StyleArc: Jenny Shirt (Jenny Shirt)  - Type:Tops  | | Viewed 401 times
| 4 more reviews | Review rated Helpful by 1 people Very Helpful by 15 people | | Reviewed by: | clothingengineer | 
 | About clothingengineer | | CT USA | | Member since: 5/7/10 | | Reviews written: 136 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | Favored by: 54 people | | patterns reviewed: 127 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 12/29/12 11:14 PM | | Pattern Size: | Plus-Sized Regular | | Project Photo: |  | | Pattern Photo: | 
StyleArc Pattern Info | | Pattern Rating: | Great Wardrobe Builder | | | | Fabric: | Flannel [See other projects in this fabric] | | Related Links | Click on  to add a link |
| I threw this together as a weekend work shirt-slash-muslin, so please overlook my terrible mismatching plaids!
Pattern Description: Tailored fitting shirt – great in crisp white. Over jeans or wear to office.
The back waist is 26.25" for size 8.
Pattern Sizing:6-24. I made an 8.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes. See where the front shirt curve hits the fashion illustration model? That's exactly where my hem is too. If you don't plan on tucking you will probably need to shorten it a few inches.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Didn't use them
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Likes: The tailored fit, the classic style, and how the cut skims without being too tight. The long length means it doesn't come untucked easily, and the shaped sides reduce bulk at the hips. It is a great pattern you can make over and over again. I think it is a great investment pattern! The drafting is superior to anything you'll find from The Big 4.
Dislikes: None with style. With fit I felt like the sleeves ran narrow (barely 1" of ease when measured against the size chart) and the shoulders ran slightly narrow. Since I often leave my shirts unbuttoned for the first few buttons it wasn't a deal breaker, but I thought it was something I should mention.
Fabric Used: Cotton flannel (Fabric Mart)
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Since I was using plaid, I cut the cuffs, back yoke, collar stand, and sleeve plackets on the bias. I also used my go-to TNT sleeve packet pattern piece from David Page Coffin's Shirtmaking book instead of the StyleArc one. I trimmed 1/8" off the outside edges of one of the collar stand and one of the collar pieces to account for turn of cloth. Since I rarely button the top button of my shirts I didn't actually cut open that buttonhole. And since I ran out of bobbin thread I didn't bother doing the collar stand buttonhole, which is something I never button anyway.
Fitting:
- Lengthened sleeves 1"
- Lengthened waist 2.5". My back waist length is 16.5" and the back waist length on this pattern was only 14"!
- 1/4" broad back adjustment. I would do an additional 1/4" next time.
- Widened sleeves about 2" at bicep/elbow, tapering to nothing at wrist. My bicep is 11.75" and I like at least 2" ease for sleeves, so I made the final sleeve bicep measurement 13.75".
- Raised armholes 1/2", and adjusted sleeve to match (StyleArc armholes seem to run low on me). I then raised the sleevecap 3/8" so it wouldn't be too flat
- Added 1 1/8" to each sideseam at the hip. It ended up being a little bit too much, but since there's a good chance this flannel might shrink again in the next washing I decided to leave the extra ease.
- Next time I would raise the bust dart 1/2", as it seems a bit low on me.
- Serged the hem with contrasting thread instead of doing a narrow hem. I'm mostly going to tuck this into pants, so why bother going through all that trouble?
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I would sew it again. I only need a few minor tweaks to make it a TNT pattern. I would definitely do more careful sewing on subsequent versions than I did on this shirt!
Conclusion: This is a great classic blouse pattern if you're looking for a body-skimming blouse and like back yokes and vertical darts. |
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11 Comments
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Fabulous shirt, love the red plaid. Very slimming on you, especially when you tuck it in!
12/29/12 11:25 PM
Yes, love the plaid, too. This pattern has loads of potential.
12/30/12 0:43 AM
This looks fantastic! The fit/cut is so flattering on you! Having made this pattern myself I agree you don't get this sort of cut from a Big 4 pattern. You definitely need to make this pattern again. Nice job!
12/30/12 1:53 AM
Great shirt - must make my pattern up this winter.
12/30/12 4:28 AM
Agree with you this is a great pattern. Made it twice and worn them with pleasure. The white one so much that it needs replacement soon. I like it in your plaid as well.
12/30/12 4:37 AM
I've talked myself out of ordering this pattern for months. Judging by your results, I am a fool. Your shirt/muslin looks great and BTW, how often can you buy a shirt with correctly matched plaids? You've made a very RTW-looking shirt!
12/30/12 7:45 AM
great fit on you, I do the same with buttonholes on shirts, Good review clothingengineer Very informative.
12/30/12 9:39 AM
Great shirt! I have a couple of the StyleArc patterns for knits, I think I may need to order this one as well. Thanks for the review.
12/30/12 10:15 AM
What a great shirt. This pattern offers so many fitting options with the princess seams. Your alterations have resulted in a great fit.
12/30/12 10:54 AM
Excellent - looks wonderful on you.
12/30/12 11:07 AM
What a useful and thorough review. Thank you! I have also talked myself out of this pattern but based on your recommendation I will add it to my next SA order.
12/30/12 1:10 PM