So sorry to dump this on y’all yet again – another collared shirt + jeans outfit combination. Yawn.
Well, to backtrack – yawn for you, but š š š š š for me hahahaha. I will never get tired of this outfit combination. Or, at least, not anytime soon. Maybe never is too strong of a word to use here.
What’s mildly frustrating about writing a long-term blog (at the time of this posting, I’ve accumulated nearly 500 entries since I started waaaay back in 2009, WTF) is that you eventually reach a point when you’re just making the same thing over and over again (well… those of us who don’t make our blog our full-time income fall in this category. I’m sure if I was sponsored out the wazzoo and had all the time I spend at work to spend making content for my blog, it would be a different story, ha.). After re-assessing my wardrobe at the end of 2014 and realizing that I *still* had shitloads of clothing that I made simply for the new and shiny, I have made it a big point to really be honest with myself about whether or not I’ll actually wear something that I make. Like most people, I have a pretty predictable style. And like many sewers, I don’t want to spend a lot of time reinventing the wheel with new patterns if I can get the look I’m going for with an old TNT. So this translates to repeats upon repeats upon repeats.
So, while you might be yawning about the majority of the stuff that’s been posted in 2015… I gotta say, I am elated with the way my closet is looking these days!
With all that being said, there’s not much to report on either of these pieces since I’ve made them soooo many damn times. Jeans + collared shirt is totally my go-to when I want to feel comfortable but still look like I made an effort in the AM. I’ve found my TNT patterns and I feel good about the way they fit and the construction methods that I use.
The top was made using my beloved Butterick 5526. Y’all, I don’t know if I’ll ever sew another button up pattern again! (we all know that’s a lie) I’ve gotten to the point with this one where I can bang one out in a couple of days, which is really nice when you’re coming up on a looming Mood Sewing Network deadline, ha. The fabric is this amazing tigerlily orange cotton voile from Theory, which is a bit more of a coral-y pink than it is orange in real life (I don’t know how the color translates on your screen, but on the Mood Fabrics website it’s definitely pretty muted. The real color is much closer to what you see in my photos. It’s BEAUTIFUL). It has a beautiful chambray weave, which gives the color lots of dimension. This fabric was so so nice to work with – ok, it was a shifty bitch to cut, but once I got past this point, it handled and pressed like a boss. It’s also super comfortable to wear on even the hottest day.
Since the fabric does have a tendency to fray, I used flat-felled seams every where in my shirt. I also left off the sleeves and finished the armhole with self bias binding – it makes the shirt really casual and, again, awesome for hot weather. The pockets are the same pockets that come with the pattern, but I made them slightly smaller because the original size was a little overwhelming on me. Buttons are from my stash; they’re just your standard white shirt buttons. Oh! And the matching thread also came from Mood Fabrics – I noticed that when I was ordering my fabric, there were thread suggestions at the bottom of the page. I figured I’d try out the service – you know, for science – and I’m super pleased with the color match. Even more pleased that I was saved a trip to the fabric store. Mostly because those tend to be very dangerous places for my wallet, ha.
The good thing about running a long-term blog and making a bunch of pattern repeats is that you will eventually bore of just making things that are passable to wear in public, and start focusing on really honing your skills to the next level. Or, at least, that’s how it worked out for me. Look at those clean finished insides! I should wear this shit wrong-side out.
I did shorten the length of the shirt by about 2″ – I think the original length was just sliiiightly too long for my height. This way I can wear it untucked or tied at the waist. If I do a half tuck, it doesn’t pooch out all weird like some of my longer shirts tend to do. As always, I finish my shirt hems with self bias facing. I think it makes for a much cleaner finish, and it’s must easier to press and sew those curves with the bias tape instead of trying to wrangle the hem itself.
For my jeans, I used my now-favorite-ever-pants-pattern, the Ginger Jeans. I’ve made this a few times before (and I definitely don’t plan on stopping – I finally was able to invest in one of the denim kits because YAY) and I’m just really happy with the way this pattern fits my body. The fabric is a cool metallic gold stretch denim. I was actually looking for white denim to make this up, despite me being a stain magnet when it comes to white. At any rate, this denim’s wrong side actually is white flecked with very subtle bits of gold, and these very well almost became white jeans. I talked myself out of it because I was afraid the not-quite-pure-white would make the jeans look like they were dirty, plus again, stain magnet. So I stuck with the gold side. Also, this denim doesn’t have as much stretch as my other denims, so the jeans are a bit tight. I had to let the side seams out to 3/8″ or else I would have never gotten these things over my ass. They’re still a bit tight – mostly around the calves – but I’m hoping that they will loosen up a little with wear.
