Liesl + Co Classic Shirt

It’s another Liesl & Co Classic Shirt to add to my collection!

There’s always stuff to learn from every make, and this was no exception.

I made this one up in my usual size 4 cup A/B. Having made it up several times before I whizzed through to the end without trying it on.

Then I tried it on.

With hindsight this was probably not the best pattern to use with a fairly structured, stretch cotton.

It felt very bulky. I should have gone for a more fitted silhouette, perhaps one without pleats in the back. Or at least gone down a size.

So, I’ve done some tweaks to reduce the width on the shoulders and sewn down the back pleats to reduce bulk.

This unquestionably helped and I’ve still plenty of room to stretch and raise my arms, obviously probably due to the stretch of the fabric.

Note for next time – lower the bust darts, or tighten up my bra straps!!

I played with the colour of my buttonholes, to mirror the fabric.

End result – I love it!

More details on my blog post https://lovelucie.org/2023/07/31/yes-its-another-classic-shirt/

I've lost count how many times I've made this now! I think this is my fifth!

The Classic Shirt comes in 3 bust sizes. A/B, C and D. This is the bust size A/B made in a simple chambray to replace a Boden chambray shirt that I think I've had for over 10 years.

I've tried a new sew-in shirt interfacing for the collar and added a ribbon on the collar stand that I copied from a sewing tip that came up on my IG feed.

I particularly love this shirt pattern for the instructions of the professional way of attaching the collar into the collar stand, sewing the collar stand to the shirt first, instead of the entire collar and stand to the shirt, as may other patterns. Doing it this way means you don't have to do any hand basting or stitching in the ditch at the base of the collar stand. And you get a beautiful finish on both the inside and the outside.

There’s lots more details in my blog post. https://lovelucie.org/2023/05/05/just-another-classic-shirt/

This is the most detailed, complex shirt I have ever made, and it made me wonder why shirts have sleeve packets instead of something less fussy.  The instructions were great, well reinforced by the sew-along.  Love the classic style, though!  I will be making this again, I chose some inexpensive, lightweight but opaque cotton fabric that would be easy to work with and sufficiently drape for a big, long shirt. In fact, I went up two sizes from my normal size and extended the length, too.

A great deal of thought has been given to helping the sewist maintain precise seams, important in a project like this.  There is supplemental info on faux flat felled seams for the sleeve/side seams, which is a much nicer finish than serging.  Next time, I may try a slightly different method for doing the collar and collar band, because another way I found after the fact seemed easier to me. I did get fairly professional results, with Liesl’s instructions, though.

This is not a one-day project, and it is best to space it out over a number of days, unless you have made one of these already. Then, have a glass of wine to celebrate when you are done!

This is my second go at shirt making and it is a great pattern. I loved that it has different cup size options. Also that I didn't have to grade between sizes for my pear shape as it is quite roomy at the hips. The instructions are pretty good and I also used the sew-along on the OliverandS website a couple of times. All in all very pleased and will definitely make some more.

It’s my new favourite shirt pattern!!

I've made several Hey June Handmade Cheyennes, a few Sew Over It Ultimate Shirts and a **** Bow Blouse and also a short sleeved Gertie Butterick B6563. This is definitely the comfiest, giving me full reach capabilities!.

Perhaps because of the bust darts with A/B, C and D cup size options.

I made a size 4 bust size A/B as according to my bust measurement.

I went for a utilitarian look with the pleated pockets and button down flap option but there are a few pocket options.

I've also seen a Sew a Long on the OliverandS website.

There's more details and images on my blog here