Sew-Along #15 - Sketchbook Shirt + Shorts - Lesson #3

The Sketchbook Shirt + Shorts

If you have any questions, suggestions, or tips to share; please make sure to post them on our Facebook group.

Note: If you would like to see any of the images larger just click on them.  

Please read the directions in your Sketchbook pattern all the way through before you begin.  It's also a good idea to read through this sew-along lesson before starting.

All right - today we get to start to see a shirt come alive!!!!!!!!!!

Grab the fronts and back that we worked on yesterday, turn your iron on, and let's get started.

Shoulder:

• Take your Back and fold the outer yoke down (this is the side that is ALL right sides).
• Take the inner yoke and line it up with the Front shoulder right sides together.
  
  
  
• Pin in place and sew.
  
  
  
• Repeat for the other side.
• Press both shoulder seams down toward the yoke.
• Now you are going to wrap the outer yoke around the outside and pin the shoulder together (your fabric may get a little bulky, but just push it out of your sewing area.
  
  
  
  
• Press your seams well.
  

The Collar:

Note: Suzanne does not cover this but the pattern instructions mention using interfacing on one of the collar pieces.  If you purchased a kit you did receive enough interface to do this step.  It will make your collar crisper.

• Take your collar pieces and lay them out right sides together.
  
  
  
• Pin together and sew around the sides and outside curve.
  
  
  
  
• Trim your seam allowance to 1/8".
  
  
  
• Turn and press. Make sure to push out your corners with a turning tool or chopstick.
  
  

Attaching the Collar:

• Open your collar so that you have the two layers separate.
• Pin the underlayer of the collar to the shirt neckline making sure to match the notches with the shoulder seams and center back.
  
  
  
• Stitch in place.  Make sure that you go slowly and don't catch any extra fabric or create any puckers as you sew.
• Trim your seam allowance to 1/4.
  
  
  
• Take the raw edge of your collar and press it in to the collar 1/2".
• Press the collar in place.
• Pin well.
• Edge stitch the inner fold of the collar (you could also stitch in the ditch from the opposite side, but I like edge stitching as the inside of the collar is typically seen more than the outside which is hidden under the collar itself).
  
  
  
  
• You will now top stitch your collar - I like to make sure that my stitching on the front matches the placket stitching as much as possible. (I chose two rows of stitching, you only need one.)
  
  
  
• Fold your collar over and press well with a good amount of steam and some spray starch if you have it so that the collar will lay properly.

Sleeves:

• Take your two sleeves (I am doing short sleeve, if you have questions about the long sleeve, just ask and I'll help you out as much as possible!)
• Lay them out so that they are mirror images of one another.
• Run a basting stitch along the top of each sleeve from marking to marking - this will help ease your sleeve into place.
  
  
  
• Lay your sleeve on top of your shirt, right sides together.
  
  
  
• Pin in place along the curve.
  
  
  
• Sew and finish your raw edge with a serger or a zig zag stitch.
  
  
  
• Repeat on the other sleeve.

That's it, we are done for the day - Monday this shirt is really going to take shape!

* If you would like to enter the prize drawing, please make sure you submit a picture of your completed Lesson 3 to the Facebook Album by 12:00 noon CT, Monday, July 14th.

Suzanne