Simplicity 3847 Shirt - Part 5

It's completed!

I finally finished the shirt. As you can see the sleeves are now cap sleeves adapted from original pattern. 

The buttonholes sewn by hand, buttons added, shirt hemmed.

I think I need to press it again as the collar isn't sitting quite right. But its finished. :)

First entirely completed project that doesn't have 'one little thing' waiting to be done to finish.

SImplicity 3847 Shirt - Part 4

I took the sleeves off and adjusted them to make them cap sleeves, so I didn't have to re cut them. (Quick thank you shout goes to MrsC at Hectic Eclectic for her helpful advice).

If I do this pattern again I shall use a sleeve pattern from another shirt. As the ones that came with this one have been a nightmare.

I have also marked out and made a start on the buttonholes. They take ages by hand don't they?

Will get back to them...just got distracted by the skirt. lol!

Simplicity 3847 - the shirt - part 3

I shall now bring you up to date on this project.

Sleeve

First I sewed the sleeve as per instructions. It said to hem the 'cuff' before attaching to armhole.

I eased the sleevehead pinning it in place....

Pinning sleeve in armhole

Then sewed both sleeves....

sleeve from top

Now here is the complete shirt..well almost complete buttonholes still to be done.

front

Front (inside out)

Back (inside out)

Back

I have a little problem. When trying it on I found my arm movement was severely restricted. If I tried to lift arms up and 90 degrees the armband dug into my arm. Thus I seem to be stuck with arms at my side with it. I cut the pattern accurately and followed the instructions. 

sleeve shown inside out

Why is it not working?

Is there adjustments that need to be made....what are they?

To me it seemed like they needed to be wider at the armband....is this assumption correct?

Simplicity 3847 - the shirt - part 2

So thanks to some help and suggestions from a sewing forum I have got past the stage I was stuck on.

But before I come to that lets review...

I stay stitched the collar and sewed in the darts.

Then sewed up sides and shoulders.

I then sew to work on the collar and facing. I machine stitched at first as that's what the instructions said..but soon gave up when it prooved too tricky for me to sew with any accuracy. Very long stright seams is one thing on a machine but small curved shapes are just too hard. Got much neater result sewing it by hand...don't care if it takes me a week to make.

pinned and sewed 'hem' on facing

 (small note here I did accidentily fold over the wrong side and sew it - then had toseam rip it and start again)

Pinned on collar.

Sewing by hand enabled me to use blanket and herringbone stitches at some poinds for both decorative effect and neatness.

Herringbone

Blanket

I ended up attaching collar in the way I thought it fitted rather than as I thought I'd diciphered from the pattern.

So here is the shirt as it stands. needs pressing again.

But next step is sleeves....then buttonholes. Two things I haven't sewn before. And I'm doing it all by hand rather than machine.

1950's shirt...or near enough

Simplicity 3847

Look what I found...I loved the fabric print so bought 2 meters of each colour. I am gonna use the blue fabric first with the matching buttons. Hopefully it will be easy. The instructions seem to make sense...well most of the time. I have already cut out the paper pattern. Might cut out the fabric today.
So what do you think? Did I make the right choice. Its not authentically vintage looking but I think it might give a nod to the era.

I also bought some stuff for my 40's skirt...but that's project for another day.

In other news bought a copy of 'Sew' magazine...got tempted by 'free pattern' just flicked through it looks good. Will have to get next issue, looks like shirt dress pattern is included.

Simplicity 3847 - Shirt - Links
Part 1
Part 2 
Part 3 
Part 4
Part 5