My new ‘forever shirt’ pattern!

I made the cropped shirt with waist tie in a size 18, and found the sizing really roomy and comfortable. The instructions for the Gilbert are straightforward to follow, and having used the ‘burrito’ method several times before it made sense to me – I actually really liked how it finished the inside of my garment, as I feel this is just as neat and tidy as the main shirt itself. Attaching the collar was a dream, so simple and fuss free, so for that reason alone this pattern wins the award for best shirt construction!

 I left off the sleeves as I love sleeveless garments, which are great for being able to layer in colder weather, so I made binding to finish the armholes. The tie fronts are also fairly easy to do – I had thought they may have been some facing involved but it was a simple case of hemming.

The fabric is a brightly patterned cotton featuring lots of different women and I instantly fell in love with it when I saw it – I love the variation and inclusivity of the ladies featured! Called ‘Spexs Appeal’, it’s from Fabrics Galore London, and is a really lovely lightweight cotton, so perfect for dressmaking shirts.

I would really recommend this pattern, such a satisfying, wardrobe staple make, and it really shows off this amazing fabric so well. It is also a pretty quick make once you get the hang of it, so a good pattern for when you want a quick and simple sew.