Finished Project: Plaidtastic Blue Archer

Hey would you look at that, I finally took pictures of my Archer!  I've only been wearing it near-constantly for the last 3 weeks.

Yeah, I'm pretty happy with it.  There's a couple things I'd change on the next one (and there will be at least one more, possibly a half-dozen because these are fantastic work shirts!  And every day shirts.

I forgot how easy button-ups are to wear.


Details
Pattern: Grainline Studio's Archer Button-Up Shirt
Fabric: 100% cotton plaid flannel
Size: Size 12 from armhole upward, graded to size 14 at waist and size 16 at hips
Alterations: Other than size grading above, I did the following:

• Narrowed the shoulders by 3/4 inch
• Shortened bodice by 2.5 inches
• Take in side seams by 1/2 inch
• Reduced length of butt bustle by cutting along size 0 hem

I didn't do an FBA, just because this is a loose top and the toile I did (and didn't take a pic of, sorry) showed that I didn't need it.  I might do a small FBA next time though, just for a bit of extra room.

This fabric, while lovely, was skewed to an annoying degree.  I couldn't straighten it no matter what I did.  So I mostly gave up on matching the plaid, except for across the front.  I think I did a pretty good job, considering, but the bias button band helps a lot!

There are two major alterations that I'll make next time.

I shortened the bodice by 2.5 inches.  This was about 1 inch too much.  The butt bustle should've been a bit lower.

This one is probably the biggest one.  View A has a pleat below the yoke to give some extra fabric across the shoulders.  View B doesn't.  Definitely should've added that one in, because holy man is it ever annoying not having it.  REACHING FORWARD IS HARD.

Although I'm probably going to make more view A's in the future, because there's only so many butt bustles a person needs in the 21st century.  In this part of it, anyways.

So overall, I'm in love with this shirt.  Don't be fooled by the 'meh' face in some of these photos, it was entirely due to my horrible camera and not the top.  The top is easy to wear, both at home and at work, and with a few tweaks, will be even better next time.

But I will warn you, there's not a lot of shaping to this shirt.  The only shaping is at the sides, and it's a bit poofy at the tummy.  I'm happy with this right now, because I've been enjoying the camp desserts a bit too much and the camp gym facilities a bit too little.  Plus I do like to de-emphasize my body when at camp.

Wouldn't be too hard to add a couple darts in the front though...

ETA: I forgot to mention something that's come up in the comments.  I found the instructions for the Archer a little sparce, especially for a button-up top with a full collar.  I eventually gave up on them and followed the Archer Sew Along instead.  Maybe if you have experiences with this type of garment, the instructions would be fine, but for anyone new or newish to them, use the sew along.

Itchin' for a Skirt

It's weird weather here in southern Yukon - hovering around zero and the snow disappears almost as soon as it lands.  Odd for this part of the world at this time of the year.

It's making me want to wear warm skirts - or skirts with leggings (I blame Steph and her new leggings pattern).

I've also been wanting to try out her Hummingbird Orange skirt pattern, which needs less than a metre of fabric.  Incidentially, I've had this gorgeous burgundy corduroy kicking around for years, because there's only slightly less than a metre of it.

Coincidence?  I call Fate.

Now if only I knew what I did with the pattern pieces...

*~*~*~*~*

I promised a post on my Archer button-up last week.  It is finished!  I just loath my camera with all the passion in the universe, and not inspired to take pictures with it at all.  I'll suck it up this week and do it.  Just be prepared for a slightly frustrated photoshoot.  Here's a teaser, just to proove that it's done and that I actually wear it!

Because I would almost live in this thing (with one very important adjustment), if I could get away with it.

GOOD NEWS! (both of the working and sewing variety)

Aha so yeah, I disappeared for a few weeks there.  I have a good reason though: I GOT RECALLED BACK TO THE MINE!!  \o/ \o/ \o/

S.S. Klondike Sternwheeler

And then a friend came to visit me as soon as I got home, so I've been a little busy visiting with an old friend and appreciating the Yukon.  Which was time well spent in my books!  It's funny how you only manage to visit some places when other's come to visit, eh? 

Anywho, I'm actually planning a sewing project!  I have a couple knitting projects to show off soon, but those need some finishing and I can't be bothered right now.  ONWARD TO NEW PROJECTS!

Right before leaving for camp, I got seduced by Grainline Studio's Archer pattern, thanks to Lladybird's version.  Yes, I know she wasn't happy with her version, but that wasn't because of the pattern itself so much as her execution. 

See, it's getting cold here in Yukon, and I need some easy warm tops that I can wear easily at work. As I'm severly lacking in long sleeve button-ups, this seemed the ticket, especially the pretty bustle version! 

Since I'm still wanting to support local, I scurried off to our crappy fabric shop to find something decent.  I found this...admittedly lovely blue plaid flannel, which should be perfect.  I even found some nice metal buttons that add a touch of a professional look (I hope).  Anymore decent finds, and I'll have to finally remove that 'crappy' prefix. 

Of course, now I just need to finish taping all of these go-damn sheets together.  ARRRGGGHH.


Have any of you sewn up this top?  Would you make that back bustle part straight or on the bias?