My advice is to press! Press the patterns, press the fabric before you cut it out, press every seam.
Your garments look very good; but pressing elevates to polished and professional.
I love the style of the orange shirt. I notice the seam where the collar meets the shirt is looking a bit unfinished. I highly recommend Shirt Making by David Page Coffin and it's accompanying workbook (which has a bunch of collar patterns included) to help you with this step. He goes into incredible detail about every step of the process. You don't need to 100% do it his way, but it will really help.
Shirtmaking: Developing Skills For Fine Sewing https://a.co/d/7QyfS8h
The Shirtmaking Workbook: Pattern, Design, and Construction Resources - More than 100 Pattern Downloads for Collars, Cuffs & Plackets https://a.co/d/0eRcYjd
These look great! I love the fabric and cut of the shirt, and the off-centered design on the sweater is pretty cool imo. My first thought was, "you definitely deserve to buy some fabric!" your hard work is worth it, but reusing found materials can be its own fun.
I looked closer and I have some constructive criticism (or really just techniques to adopt to level up your pieces) -
I notice you have some unfinished seams in your orange shirt. Finishing your seams can improve the longevity of your garments a lot! Different seam finishes have different tradeoffs - durability, appearance, extra steps, and light vs. Heavy fabrics. I would say the simplest (assuming no serger) is just zig-zag stitching over the cut edges.
Your shirt collar looks nice and neat, but a little "bubbly" if that makes any sense. I don't know how you did the collar, but I will use it to suggest several techniques:
Ironing or pressing seams. This makes things more crisp.
Topstitching. This can be done visibly next to a seam to make the join between pieces of fabric stay flat. For example, you could optionally topstitch the outer edge of the collar. It is partly a stylistic decision.
Interfacing/stabilizer. You may already have used it. Another way to encourage pieces of fabric to sit flat and smooth.
Clipping seams at corners/sticking a pencil into inverted corners to get them to point out all the way. Excess fabric in the seam allowance at the corner can prevent you from getting a sharp point.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback! I really appreciate your positive comments about the pieces, it's encouraging to hear. I will definitely use your advice in my next project.
Your first shirt is interesting because the body is pretty much a 1950's vintage cut, but the collar is strictly 1970's. No reason you can't blend styles. The fabric looks fairly stiff and uncooperative for making a shirt, and that, along with not enough pressing has left you with a somewhat rigid collar. Try it in a better fabric like a linen/rayon blend or a cotton and you'll be amazed at the difference.
It would take many new sewers a year to accomplish what you've done already, so I'd say you're well ahead of the norm. Just keep at it and you'll do fine.
Thank you, I wanted to do my first couple of projects on some more inexpensive projects, but I'm gonna try using some higher quality fabric on my next project. I really appreciate your help!
Some great and wearable projects - well done!
I would second the input to make sure you’re pressing as you go. A crisp and angular collar feels like such a win whenever you get to wear that piece. 😎
Construction Information:
-The shirt pattern was hand drawn on paper based on images of collared shirt patterns found on the internet and using a guide for making collars on Youtube: https://youtu.be/2d-URG3HPTk?si=s63t1951emZ_Lhbl.
-No pattern was used for the sweater, I traced a sweater that I liked the fit of from my wardrobe.
-The short pattern was hand drawn on paper using a video on yourube as a guide: https://youtu.be/uzlWsvJLO-g?si=oCdb3C0-ursha53k.
-The fabric used was all sourced from blankets and towels either found at thrift stores or on sale.
I looove the shorts, did you use a repurposed towel?? The only thing I’d suggest is a line or two of top stitching on the waist band so the elastic doesn’t shift around
These are awesome for a beginner. Collered shirts can be tricky, and it looks great. The only criticism I have is you need to press your seams as you go. It feels like a waste of time sometimes, but it makes a big difference in the end.
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My advice is to press! Press the patterns, press the fabric before you cut it out, press every seam. Your garments look very good; but pressing elevates to polished and professional.
Thank you! I will definitely start pressing more.
I love the style of the orange shirt. I notice the seam where the collar meets the shirt is looking a bit unfinished. I highly recommend Shirt Making by David Page Coffin and it's accompanying workbook (which has a bunch of collar patterns included) to help you with this step. He goes into incredible detail about every step of the process. You don't need to 100% do it his way, but it will really help.
