Sew-Along #15 - Sketchbook Shirt + Shorts - Lesson #4

The Sketchbook Shirt + Shorts

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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.

Today we will finish our shirt - WAAHOOOOOOO!

Press your sleeve hem:
*This is out of order from the instructions, but way easier to do right now.*

• Turn the raw edge of your sleeve in toward the wrong side 1/2".
• Press well.
• Turn it in to the wrong side again, this time 1".
• Press well.

  

  I did it there way after sewing the side seam but really, it is simpler to do this first.

• Repeat for the other side.

Side Seam:

• Line up the side seams of your shirt making sure to match the seam of the armscye.  Make sure to unfold your sleeve hem!
  
  
  
• Pin together.
• Sew
  
  
  
• Finish your raw edges with a serger or zig zag stitch.
• Repeat for the other side.
• Hem your sleeves by refolding along your pressed markings.
  
  
  
• Sew along the inside fold.  I chose to do two rows of stitching for an added detail, that is optional.
  

Hem

• Start off by sewing a basting stitch 1/2 inch from the raw edge of the bottom of your shirt.  *This is going to help keep your turned hem smooth along the curves of the shirttail.
  
  
  
• Press the raw edge up toward the wrong side of the shirt along the basting line.
  
  
  
• Turn the raw edge down into the fold with your fingers while you edge stitch the hem.  *If you prefer, you can go ahead and press the raw edge down into the fold to make this step easier.
  
  
  
• Remove your basting stitch.

Almost there, time for BUTTONHOLES!

One of the things I like about this pattern is the inclusion of the button hole guide, no measuring or guessing.

• Take your button hole guide and make sure you have cut slits in all the markings.
  
  
  
• Line the guide up with the seam where the collar meets the shirt (boys are left over right - so your button holes need to be on the left placket when worn.)
• Take a marking pen or chalk and draw a line in each of the markings all the way down (make sure to go from point to point.)
  
  
  
• Create a button hole on each marking.
  
  
  
• Open the button hole with a seam ripper (for safety, place a pin at the top edge of your button hole, so that you can't rip into your shirt.)
  
  
  
• To add the buttons, line the guide up on the opposite placket and mark the center of each button hole marking.
• Sew on your buttons.

Voila - an awesome oxford shirt!!!

* If you would like to enter the prize drawing, please make sure you submit a picture of your completed Lesson 4 to the Facebook Album by 12:00 noon CT, Wednesday, July 16th.

Suzanne