Wednesday 6 November 2013

A new shirt for hubby is ...

... long overdue! He started up bike riding (seriously, the Lycra cladded, Tony Abbott type of bike riding) and has lost an enormous amount of weight. Which means that his shirts now wear him, instead of him wearing the shirt. So for a quick and easy make I decided on KwikSew 3422, view B, with no extra features. The fabric being a check was enough of a feature this time around.


But, due to his changed body shape (welcome to 'My World', hubby dear), and age (just had to get that one in as well) I made one major change to the pattern. From being hunched over the bike handles poor hubby now has slightly rounded forward sloping shoulders! Admittedly, he probably always had this, but it is just such a good feeling to point out body flaws that aren't one of my many body issues. One of the best on-line shoulder sloping adjustments I found was from Peter, of male pattern boldness fame


And other than that, all I did was add on 10cm to the overall length (hubby is 6'4" tall), and the shirt was done! 

Oh, I did add on 2cm to the front of the yoke, and take the equivalent 2cm off the front piece - I am not fussed on how this pattern has the yoke front finish right on the shoulder line. 

And I did use a plain navy for the inside yoke, and the under collar - sometimes I just think 'all-over' check is a little too much!


All in all a quick make, and definitely this won't be the last from this pattern. Summer is quickly approaching and the guys always are in need of cool shirts to wear. KwikSew 3422 will be a winner in this department ... J

46 comments:

  1. Great shirt. I like the adjustment you made to the yoke and the contrasting yoke/under collar

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    1. Thanks, the contrast does make it look a little smarter ... J

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  2. Your husband's shirt came out great! You must get him to model it for the blog!

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    1. I certainly will next time he wears it ... J

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  3. What a great shirt Judith. Very smart. Where did you find the fabric - finding male appropriate fabric is not easy. Must get the pattern and make my DH one as well. You are a tall family.

    Are you going to join DH in wearing lycra and riding bikes? Or stay gardening instead? (I know what I would do, it starts with g!)

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    1. I'm definitely a 'G' type of girl ~ much safer ... J

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  4. Very nice indeed. Your hubby is lucky.

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    1. Thanks, BeaJay! And I enjoy sewing the shirts, so win-win ... J

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  5. Very nice shirt! It looks so well made. I just love when checked/plaid shirts have the yoke and button placket cut on the bias. I have to try that myself someday.

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    1. Yes it was a bit of fun to add in these little features. Takes a little longer, but that doesn't really worry me ... J

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  6. lucky husband, very nice shirt, happy sewing to all

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    1. Thanks for the compliment on the shirt ... J

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  7. Such a good make! I love the detail of the contrasting under collar.
    And with alterations and all. Very profesional. I´m in awe!
    Must take the plunge myself and sew one for my husband!

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    1. It was enjoyable sewing this shirt, with the little details. And a nice change from the dresses I have been making of late ... J

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  8. Good on him for needing new clothes for all the right reasons, even if it has left him with a hunch! DH seems to be a little jealous that the baby is the one getting all the new clothes, so I might have to try and find some fabric he'll realistically wear and give it a go!

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    1. It is so hard to find guy's fabric, that they will wear! Keep on baby-sewing as they grow so quickly ... J

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  9. Great job on the shirt..Looks very nice.. Congrats to hubby for loosing the weight, the healthy way..

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    1. Thanks, Judy! It is a lovely cool cotton ready for summer ~ just have to hope he doesn't drop down another size ... J

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  10. Congrats to your husband for getting in shape and losing weight. A new shirt expertly made by you is a lovely reward.

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    1. Guess I will be up for a few more once I find some more fabric that he likes ... J

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  11. You could go into business! Great shirt!!

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    1. Think I will stick with teaching for a few more years, but the shirt was a dream to sew ... J

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  12. Very smart shirt and congratulations to your husband he has done well losing weight and getting into shape.

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    1. Thanks, Sharon! He makes me want to get fit as well ... can I see a New Year's Resolution in the making !?! ... J

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  13. Looks great - this is the pattern that I use for Mr. SDSC's shirts. Love the contrast as well - very neat!

    Could you share how you attach the collar and cuffs? Just wondering :)

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    1. It is a great pattern, isn't it? I attached the collar as the instructions stated, but it is a short sleeve shirt so there are no cuffs. Just the hem of the sleeve turned to the outside (the fabric was the same both sides) and then stitched down with a small pleat ... J

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  14. I've made this shirt for my hubby several times (and need to make some more!) and it's by far my favorite men's shirt pattern. It comes together perfectly and fits beautifully. I love the fabric you used on this shirt, gorgeous!! Great job!

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    1. Yes, I can see me making a few more of these in the coming months and years. It seems to be a great basic pattern that makes up well ... J

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  15. Very professional looking shirt. Love the contrasting bits to break up the plaid. Might have to borrow that idea.

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    1. By all means borrow what you can use! Sometimes a plaid can get a bit much for the eye to look at ... J

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  16. Great shirt! Looks so professional, and I really like the check you found. Congrats to hubby on his weight loss!

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    1. Thanks, Coco! I just have to watch he doesn't drop down another size - then this shirt will be baggy as well ... J

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  17. Nice job. As you point out, men have fitting problems also. Yeah, welcome to our club indeed.

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    1. I am with you ~ how funny it was to subtly point out to hubby his little tiny body flaws ... J

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  18. Your shirt looks very RTW but 'better'. Great work!

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    1. Thanks Sue! It was a lovely fabric to work with ... J

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  19. Very nice. Congrats to your hubby on weight loss. It looks like a very wearable RTW shirt.

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    1. It is great he lost the weight, but why do guys manage to lose it in the right places, and super quick!?! ... J

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  20. Great looking shirt! I'm so not letting my hubby see this one as the shirt I started making him months ago is still sitting on my dress form waiting for it's collar and buttons to be added LOL

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    1. Go and finish it off for him ~ though I don't enjoy sewing on buttons either ... J

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  21. Great shirt. I'm such a selfish seamstress!

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    1. So am I! My ratio is about 1:10 in my favour ... J

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  22. Looks great, Judith. I love that bias yoke!

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    1. Thanks, Peter! Due to your great shoulder help it fits like a dream ... J

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  23. Great shirt! You matched the checks perfectly!

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    1. It was a tiny check to match, which made it all that easier ~ not sure if a larger check would have played so fairly with me ... J

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