03 Oct 2012 5 Comments

Making the Negroni Classic Shirt from Colette Patterns (I)

I want to learn how to make classic shirts.

I gave it a lot of thinking before buying the man shirt Colette pattern Negroni. I considered making my own, which doesn’t seem too complicated; or transforming a button-less shirt pattern I have in a copy of Burda magazine (before it was Burdastyle, ha!)

However, as I am learning more about pattern making and just starting to become more familiar with my own three-dimensionality, I start to understand how important pleats, curves and their position on the pattern are. And I don’t know that much about dressing a man’s body.

After geeking out online it seemed that the Colette pattern was the best choice. Sewists say this is a good pattern if you’re making your first shirt: not too complicated and good instructions.

I browsed the instructions leaflet (what a beauty, love the vintage feeling. Even the future owner of this shirt liked the look and compactness of the pattern book) and apart for two steps I had to leave for later to understand the instructions were clear and nicely drawn.

I also like the suggestion to relax and take your time when you’re making something for yourself. My sewing is anything but relaxed. It’s fun, it’s experimental, it’s sometimes happy, other times dirty mouthed, it’s caffeine-induced and fast paced. But I might give this relaxed sewing a try :)

What about you? Did you sew the Negroni or other classic shirts? Any tips?