Not much to report on construction. I used a combination of flat-felled and serged seams (as how most RTW jeans are made) and a triple stitch to really make the topstitching stand out. I would have loved to use topstitching thread, but I couldn’t find a good match with what is admittedly kind of a weird denim color. It’s gold, but it’s also kind of beige. Fortunately, Mood Fabrics REALLY came through with that thread match, as you can see in these close-ups.
What else? I did not interface the waistband (I like my jeans with an uninterfaced waistband; it’s much more comfortable. Not sure how that would work with a lower rise, but for the high rise version, it’s perfect). The jeans button is from Pacific Trimming, and the cotton pocket lining is left over from this crazy blue dress.
I will admit right now that this outfit inspiration came way of my boss’ closet. Since I do all her laundry for her (if you are new to this blog and that sounds REALLY WEIRD, I should probably point out that I’m a personal assistant š ha!), I’m always lurking on her clothes and I’m always finding inspiration in some of the strangest ways. She has a similar coral chambray shirt – hers has sleeves and a lace inset at the yoke, though – and white jeans. And I wanted that outfit for me. So I made it š
So, hey, in other news that doesn’t involve me making my fifty billionth b5526 – I’ve got an article out in the current issue of Seamwork Magazine! If you haven’t heard of Seamwork, it’s a sewing magazine that is published online by the masterminds behind Colette Patterns. The magazine is free to read and there are optional pattern downloads with each issue (the patterns you pay for, however). ANYWAY, my article is all about visiting Nashville! I had so much fun writing a city guide about my favorite city in the entire world, and I hope you have fun reading it (and are inspired to come visit because, hey, Nashville is awesome! Really really awesome!). You can read The Seamworker’s Guide to Visiting Nashville at Seamwork. My first published article! Yay!
The reason I follow your blog is because I find it inspiring to see someone sewing wearable separates that will translate into an actual wearable self-sewn wardrobe instead of just a tedious parade of impractical party dresses. I guess some people probably wear party dresses everyday, but I don’t.
There are definitely daily party dress wearers – I used to be one of them! But then I got older and decided that comfy always wins over looking fancy, ha š
I feel the same way, ciara – it always makes me feel better about using the same patterns over-and-over (and sometimes in boring patterns) when I see others doing it. Although at this stage I’m severely lacking in party dresses so end up just trying to dress-up a regular dress when I want to dress up.
I for one am not bored! (And anyone who is – this is not school, and no one HAS to read it.) You always find something interesting to say, such as today you pointed out how the different fabric affected the fit, and why you shortened the blouse a little bit, and the thread-matching service so no one else misses it. And, as you said, outfit inspiration. All good things! š
Good to know! š Sometimes I feel really lame for just repeating the same stuff over and over, but ultimately – this blog is a diary of my handmades, and whether or not they’re relevant to anyone’s interests doesn’t really matter so much as whether it’s relevant to my lifestyle. And like you said – it’s not school, no one HAS to read it. Although, you try telling that to the pearl-clutchers who drop in on old entries and try to shame me for my ~langugage~ (funny, they only focus on the damns and shits. Never the fucks. I don’t get it, either).
Not bored at all, hire. So no more apologies. Making some jeans is not ordinary business. In fact, I still do not dare enter there.
I did not know you were a PA, what an interesting job! I would love to have one myself, haha! Maybe in another life!
On the practical side of things, I would put those back pockets up a little bit. Thay make your botton seem bigger and flatter that it is as they are. My Levi’s backpockets are 2cm from the yoke seam.
Thank you for the Magazine recommendation, I will read you article with devotion. I plan to visit Nashville some day soon. Thank you for shareing. You’r not boring at all.
