Happy Shirts Self Challenge

School starts next week. At least for us teachers. The kids get another week, and then it is back to school for them, too. So, I've been thinking about my work wardrobe, and what I should add to it this year. I've thought about style, and a little bit about fashion, and mostly about fun. Happy clothes make me happy. I might as well just go there. Happy clothes make me happy. Happy fabrics help make happy clothes, and I feel happy wearing them.

All this past summer, I've sewn for other people. Mostly my daughter, but also my niece. A few times, I've been out to my cousin Roxanne's house to sew, but she is not in good health right now, so it is a challenge for her. I've worked on a few things for her, but mostly, we've just visited. I've also helped out with my local SCA group, sewing this and that (or other crafts) . Not so much for me.

Now, that doesn't mean that i haven't had projects in the wings. I've collected some fun fabrics. A few days ago, I got out my basket, and went through some. I found six pieces, and I matched six patterns to them. Then, I challenged myself to make a shirt each week for the beginning of school.

My first fabric has a parade of elephants on it. I love it! It is fun without being too bright or loud, and even with elephants on it, it has a certain decorum.

March of the elephants!

I picked out a pattern, and then I started second guessing myself. I'm not a small person (only short). Would wearing this fabric turn me into "the elephant lady?" Wow. That nearly stopped me right there. I looked at how much fabric I had and thought very seriously about making it into a skirt. It seemed to me the elephants would not be so focal if it was a skirt. Ultimately, though, I decided I would get more use and wear from a top than a skirt, although it would make a really cute skirt. So, shirt it is.

The notch neck version, with sleeves added.

I've had this pattern for a long time, but evidently, had never used it. I like a tunic-y top, and I like that notched neckline. Of course I added sleeves, which were included in another view. Easy peasy. I measured and pinned and cut out. Evidently that bike riding is doing SOME good, as it was a smaller size than I thought it would be. In my usual sewing mode, I would then go to the next fabric and pattern, and cut things out until I had a pile. Today, I wanted a finished top, so I took it to the sewing machines.

The facing of this top is narrower than similar tops I've made. I decided to topstitch near the neck, and also and the edge of the facing. Then, I made another line of stitching in between. Sort of a quilted idea. That facing is not. going. anywhere. Actually, I might decide I really like that narrower band. I wasn't thrilled with the point on the notch. This is nothing new, and maybe something I could search for a tutorial on or something. Anyway, I've certainly made worse, and not often made better, so it will do.

I really liked the sleeve for the top, not too long, or bulky or poofed or anything. I made vents on the sides. I've recently taken to finishing what will be the edges of the vents with bias tape before I sew the side seams together. I think I like the way that looks, and the neatness of that edge. I'll see how I like it when I wear it, now, too.

When I tried on my finished top, I was very pleased with the shape and the fit. The neckline was more open than I usually wear, while still covering everything, and the shoulders fit very well. I lengthened it a little bit, because I like that longer length, even though the picture on the pattern shows the top to be fairly long. Still, I some, but not a lot. This may be my new favorite pattern, actually!

Yeah, I hate these mirror shots.

So here, you can almost see what it looks like and how it fits. I paired it with black capris today, and didn't even worry about jewelry or anything else for my fancy photo shoot. OF COURSE no one was home to take my picture... how else to you think I could have finished it in one day?!? Still, I don't think the elephants are overpowering, and I really liked how it fit. Looking forward to wearing it to school!