MPB Shirt Sew-Along — Finis!

Only 13 days late finishing for the February Sew-Along, but who's counting — it's done. Yay! Hopefully, Michael will send me a modeled pic or two once he's got his new shirt in hand (or on body?) since my hanger shots are dismal.

The fabric is really nice. I think Michael picked a winner in terms of color and weave. It's 100% cotton and a good shirting weight. Wrinkling during sewing and handling was minimal, so it should wear very nicely.

Here's the back view. I moved the back waist darts a little more toward center, after confirmation from Peter. I also deepened them a little since Michael is very slim in his lower torso.

Here's a view of a sleeve placket. I promise, it lays flat even though this pic indicates otherwise. You can see the buttons better in this shot too. They are purple-y brown with a pearl finish. I like the purple tint as a subtle accent. I hope Michael does too.

Michael wanted the finished length about 1" shorter than the unhemmed muslin, so I cut off 1/2" and then turned up a double 1/4"-ish hem. It's probably closer to 3/8" if we were to get out a ruler.

I had an extra button, so I sewed it to the inside button band. Hopefully, it won't be needed but it's there in case. That was the only button I sewed by hand. The others were attached with my machine. Yay button-sewing foot!

For a bit of personalization and fun, I used the lettering on my machine to create a "label." You can't see it clearly in this pic, but it reads: HANKO • NYC • 2011.

I'm going to toss the shirt into the wash today to remove markings and glue stick, and then it will be in the mail tomorrow. Julia asked yesterday what kind of glue I use. For this, just a regular washable glue stick from Office Depot. (Let it dry before sewing so you don't gum up the needle. Pressing with dry iron speeds that process.) On other projects I also use Glue Pins, which is a clear washable more liquid-y glue, and/or Collins Wonder Tape. They all have a spot in my notions arsenal and are so much easier to sew over than pins. ;-)

Now I'm off to tidy up the sewing room and decide what's up next. I'm feeling a little quilty, so don't be surprised if I head in that direction for a couple of weeks.