Tao Raglan for Men

I have a new favourite t-shirt pattern for men.

The Tao Raglan by Sinclair Patterns.

I had the privilege of testing this pattern and was impressed by the quality of the drafting and how well the pieces fit together. 

Plus, the final result is well worth the amount of fabric needed for men's clothing. 

The pattern comes in short, regular, and tall and it is a multi-sized pattern so all the tall sizes are nested. As are the short and regular--each in a separate file. This makes blending sizes easy. 

(This is a newer feature for Sinclair patterns, so if you were turned off by the individual sizing in the past, do check this one out!)

There is a regular length and a tucked in length, long and short sleeves. 

I chose to make the regular, tucked in length with short sleeves. 

The fabric used is a lighter weight, drapey athletic jersey for the body and another unknown content fabric--both of which I got off a destash. 

This pattern will be getting more use--I think it'll be my go-to for shirts for my husband. 

Get it on sale for $6.99 until January 18th 2018. 

Newcastle Cardigan

Quite some time ago now, I won a pattern from Thread Theory--the Newcastle Cardigan.

After finding some really nice ponte de roma fabric from Girl Charlee (affiliate link--I will get a small commission if you sign up for an account and order after clicking through this link!) in burnt orange and dark chocolate brown, I finally got around to making one for my man!

 

He has fun 'modelling' for me....ha!

 





 

I love the fit on him--I sewed up a medium, and it fits really nice.

It looks like it's too short on the above picture, but it was just bunched up yet.

The details and finishing is very well done in this pattern.

I had the option of doing a large cowl or a small one.

Knowing my man and his tastes, I did the smaller one.

 

I ordered some lovely wooden buttons from SkullButtonry on Etsy (Affiliate link--sign up for Etsy through this link, and receive $5 to spend. I will also earn a small commission as well.)

They had to ship all the way from Australia, and did take a bit longer than expected, but they are beautiful, and well worth the wait!

 

 

I think it passes inspection!

Manly Cloth Napkin

I was recently asked to make a man bib.

I was picturing a man wearing a much enlarged baby bib and it just did not make for a pretty picture.

So, I found this: Cloth Necktie Napkin Tutorial by Sweetie Pie Bakery.  



Img from Sweetie Pie Bakery

 I made the actual napkin a little bigger since it was to be for a man, and I zig-zagged the tie onto the napkin to make a cleaner finish.

 

 

Now, I just wish my photography skills would improve...sigh...

 

The black (yes it is black, not grey) fabric is broadcloth left over from my sons' capes.

The red flannelette was also from my stash...I was surprised how many reds I actually have--not tons since I don't often use red, but enough to have some selection.  

 

 

But, this should work, and my customer seemed happy with it when she picked it up.

 

 

 

 



Polo Shirt for my Man!

 

Yep, that's my man!

I'm quite surprised he actually posed for me.

But, what he's modelling for me today is the Jalie Polo shirt I sewed up for him last week. I think I'll be sewing more of these--I really like how it turned out!

It has some great details like a back yoke, which if you look closely you can see--I surprised myself with how the lines matched up.

 

And, then the shoulder tabs add some good detailing.

 

I had actually asked him what details he wanted--wether he wanted two pockets or one, with button flap closure or none. Shoulder tabs or not.

I like how we think alike--this is what I would've done if it had been up to myself as well.

 



 

The main fabric is from Fabricland which we (as in my husband and I) spotted as we were getting the other fabrics cut. It was on sale, otherwise I would never have bought it at around $20/metre! And, my rather enabling husband was along--some encouragement from him as well. So, of course I had to sew something for him out of it--though I threatened him that I might keep it for myself--it is so thick and luxurious feeling.

(I know--why am I sewing something thick just before summer...would've been better to sew this up in the fall!)

The black ribbing that I used for the collar, placket, pocket, shoulder tabs, and sleeve bands are from the 2nd-hand store here in town.

For the collar, instead of regular interfacing, I found in an earlier project that Wonder Under works as a interfacing as well. My Decor-bond interfacing is a bit heavy for projects like this.

 

 

 

Have you checked out the giveaway and joined up to sew for Pregnancy Care Centres, here?

 

 

 

 

 

Pete for Brad

I had purchased some fabric from Girl Charlee Fabrics a couple of weeks ago and I had chosen two striped fabrics so I could make shirts for my husband or my sons. I had chosen a 'Green tonal stripe cotton jersey knit' and a 'Cloudy blue charcoal stripe cotton jersey knit' and as I suspected my husband's first choice was the green.

 

 

So, I pulled out my Pete pattern from Burdastyle and thought that I could finish a shirt in an evening.

Nope. It took much longer than anticipated.

 

 

The pattern is quite simple and I've made it before (the solid green shirt (fabric from our local Marshalls Fabrics)). But, the thin jersey fabric kept catching on my sand-paper hands and, my machine was not co-operating this time. I think because it was such a thin fabric.

 

 

So, after giving up my attempts at twin needling--especially after I had figured out how and then to my dismay when the fabric was stretched, it for some reason was not secured at the ends and came completely loose even though I had done the whole backstitch or knot stitch. (If you have any advice as to how to secure the beginning and ending of a seam, let me know!)

 

 

I do enjoy adding the finishing touches like a little love note on the tags. Don't mind the messy seam on the newest shirt--like I said, my machine and I were not getting along during the making of this shirt.

 

So, now my husband has two shirts made by his wifey and he actually likes them too. He has worn the dark green one many times and the striped one he wore for a while last night, letting me know that it is very comfy.

YES! All my mutterings to myself and my machine was not for nothing.