning to get a little tattoo of a needle and thread behind my ear. I’m just waiting for my sister in law to come visit me so she can hold my hand because it would be my first tattoo and I’m a baby, haha.
Haha yeah, it’s the same pincushion on my banner (and because everyone always asks – the tattoo came before the banner ;)). I promise those behind-the-ear tattoos don’t hurt! if anything, it’s just a loud buzz and it’s kind of annoying (and I had to lay perfectly still, which meant I couldn’t talk or anything waaah so boring haha). The parts around my hairline did hurt a little, but nothing I couldn’t handle. I know I have a piece of metal sticking through the middle of my nose, but honestly I’m a big weenie when it comes to pain. And the ear wasn’t bad at all! You got this 🙂
That’s good to hear! My nose piercing (just a stud, not a septum piercing) hurt, but it was over quickly. The tattoo makes me nervous because of how long it will take, but I feel a little better now!
Also, my first blog post about my Renfrew is live: http://www.feministstitch.com/sewaholic-v-neck-renfrew/. I’m really excited about blogging, so thank you for encouraging me to do it!
What’s that? Glittery buttons! Ace.
You are so amazingly talented. One day I will have your skills. In my dreams,, but one day it WILL HAPPEN! Beautiful shirt, plackets, collar stand, flat fells, everything. And beautiful leggings as well. Thanks for the inspiration and kick in the pants to step up my game.
Gaah! I’ve been looking for the exact same fabric to make the exact same shirt for weeks! I’m suffering, seeing how awesome it looks!!!
I was talking about matching outfits with some of the midwives from my work – one used to be made to wear matching outfits (including hair, and they had matching togs) to her mother. Which I am definitely going to do when I have a daughter.
But in the meantime, matching with one’s partner is pretty awesome: http://www.pleated-jeans.com/2013/06/11/couple-wears-matching-outfits-for-past-35-years/
Yes, buy the plaid in all the colours!!! I love the nail polish on the snaps and you’re just super cute in this…that is all ;o)
You know I’m totally gonna forward this to my mom, who will oogle your matched plaids! It’s an art! Also there is no question- you and Landon nEED matching blouses…yes, I said blouses…even though I hate that word!!
Thanks so much for this! Really helpful 🙂
All I want to wear this winter is warm cozy fabrics like flannel! I love this plaid with the silver snaps!
I know this is an old post but in case you still respond I have a question (or two!). Beautiful shirt and wow on that plaid matching!! I am working on my first archer in pink plaid flannel and the plaid doesn’t seem to be at perfect right angles and it’s driving me crazy trying to cut it out and match the plaids! How do you flat fell the sleeve seams? Doesn’t the fabric get all bunched up when you try to sew down the length of the sleeve?
No worries, I always try to go back and reply to questions, no matter how old the post is 🙂 Your plaid sounds like it’s probably off-grain (this happens a LOT with plaid flannels, in my experience), which is probably why you’re having problems making up the plaids. Just do the best you can! To flat-fell the sleeves, you have to first sew the sleeves in flat (same way you would with a knit tshirt) and then you can sew up the side seams and sleeves seams in one long uninterrupted stitching line (if you have the Negroni from Colette patterns, they do a good job of explaining how to do this). It does get a little tight when you start sewing the sleeve (since it’s such a small tube), but I’ve found that I can do it by going very slowly and stopping with the needle down every couple inches or so to rearrange the fabric and make sure that I’m still going through a single layer. Hope that helps 🙂
Thanks! I talked to my mom who has sewn about 100 plaid flannel shirts and she said the weave just got a little distorted in the wash and to yank on the fabric on the diagonal in several places and that should put the threads at right angles again. Of course, I had already cut my fabric when I talked to her so it’s a lost cause now but it’s a great tip for the future!
By the gods! You. Are. Beautiful.