Excuse my typos!
haha, that’s what everyone says when they find out I’m a PA! I think we could all use one, although being able to actually justify the expense is another story š haha
I agree, the pockets probably need to be moved up – but realistically, they’ll more than likely stay exactly where they are. I can’t even bring myself to do basic mending (forreals, I had a hole in my robe pocket that I left there for SEVEN YEARS before I fixed it two days ago. Literally took 30 seconds to fix. I timed it), let alone unpick triple stitching and try to wrangle pockets on a pair of completed jeans. Just being honest hahahah š
And YES, you should visit Nashville! It’s an amazing city and should be on everyone’s bucket list to check out at least once in their lives š
I’m not bored! I like to see and read about clothes I could wear daily. And I love those button up shirts definitely something I’m going to try myself during summer break when I have a bit more time.
You should try them! Button-ups are sooo satisfying to sew – so much pressing and accurate little topstitching bits. Well, maybe that sounds like a nightmare to you, but it’s fun to me haha š
I had to laugh at “I should wear this shit wrong-side out.” I so admire you and the work you put into your sewing. Your blog is my favourite and the first one I read when there are new posts. I don’t think I’ll ever get bored because even if you repeat a pattern it’s never the same, in fact it shows me just how versatile a single pattern can be if you use your imagination. Another thing I like is that you share pictures from lots of different angles. While I doubt I’ll ever reach your standard, you give me something to aim for.
Aw, thank you so much! š
Keep going, not bored on my end, there is always something in the post that is new, and definitely always a chuckle at Ms. Taylor’s humour!
š
When one is tired of Lladybird, one is tired of life. Or at least, sewing š Ditto to all of the above comments.
Ha! I can agree with that š hahaha
Oh, how I wish I had more time to sew…I’m living vicariously through you. I love this outfit!
You’ll get there someday! Fingers crossed that your time opens up, anyway š
While you may use the same patterns over and over, every item you make is completely unique! Every time you make something it is with a different fabric choice and I love seeing which fabric you choose and how you deal with working with those fabrics. It is great to see how you handle working with more difficult fabrics because I am not brave enough to go there yet! I just sewed my first item out of two-way stretch knit thanks to your inspiration! I also like to see the color and texture combinations you put together. All these things inspire people to sew! Anyway, so basically you are so not boring! ha
Well thank you! And I’m super happy to hear that you were inspired by me to tackle those stretch knits! Aren’t they AWESOME!? Man, I love sewing (and wearing) knits š
It is awesome!! I made a maxi skirt but I have a feeling it may turn into a right above the knee skirt. I’m only 5 ft tall so I can’t decide if I like maxi skirts yet or not. š
Great Outfit! The repeats and ‘daily wear’ items don’t bore me at all. I always learn something from your posts and appreciate the inspiration, because I only really want to sew clothes I will actually wear. The wild and crazy outfits are fun to glance at, but i’m not as interested in them.
I love looking at the wild and crazy outfits, but even more so I love looking at stuff that’s practical and wearable (if not for me, then for the person making it!). I’m glad to hear that there are y’all who feel the same way, because I was starting to feel like the most boring person ever haha
Doll, we read you just as much for your glorious personality as we do your amazing stitching! TNT? Bring it on over and over and over and over! š
Yay! š
That shirt looks soooo freaking comfortable. And I 100% agree with this:
“The good thing about running a long-term blog and making a bunch of pattern repeats is that you will eventually bore of just making things that are passable to wear in public, and start focusing on really honing your skills to the next level.”
I don’t mind seeing more or less repeat posts, because I love seeing how people develop technique, etc. It helps the rest of us figure those sorts of things out for ourselves, and it’s also interesting to me to see how things look made-up in all different fabrics, etc.
Now I’m gonna hop on over and read your article! I’ve never been to TN (bad Kentuckian), but I’ve got lots of friends I should go visit down there.
Oh, you should totally visit! Tennessee is really awesome, and I bet your friends would love to have you visit š
And, to be fair – I’ve lived here almost my entire life (save for a couple short-lived stints in Pittsburgh & New Orleans when I was in my 20s), and I’ve spent *very* little time in Kentucky. Mostly in Somerset, which is where my dad is from (and totally not worth visiting unless you have family there, ha). So I guess we’re both bad š
Just finished reading your article about Nashville — I’ve actually driven through it (I was a passenger at the time, with no “stopping rights”….) and now plan to come back and spend some time. Great read!
Yay! I’m so glad you liked it š
No yawning going on here. I can’t get enough of your Ginger jeans!
