Grainline Studio Archer #3...The Floral Version

I finally completed my 3rd Grainline Studio Archer Button Up Shirt towards the end of May. You may have seen it in action during Me Made May.

I started this shirt back in April, but my husband had an accident while out on a mountain bike ride, fracturing his pelvis. He spent four days in hospital and then required a lot of help at home to do just about everything. Needless to say, my sewing had to be put on the back burner for a few weeks. Glad to say he has recovered well and is now back at work.

I made this version with the same adjustments as I made for my 2nd version. This time I avoided using a poly cotton blend, and chose this pretty Japanese Lawn (Cluster Floral Pink) 100% cotton, from Spotlight.

I'm wearing it here with my Style Arc Elle Pants in Denim look stretch bengaline, also from Style Arc. The cotton lawn was a dream to sew and pressed beautifully. I didn't have any of the issues I had with my second version.

It was really hard to photograph this pretty fabric as the light is so harsh at this time of the year. I'm really happy with the shape and fit of the shirt.

Instead of buttons, I used these pretty pink snaps that I had in my stash. They were such a good match and I love how they turned out. I only had nine of them, and I needed 8, 6 for the front and 1 for each cuff. I managed to wreck the first one by trying to install it upside down, so the pressure was on to not make anymore mistakes.

All the top stitching was done in white thread. I did add a little extra width to the side seams and arm seams, when cutting out, so that I could do proper flat felled seams.

I love how flat felling makes the inside look as neat as the outside. It's well worth the effort even if it is a bit fiddly sewing down the length of the sleeve.

I found it works out fine if you take it slowly and let the fabric bunch up behind the foot as you go along. I'm really happy with how this Archer turned out and I have worn it a few times already. All the photos were taken by my husband down at our local beach.

 While I was scrolling through Facebook the other day, I stumbled upon a funny coincidence. This add popped up for a new movie "The Shack" and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the actress was wearing my shirt. I'm sure it is the same fabric. 

Happy Sewing

Jean

Me Made May 2017 Wrap Up

Me Made May 2017 is over. This is my fourth time participating, and the most enjoyable so far. Here are my last three days of the month, followed by my reflections on the experience. If you are interested you can see week one here, week two here, week three here and week four here. A reminder of my pledge for this year can be found here.

Day 29 Monday:

Back to work wearing all Stylearc garments again. A Marita Knit Dress in a printed ponte and my very handy Nina Cardigan in black merino knit.

Day 30 Tuesday:

Off to work on the coldest morning yet, this season, wearing Vogue 8805 in black ponte and black and white printed scuba knit with a Deer and Doe Plantain tunic in black merino underneath. Also wearing my  New Look 6249 coat in a black wool blend knit. Drove through frost for the first time this year on my way to work brrrr.

Day 31 Wednesday:

Last day of the challenge. Off to work wearing my Stylearc Adeline dress in a khaki silk/cotton knit with a Deer and Doe Plantain tunic in cream merino underneath.

My thoughts:

I have enjoyed participating in Me Made May this year, much more than previous years. I have put that down to two factors: my 'me made' wardrobe is by far the most comprehensive it has been since I got back into sewing in 2012, and my very patient husband was available to take the daily photos, usually as I was running out the door on my way to work.

I introduced a new colour to my wardrobe, in the form of a rtw scarf in a bright orange. I have always been told that orange does not suit me and I should avoid it. However, I think the pop of orange has worked well in my existing wardrobe.



As I pledged to only wear 'me made' garments (except underwear, jeans and accessories), this increased the challenge and forced me to think outside the box, to come up with new outfits that were going to keep me warm enough. I realised I was relying far too heavily on a rtw black waterfall cardigan, that was getting quite shabby. This prompted me to replace it with a black merino Stylearc Nina Cardigan sewn up during the month. I have two merino Deer and Doe Plantain tees and two more tunic length merino plantains. I utilised these garments extensively as layering pieces under some of my warmer season outfits which would have been too cold to wear otherwise. I plan to by some more merino knit from The Fabric Store Online to make some more of these handy layering garments. I realised I need to make more warm casual tops for weekend wear and some more jackets/coats for work.

A selection of my favourite outfits

Something I hadn't thought of at the beginning of the challenge was sleep wear. All my pyjamas and dressing gowns are rtw. Time to start sewing my own sleepwear, I think. A few patterns spring to mind: The Carolyn Pajamas from Closet Case Patterns; Fifi Pyjamas from Tilly and the Buttons and the Asaka Kimono from Named Patterns.

Well, Me Made May may be over, but I plan to continue to wear 'me made' everyday. I feel quite accomplished for sticking to my pledge for the entire month and posting daily photos on IG. Thanks so much to all the lovely people who took the time to comment on my daily posts. I have so enjoyed following the other participants and the friendly banter shared amongst fellow sewists. Sewing would be a lonely hobby if it wasn't for social media. And finally, a huge thank you to Zoe for hosting this annual event.

Happy Sewing

Jean