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Created: 18 July 2011

Have you seen the latest Theads magazine? 

Bells Shirt using the Bells and Whistles Shirt pattern.

Whistles Shirt without the "whistles" with added side panels and diagonal inserts.

Kwik Sew pattern with reversed stripe bottom band, contrasting cuffs and collar stand piecing.

Get the latest issue, September 2011 here.

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My husband is a big guy and can't buy his clothes in Topeka, so a couple of summers ago, we went to Chicago to some Cubs games and stopped by Rochester Big & Tall to shop for his clothes. As I was wandering the store, I noticed all of the men's shirts with hidden details - machine embroidery, ribbons, insertions, decorative stitching - and they weren't cheap! I was really fascinated with them.

So I got all inspired to make some great shirts in pretty basic stripes, but then have fun adding the little mini prints, changing the shapes of the pattern a bit, and just generally letting my mind roam about how weird could I make these and still be wearable. Thus, the two articles in Threads.

I guess at some point in my sewing life, I decided that a shirt is a shirt is a shirt, and I wasn't going to make another one according to the pattern ever again.

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Created: 19 July 2011

Whistle-less shirt in a handkerchief weight stripe linen that is easy to sew and wear - EB18495B Linen Voile in Coral

I love the Whistles Shirt, both long and short, and I have made it many times. But the flanges (extensions) in the front and back identify the pattern so uniquely, that you can just make only so many of them.

It has been incredibly hot here in Kansas this summer, so I am looking for cool, but professional-looking, one-layer garments to make and wear to the office. Since I like the basic easy fit of the Whistles Shirt, I took another look at it and decided I could eliminate all of the extra details and it would fall into that category of "that basic shirt" that looks good in any fabric.

So to simplify the Whistles, you will need only 4 pattern pieces:

15 Left Front

16 Left Back

18 Sleeve

19 Collar

Use the Left Front as both the left and right fronts - so cut two.

Add pattern paper to the Left Back and extend the center back line from the neck to the bottom and place that line on the fold of the fabric to cut one complete back piece.

Use the sleeve and collar patterns as is.

Then construct the pattern according to the guide sheet, just leaving out the flanges. It is so easy. I can make this in one night (not a short one, mind you), but one, nevertheless.

The black and white shirt has all the pieces and is made in a great cotton Dubuffett-style print - S2066 Dubuffet-style Cotton Print

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Created: 19 July 2011

I don't always want a zipper closure on the Quincy Top. I can't always find the exact color and length of separating zipper - at least quickly. Also, the fabric that I used, EBL004 Linen - Frosty Pink & Green, was so soft and semi-sheer, that I thought a zipper would be too heavy. So it is possible to convert the front to a button closure with some simple adjustments.

1. The front button plackets can be attached after the rest of the garment is completed.

2. Construct the garment following the guide sheet with two exceptions - do not finish the ends of the collar and don't insert the zipper. The center fronts will be unfinished at this point.

3. After you have attached the collar and hemmed the top, measure the center front from the top of the collar to the bottom of the finished garment. Add 1 1/4" (two seam allowances).

4. Cut two pieces of fabric the length from above by 4 1/4" wide. This will make a 1 1/2"-wide finished placket.

5. Press each strip in half with the wrong sides together. Press one long edge under 5/8".

6. Pin the unfolded edge to the right side of each front edge, centering it so there are seam allowance extensions at the top and bottom. Stitch the plackets to the fronts.

7. Fold the top and bottom ends back on themselves at the foldline with right sides together. Stitch across the top and bottom edges (5/8" seam allowance). Trim, press seam open, and turn the placket to the right side.

8. Pin the folded edge of the placket, just covering the stitching line. Slipstitch the placket in place.

9. Starting 1/4" below the neck seam, stitch five vertical buttonholes 3 3/4" apart down the center of the right placket. Sew the corresponding buttons to the left placket.

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Created: 14 July 2011

The weather is toasty warm! This calls for light, airy fabrics in vivid pinks, greens and blues.  Or if light, pale hues are more your style, stick to soft pastels or "faded" vintage plaids. 

Here's how Linda stays cool in the Kansas humidity.

White Linen pants are a must! Top them off with a sheer button-down shirt or a short sleeve vest. I'm loving pink this summer! Can't get enough of it!

Left: Frosty Pink & Green Linen Quincy Top, White Linen Cropped Valencia Pants.

Right: Coral Linen Voile Whistles Shirt (without plackets), Cropped Valencia Pants (with added band at hem).

Caribbean Linen Nine Lives Vest, White Linen Cropped Valencia Pants.

SALE HAS NOW ENDED! Thank you all for your orders!

Over 30 sale fabrics just added, plus a Fabulous New Selection of Summer Weight Linens!

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Created: 23 June 2011

We received such positive feedback with the How Do You Wear the Tosca Dress, we decided to do it again with our latest love, Quincy Top & Pants.

Enjoy!

Linda, Kathy & Erin each have their own unique style. We decided put together a few looks to introduce our latest pattern, the Quincy Top & Pants. Three different people, wearing the same pattern in completely different ways. 

Read More for style tips from Linda, Kathy & Erin.......

Read more: How Do You Wear the Quincy?

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Created: 21 June 2011

Has the eShrug become your summer staple yet?  I know it has for me. It's always chilly at our office, so the shrug is so easy to throw on with a simple tank, button-down shirt or sleeveless dress.  But what happens when the AC really gets out of hand? 

You whip up another eShrug, but this time in a flattering hip length with longer sleeves. This Maggy London Green Knit eShrug is my go-to garment. My new favorite neutral.

Kathy prefers the simple yet classic version in Two-Tone Viscose Knit in Browns.

Create your own! Download link below.

Quick Tutorial for Lengthening the eShrug

Read More for even more inspirational pictures.......

Read more: How to Lengthen the eShrug