Girl, you should make some!
Adorable! I’ll never get tired of this combination. I love seeing how many different ways it can be sewn up. Plus, if that’s what you wear most, who are we to judge!
True!
Your posts never bore me, Lauren. I’d rather see you make stuff you love and wear and learn about how fabric changes things or minutae of new fitting adjustments etc. than see you make stuff you don’t wear… OR feel the pressure to make the latest cool pattern that I know i Won’t Wear! So cheers to you. Be happy with your bad self and your awesome wardrobe.
Oh yeah, I’ve been there and done that and I’m over it! (well, maybe I’ll cave in from time to time – but not regularly! :)). My wardrobe is super happy these days, so I can’t complain! š
Your blog has been such an inspiration! I agree with most of the comments posted so far; it is amazing watching you build your wardrobe, your commentary is hilarious, your blog is nowhere near boring, etc. It would be a SAD day if you ever stopped posting on your blog. The innards of your clothes look so professional- I could stare at their beauty all day (and not in a weird way). Your blog is amazing.
Well shit, thank you so much! I didn’t write that as a passive way to get people to tell me they loved me, but y’all are seriously making me feel really blushy right now. In a good way š
I enjoy all your posts and sewing insight. I really like seeing what you make and feel it is important to make what works with our wardrobe and daily lives.
I agree; since my sewing time is limited, it’s important to spend it making things that I actually want to wear. Gotta make the most of it! š
Love that Mood is providing thread color suggestions with their fabrics online. That’s really smart! I’m totally on board with sewing things you know you’ll love, even if it means reusing the same pattern over and over. I have a button-down shirt pattern waiting to be paired with five or six fabrics already in my stash.
yeah, I can’t believe more places don’t offer that service (or maybe they do and I just don’t know about it? It’s possible), but it’s fucking brilliant!
Love both! I am all about making staple pieces and finding TNT patterns so I totally get where you’re coming from. I’m happy to see that Ginger looks awesome without the rivets. I too got the kit and I’ve been trying to psyche myself up to making it but I think I need to find some cheaper demin to test run with first, and I was toying with no rivets as I’m scared of them I admit. š
Hahahahha, I actually WANT to put rivets on everything but I am having trouble getting a good rivet match with my fabric (I mean, outside of the kit – because the kits are perfect. But I have fistfuls of rivets that I bought when I was in NY in March and also last year and I haven’t used any of them yet!). They are REALLY fun to put in. Way more fun than pearl snaps; you still get to use the hammer, but you don’t have to worry about cracking it š
Mmmkay I trust you… *she says suspiciously* I got nervous when I read the part in Ginger about maybe needing to snip the end off or it’ll look bad (before you hammer it all in) and yadda yadda. lol
I love to sew basic pieces and I always feel like those things are missing! I have 2 pair of Ginger Jeans waiting to be made after I finish some Comic con costumes. By the way, I always look to your blog before I begin any new project because you have sewn through so many patterns that you probably have some tips about whatever I am about to sew. Case and point-I totally sized down on my recent Alma blouse because of one of your posts and it is awesome! Anyways, I love to see whatever you are sewing basics or otherwise!
Oh, that’s awesome to hear! I love it when I can save people the trouble of making my mistakes š That’s the whole reason why I started throwing my sewing shit on the internet – that, and having an ongoing diary of my projects – so it makes me really happy when people tell me that something i posted was helpful š
Okay, the inside of that shirt is pure magic! Honestly, sewing doesn’t get much better than that. You are awesome.
Hehe thank you! I’m working on perfecting my craft – I mean, I’ll never be perfect (I don’t think anyone can claim that, except those who actually do couture), but the journey towards it is really fun š
Flawless as usual!!!
ā„ !
You are at a place in your handmade wardrobe where I want to be! I’ve only been following you a few months so it’s all new to me š
Well, get used to it because this pretty much all you’re going to see š haha kidding! Mostly š
I appreciate that you are on a truly wearable clothes-making kick! I want to make things I will wear all the time.
Also, I love that tiger lilly fabric and I ordered a swatch from Mood with my first and only purchase!! It’s so effin cool! I love the variegations and weird luminescent quality.
