The 15-Minute Flannel

I'm glad to be back to Fabricmart's blog with my new cozy flannel.  Sewholic's latest PDF pattern, the Granville Shirt, is the perfect fitted shirt pattern to make a classic flannel shirt while still looking like a girl.  I used this soft plaid 100% cotton flannel from Fabricmart.  It's lightweight and dreamy to wear but it also holds it's shape like a good quality flannel should.

So...it didn't actually take me 15 minutes to make this shirt so why call it the 15 minute flannel, you ask?  Time being what it is in my life right now, I didn't have the opportunity to set aside large blocks of sewing time so I decided to make this shirt in short, 15-20 minute sewing spurts.

A shirt like this, with lots of details, is the perfect project to break up into smaller parts.  I found sewing this way made me take my time and focus on each part to be sure everything was done right.

In just 15 minutes or so I could do quite a few separate things:  apply interfacing and rethread the serger, add pockets and front darts, attach collar band and make collar, make sleeve plackets and sew side seams and set in sleeves.

Sewholic's patterns are geared toward the pear shaped figure which is quite refreshing for the sewing community.  I wouldn't consider myself a pear shape, so I took out some of the hip curve in the side seam.  You can see here it's pretty curvy!  The instructions have lots of drawings and well written step by step instructions which lends itself to sewing in small time increments.

The pattern uses mostly traditional construction techniques aside from the collar.  I was tempted to use my usual collar application but I decided to stick right with the instructions (I know...yay for me for following directions).  The collar band and collar band facing are attached to the neckline of the shirt first (like the photo above), then the collar is attached to the band.  This is the first time I've ever seen this in a collar and I had to read it a few times to get it.  The collar band and facing are then stitched, right sides together from the tip just to where the collar starts.  After turning the collar band right sides out, the collar is sewn to the band and slipped in.  It worked great and it made topstitching a breeze.

I made three small changes to the shirt.  First, I cut the pocket, sleeve cuff and back yoke on the bias, second, I made the collar band facing and cuff facing out of contrasting fabric (polka dots because what could be better?) and lastly, I used pearl snaps instead of buttons and that made it easy and fast.

This Granville pattern is a perfect wardrobe staple  It makes up great in casual flannel but it would be beautiful in a floral voile or classic in crisp white broadcloth.  I'm sure I'll be making it again soon.

This is likely my last winter project and now I'm off to thinking about spring sewing.  What's next for all of you?

My photographer is back from college for the weekend.  Isn't she cute!

Ooooo...I love Valentine's Day!

Some cute little Valentine's Day pouches I made with metal zippers.  I hope you had a Happy Valentines Day!

January was a great time to start a little spring cleaning and dream about upcoming sewing projects.  I have one more winter project in the works and then it's on to spring.  Although most of my projects begin with a pattern or fabric I absolutely can't live without, I'd like to spend more time on projects that enhance the versatility of my wardrobe.  I'm inspired by Colette's Wardrobe Architect, a series of blog posts containing style therapy and practical ways to focus sewing projects, all while looking and feeling better about yourself.   Although I haven't completed all of the exercises, I did find a lot of value January's exercise, choosing core patterns.

In choosing core patterns that both fit my body type and lifestyle, I found I chose many of my "tried and true" patterns.  These are the patterns I make and wear over and over because they are good styles for me and I have the fit down pat.  I'd like to have a few more of these TNT's so I did some searching and posted these ideas on a Pinterest board.

One of the patterns I came across is a "new to me" pattern, New Look 6194, that I have passed over many times.  I saw a version of this top by on Kollabora by Fruitylily (she's the cutest) that made me to take a second look.  I often wear sleeveless tops because so much of the year it's hot where I live so this will be a great addition to my TNT's. 

I visited the Rebecca Taylor website and found 3 amazing tops I could make from this one pattern.  The first would be beautiful made in cream silk crepe and embellished with black lace.  Simple and feminine without being frilly.

By changing the neckline from boat neck to a v-neck, I would have a completely different blouse.  Made up in a rayon challis with trim at the neck, this is a versatile wardrobe option. 

The third blouse would be lovely in a bright silk charmeuse and chiffon. Paired with jeans,  it makes it easy to look put together.  Mmmmm.

Wardrobe Architect is inspiring me to look at patterns as more of a canvas for creativity.

Are there any other Wardrobe Architecters out there?