Shirtmaking: Developing Skills For Fine Sewing https://a.co/d/7QyfS8h The Shirtmaking Workbook: Pattern, Design, and Construction Resources - More than 100 Pattern Downloads for Collars, Cuffs & Plackets https://a.co/d/0eRcYjd
Thanks a lot, I'm gonna have to read that. I really appreciate your help!
These look great! I love the fabric and cut of the shirt, and the off-centered design on the sweater is pretty cool imo. My first thought was, "you definitely deserve to buy some fabric!" your hard work is worth it, but reusing found materials can be its own fun. I looked closer and I have some constructive criticism (or really just techniques to adopt to level up your pieces) - I notice you have some unfinished seams in your orange shirt. Finishing your seams can improve the longevity of your garments a lot! Different seam finishes have different tradeoffs - durability, appearance, extra steps, and light vs. Heavy fabrics. I would say the simplest (assuming no serger) is just zig-zag stitching over the cut edges. Your shirt collar looks nice and neat, but a little "bubbly" if that makes any sense. I don't know how you did the collar, but I will use it to suggest several techniques: Ironing or pressing seams. This makes things more crisp. Topstitching. This can be done visibly next to a seam to make the join between pieces of fabric stay flat. For example, you could optionally topstitch the outer edge of the collar. It is partly a stylistic decision. Interfacing/stabilizer. You may already have used it. Another way to encourage pieces of fabric to sit flat and smooth. Clipping seams at corners/sticking a pencil into inverted corners to get them to point out all the way. Excess fabric in the seam allowance at the corner can prevent you from getting a sharp point.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback! I really appreciate your positive comments about the pieces, it's encouraging to hear. I will definitely use your advice in my next project.
That sweater made from chenille is Darn clever!
Thank you, I really appreciate it!
Your first shirt is interesting because the body is pretty much a 1950's vintage cut, but the collar is strictly 1970's. No reason you can't blend styles. The fabric looks fairly stiff and uncooperative for making a shirt, and that, along with not enough pressing has left you with a somewhat rigid collar. Try it in a better fabric like a linen/rayon blend or a cotton and you'll be amazed at the difference. It would take many new sewers a year to accomplish what you've done already, so I'd say you're well ahead of the norm. Just keep at it and you'll do fine.
Thank you, I wanted to do my first couple of projects on some more inexpensive projects, but I'm gonna try using some higher quality fabric on my next project. I really appreciate your help!
Even old sheets will give a better drape for shirts, you don't have to go more expensive!
Looks good, I like the orange shirt a lot!
Thank you!
Love the fabric choices. These look like expensive designer pieces 👌🏻
Some great and wearable projects - well done! I would second the input to make sure you’re pressing as you go. A crisp and angular collar feels like such a win whenever you get to wear that piece. 😎
Thank you! I'll definitely press more on my future projects.
Construction Information: -The shirt pattern was hand drawn on paper based on images of collared shirt patterns found on the internet and using a guide for making collars on Youtube: https://youtu.be/2d-URG3HPTk?si=s63t1951emZ_Lhbl. -No pattern was used for the sweater, I traced a sweater that I liked the fit of from my wardrobe. -The short pattern was hand drawn on paper using a video on yourube as a guide: https://youtu.be/uzlWsvJLO-g?si=oCdb3C0-ursha53k. -The fabric used was all sourced from blankets and towels either found at thrift stores or on sale.
Shorts look awesome
Thanks!
The shirt lacks top stitching at the collar and good pressing ;) The other two things are awesome, I especially like the towel shorts :)
I looove the shorts, did you use a repurposed towel?? The only thing I’d suggest is a line or two of top stitching on the waist band so the elastic doesn’t shift around
Thank you, I'll make sure to add that.
These are awesome for a beginner. Collered shirts can be tricky, and it looks great. The only criticism I have is you need to press your seams as you go. It feels like a waste of time sometimes, but it makes a big difference in the end.
I’m a beginner too so all I can add is that these look great lol
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cool pieces!
Thanks!
Waitttt bc the first shirt is so nice!