a shirt for papa
Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 9:06PM 
I'm not a sew-and-press kind of seamstress. I rarely use an iron while I'm sewing and most of the time I don't even use pins. I don't interface the things I'm supposed to interface and you know what? It usually works out just fine. But I'm also usually sewing for a baby. It's been a long time since I sewed something I would consider wearable by an adult; the patience and the time both elude me. For Hanukkah, though, I wanted to make something special for Nathan. He wears his clothes until they're threadbare and buttonless and torn at the knees, and we don't always have the money to replace the stuff he's worn out.
The pattern is McCall's 6044 and it came together very easily. I've never had much luck with collars, but wouldn't you know: pressing your seams and using pins actually helps. Huh! Note: the ghetto homemade label.
The only frustrating or difficult part of the whole endeavor was putting on the snaps, and there were two casualties. The pearly tops cracked twice, but the snaps were already stuck on so I just let them be. I got a blister using the blasted pliers, but it was worth it to avoid sewing twelve buttonholes. When, oh when will shirts that close with velcro become fashionable?
It looks super good on him and I'm totally pleased with the end product. Now that the pattern is cut out and I've worked through it once, I can make him a whole wardrobe of western shirts. Any volunteers to attach the snaps?
Reader Comments (2)
super snazzy! I've been too chicken to attempt anything with snaps so far, but those pearly snaps look great.
thank you! the snaps were actually way easier than buttonholing, which i hate with a fiery passion. if i had any muscles, it would've been a cinch. i think i'm gonna have to get one of those hand muscle springy press things to bulk up before the next shirt. also: i would not attempt them with a hammer, but would most definitely recommend buying the plier set from joann with one of the plentiful 40% off coupons they send out.