It’s REALLY pretty, isn’t it?! I kind of want to buy the rest of it and just hoard it forever for future makes, but that would be mean haha
Have you ever sat around watching TV and then a commercial comes on and you see that Disney is re-re-re-re-releasing Cinderella again? And you think, “WTF? How many freaking times can Disney squeeze life out of that movie?” It’s called a new batch of curtain climbers reaching the age where Cinderella is new and every little 6 year old girl is going to grow up and be her, which translates into chingo dinero for Disney about every 5 years or so. So while you think we might be bored with all your re-makes, I for one, who have been reading your blog for a couple of years seriously don’t recall the last time you made that shirt. Of course I’m older and have the attention span of a gnat (there’s that). And then there’s the twenty-something or teen who is new here…so it’s all new to her. What I’m saying is what might be old news to you is fresh to those of us who land here or we’d move on.
I like that you’re honing your skills and can I ask if you might share that journey with us? Those flat-felled seams look totally Bangladesh (factory). A couple shots of you modeling the things you wear is good but I’d like to see more of a how-to on the nitty-gritty of the techniques. That will inspire me to push my skills more too. You’re a natural teacher so Teach! š I don’t see many sewing blogs that get into the weeds of the skills so you’d be your own niche’. There’s Professor Pincushion (she’s a hoot!) but her blog is for beginners.
Love your blog and your fresh outlook on life. Keep it up!
Haha that’s a good point! Although I’m surprised you haven’t seen this shirt before, because I definitely discovered the pattern a year ago and have made at least half a dozen since š But I love it, so I’ll keep making them!
I’m unfortunately not much of a technique poster – I don’t have the time or camera skills (or patience while sewing – to stop and keep a photo log of the process – to be honest), so while I do like to teach, it’s something I prefer to do in person š Plus, I don’t like to read posts like that – and I definitely want my blog to be comprised of posts that I enjoy reading š haha. I do make it a point to post about tips & techniques that I don’t otherwise see around the blog world (well, the section that I read, anyway!), but I don’t want to beat a dead horse by posting something like the 8,000th full bust adjustment haha š
I am never bored reading your posts!! I love reading about your construction (and have learned tons from you) and I never tire of seeing how one pattern can have so many looks (e.g. B5526) Please, keep it coming! I may have to admit, though, that you might be a bit bad for my wallet as I may, or may not, have run out and purchased patterns because of what you have sewn and blogged. š I would like to ask, though, when you make a sleeved pattern sleeveless, do you alter the armhole in any way, or just put on the self-bias? Thanks so much for your lovely, educational and entertaining posts!!
Thank you! š To answer your question, I think it looks better if you cut out a little bit of the shoulder width and raise the armhole just a smidge if you’re going to convert a pattern to sleeveless (this makes it look less like you just ripped the sleeves off your tshirt, ha), which is what I did with this one. The alterations were super minor – added and removed about 1/4″, which is why I totally forgot about until you asked š
This outfit is great – it’s my ambition to eventually make all wearable clothes, but I’m still tempted by frosting more often than cake!
Congrats on the article! Pretty exciting. I haven’t read any of the Seamwork articles, but do a lot of lurking around the pages and some shifty skim reading. Of course will be making an exception for your article!
I am glad that many of the sewists I follow are repeating patterns. They are able to share their thoughts on a pattern they have experience with and I can learn more from you all as I try some of these patterns for the first time. Thank you!
I bought this exact denim sometime last year with the plans to make some Gingers. Since then I’ve seen and another blogger use it on them! I must have good taste š However, now that there’s a baby on the way, I have to wait *another* year to start them. Oh well, it’ll be worth it!
Anyway, I don’t mind you making repeat projects, love seeing how others improve the way they make basics! Always inspiring me to do better.
I was wondering if you could tell me how much fabric goes into the sleeveless Butterick 5526?? I just picked up the pattern (based on your singin its praises!) and need to buy fabric, and I’m thinking a sleeveless version would be a nice introduction to the pattern– avoid sleeve length issues & plackets & such. Thank you!!
Yay for b5526!! Yardage amount will vary depending on a bunch of factors – your size, the width of the fabric, if you need to print-match, if you’re making self bias facing, etc. What I can tell you is that I sew the size 6, shortened, with self bias facing, and I can get by with about 1 yard of 60″ fabric. I usually buy 1.5 yards to be safe, and just cut a bunch of extra bias facing š Hope that helps!