This was actually the first shirt I made from the Burda 7045. The owner-to-be was my dad, whose body shape meant that the pattern needed a few adjustments. Usually, he buys plus sized shirts that fit him around the waist, but are then too long, and too wide over the shoulders. The resulting look is less than flattering, adding volume where it is not needed. In other words, it was not an option simply to grade up the pattern.
The length, shoulder and neck was just fine in a size 60, but space was needed for the stomach. To do that I slashed the pattern from mid shoulder to the hem, and spread until the waist measure was right. Then I re-drew the arm scye and the side seam. (Oh, how quick it is to write it! I had never done anything of the kind before, so it took me ages to work out how to go about it, and then actually do it.) I didn’t have the option of making a muslin to check fit (we live far apart), so I did fret over how it would turn out.
Is that right? Is that how it’s supposed to be?
Nothing beats a crisp collar. Nothing.
Hopefully it will take the attention away from the slightly misaligned pocket. Sigh. Checks are not very forgiving in that respect.
Bias tape to finish sleeve hem.
It was alright on the day, though. Not only that, my dad was just so pleased; he even made favourable comparisons to clothes that his dad – a tailor – had long ago sewn for him. That felt rather good, have to say.
Here he is, looking dandy.
‘Hey.’
Very good of the sun to play along. One of many times this late summer – and now autumn – when you couldn’t have a conversation without someone eventually saying, ‘better enjoy it, could be the last good day of the year.’ We did.
Carefully Sewn 