Sunday 28 January 2018

Thread Theory Designs: Fairfield Button-Up

My two youngest offspring.

My youngest son returned to Medical School yesterday, to begin his second year of study. He will be based at Shepparton Hospital in Victoria, this year, and will be required to wear doctor appropriate clothing, five days a week. I have been promising to sew him a shirt for ages, so I finally thought I had better make good on that promise, especially now that he has a genuine need for decent button-up shirts.

Thread Theory Designs Fairfield Button-Up

The pattern I used was the Thread Theory Design Fairfield Button-Up shirt. I ordered the printed pattern through Pattern Review and was amazed at how quickly it was delivered to me in regional NSW Australia. It comes packaged in a lovely cardboard sleeve. Inside is the multi sized pattern printed on tissue paper. There are pattern pieces for average figures, as well as fuller figures, and also a comprehensive and well illustrated instruction booklet. I also found the online Sew-a-long very helpful.

Thread Theory Design Fairfield Button-Up
I cut a size small, grading down to an extra small for the waist and hips, based on my son's measurements. I also cut a medium length in the body and the arms. My son wanted a fairly slim fitting shirt and that is certainly what he got.


Luckily I used a super stretch cotton poplin from The Remnant Warehouse which has quite a bit of stretch, as the shirt is a little too narrow across the shoulders. As the fabric stretches, it is wearable, but I will size up for the next one. If I had made this in a non stretch fabric, it would have been too uncomfortable to wear.


I didn't make any design changes to the shirt and sewed it up exactly as instructed. The front button band is not a separate piece, which reduces bulk and I really like how it turned out. Not sure if I love the pocket design, but it turned out ok. Apparently Thread Theory Designs offer some alternative pocket designs that can be downloaded for free. I will have to look into this for the next one.


The pattern includes all the usual features of a typical men's shirt including tower plackets. I have had terrible trouble in the past with fusible interfacings that bubble, so I decided to use a sew in interfacing for this shirt, and had much better results. I interfaced the sleeve plackets too as I was concerned that the stretch fabric might be too easily distorted when sewing these. I'm quite pleased with how they turned out. I skipped adding the extra button half way along the placket, as this shirt will most probably be worn with the sleeves rolled up most of the time.


Sleeve tabs are also included in the pattern. This is a handy feature as I just said: the sleeves will be rolled up most of the time. The sleeve length was a little short, despite cutting the medium length, so I will lengthen the sleeves a couple of centimetres for the next one.


The pattern was unusual in that the pattern pieces were cut already graded for the flatfelled seams. This took a bit for me to get my head around, as I am used to trimming the seam after sewing to prepare for the flat felling. Once I worked out how to line up the pattern pieces this method worked quite well.


This shot shows the slim fit of the shirt. I really liked this pattern and will be sure to use it again. These photos were taken in a rush as he was about to leave for the seven hour drive. I didn't have time to wash out all the pink pencil marks on the shirt so I hope he copes ok with that. I gave him a quick ironing lesson the other night, as he will have quite a bit of ironing to do this year. Nice to know that although he is much smarter than me, I can still teach him something.


Happy sewing

Jean

21 comments:

  1. How fun to sew for your son! This shirt turned out beautifully. He will look very sharp in his new shirt.

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    1. Thanks so much Kelly. It was a pleasure to sew for my son and so rewarding to see his appreciation.

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  2. that shirt is fantastic, looks so crisp.

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    1. Thank you Beth. I still need to work on getting the collar and collar stand a little neater, but I guess practice makes perfect.

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  3. That looks so professionally made! I'm sure that was a labor of love. You could be getting orders from all of his coworkers before you know it!

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    1. Thanks so much Ann. It was definitely a labour of love. I could never sew for a living, I'm far too slow and no one could afford to pay me for the time I take, but I do enjoy sewing for my loved ones.

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  4. You've made some great shirts over the time I've been reading your blog, and this one is no exception. He'll definitely look the part in this shirt!

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    1. Thanks so much for your lovely comment Paola. This is the first time I have tried the Fairfield pattern, but I'm sure it won't be the last.

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  5. Great shirt and he looks very handsome in it. GV Health looked after both my parents. It is a great hospital and Shepp is a nice city. Not that I am bias.....

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    1. Thank you Vicki. He has settled in well and said that all the staff at the hospital have been very welcoming. He's all set for a great year...I just need to knuckle down and make him a few more shirts.

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  6. What handsome kids! I think this is a great looking shirt, and now you know what to do to make it perfect.

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    1. Thanks so much beckster. I am looking forward to making another one with a few slight alterations to improve the fit.

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  7. Wow! What a well made shirt. Very impressive.
    Lee

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    1. Thank you so much, Lee. I appreciate your lovely comment.

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  8. Good looking boy in an immaculate shirt - very smart.

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  9. What a lovely gift for your son! You must be so proud of him. Our children still continue to need us as they get older...you never stop being a parent and a source of wisdom and encouragement!

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    1. Thanks for your lovely comment Karen. It is very rewarding to be able to sew for him and he was telling me that his uni colleagues were amazed that his mother had made his shirt.

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  10. Two of my most favorite photos in this lovely post are the first and the last! Your children so look like you and have sunny, happy smiles. Dealing with pre-cut flat-felled seams would take a little wrapping one's head around!! This tailored shirt is amazing. :)

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    1. Thanks Lisa. I love the first photo too. I'm not really a fan of the pregraded seam allowances. I think it makes it a little confusing.

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