Making my vacation wardrobe
It’s that time of year: the annual family vacation. This year, we are headed to sunny Florida for 4 days in Miami, a day in the Everglades, followed by 8 days in Orlando with trips to Disney definitely included. Thankfully, my summer wardrobe is pretty well stocked from my time living in Phoenix. Unfortunately, or rather fortunate for my health, I’ve lost 20 pounds this year! It’s been tough and exciting, but I’ve made such tremendous progress. However, that means some of the items in my wardrobe no longer fit me. To remedy this, I’m undertaking an ambitious task of making two camp collar shirts (one in a black, polyester chiffon with a repeating floral pattern and one blue and white striped polyester crepon) and two pairs of shorts (one beige cotton corduroy and the other indigo cotton denim). I say this is ambitious because I have a week and 4 days to complete these 3 projects!
black, polyester chiffon with a repeating floral pattern; blue & white striped polyester crepon with geometric and Islamic shapes; beige cotton corduroy (16 whale); indigo cotton denim
I’m a big fan of drafting patterns, as discussed in my previous blog post. Flat patternmaking is a weird place for me, as I feel it comes naturally to me, but will often stump me. But, I love a good puzzle, so the whole process really captivates and dominates my attention outside of work. I love it sew much (see what I did there? hardee har har) that I completely renovated my entire work space to accommodate a giant patterning table, work on a desk/pressing table, and have sewing machines, patternmaking supplies, rulers of all types, a bookcase full of design and patterning books, and fabric piles neatly scattered throughout. An achievement, for sure, as I only began sewing at the onset of the pandemic.
6’x4x40” Table with shelf; Singer 66k in table; bookcase with patterns, books, printer; Juki Serger; Brother Strong and Tough ST150HD
PGM Size 8 Female dress form; Black poly chiffon with floral print camp collar shirt; geometric canvas pressing table and desk; Saporo gravity feed iron; various rulers, hip curves, french curves
As you can see, I’m most of the way done with project 1, my first camp collar shirt. As of April 13th at 5:25pm (EST), I have to hem the sleeves and put on the buttons and buttonholes. It’s my first for me project in almost a year, and I’m so elated for it to be finished! It’s so flowy and silky feeling and I can’t wait to wear it in the Florida sun.
The pattern for this was a more complicated version of a collared shirt, combining features typically seen in a blazer or sports coat, complete with a roll line and a notched point that folds over. I included a self facing that folds over and attaches to the neckline on the Shirt Front and, because this is an all in one sleeve, used the original armscye shape to mimic a yoke/facing for the back. There is also a pocket on the left Shirt Front that I’ve painstakingly patternmatched, so it blends in nicely with the material. You can see my pattern below (don’t mind my assistant):
The pattern and toile/muslin mock up took about a week to perfect; in normal times, I could’ve done this in a day, but work and life gets in the way. In my professional life, I do academic research, which takes up a considerable amount of time. Overall, though, I’m very excited by the results so far, and am really digging the all-in-one sleeve, the way the fabric drapes around my shoulder, and the speed with which you can make a garment this way! I know these were commonly used in women’s patterns, especially in the 40s and 50s, but who cares. Sew you!