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

2 new shirts for guys ...

... it's nearly Spring Down Under, which means time to get ready for long sunny days, and  restock the basic casual shirts for the two males in my household! 

First off is another Vogue 8759 for my son. His request was for it to be trendy, no pocket, have a personal look, and be easy to wear. Fabric is from Spotlight, a light Japanese Lawn that is just perfect for a one-season shirt. For this shirt I used a navy lawn for the inside back yoke, inside neck, collar under, as well as the front plackets. The sleeves, collar and back yoke are all put together with the wrong side of the fabric outermost - apparently an 'in-season' trend in the shops! I did bring the front yoke section forward again, by about 5cm so that the yoke seam wasn't sitting right on the shoulder - this is just a personal preference of mine. So another winner for the son in the household!

Next up is KwikSew 3422 for the Hubby! Not as fitted in the body, but still a good shape to it anyway. I used View B, but with the collar from View A (as it had a collar stand which I prefer.) Again I used a contrast colour for the yoke, placket and collar components - just because I can! And I added in a touch of a fancy looking pocket. Totally useless to put anything in, but I enjoyed sewing it.

Both guys have put in orders for their next shirts - but they will be at the end of my long selfish 'me' list of sewing!