a shirt for papa

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?