Today, I’m diving into my recent experience making a t-shirt. Yes, it was my first shirt ever and only my fourth garment, so there’s plenty to unpack. From sizing dilemmas to instruction frustrations, here’s my candid take on the whole process.

Sizing Adventures

The first challenge? Deciding on the right size. I went with an 8 for the bust and bumped up to a 10 for the hips. While the fit turned out pretty cool, I might tweak the sleeve length next time. Speaking of which, why aren’t sleeve lengths mentioned in the size chart? It would’ve saved me some guesswork!

The Instruction Conundrum

Next up, the instructions. While they seemed clear, there were some curveballs along the way. A big shoutout to my sewing vlog where I share the ups and downs of this project in detail. One of the most frustrating parts? The conflicting instructions on interfacing. It’s disappointing to find out there’s been a known mistake since 2013, with no corrections made.

Have you ever worked tirelessly to create a garment that you thought you'd love, only to finish it and find out it does not look remotely like you thought it would on your body?

The Fabric Choice Matters

Another lesson learned: fabric selection is crucial, especially when both sides look identical. It led to some confusion during the sew-along, bouncing back and forth between instructions to determine the right and wrong sides.

The Button Revelation

On a brighter note, I stumbled upon a fantastic tutorial on button attachment that transformed my button game! The method was simple yet effective, resulting in a clean finish both inside and out.

Final Thoughts

Despite the challenges, I’m proud of my shirt. It’s a boyfriend-style design, and I’m already planning my next one with shorter sleeves. To all the beginners out there, don’t be afraid to take on the challenge of sewing a shirt. It’s a learning curve, but the end result is so worth it.

So, what’s next on my sewing journey? More shirts, of course! Stay tuned and happy sewing, everyone!

Archer shirt by Grainline studio
Archer shirt by Grainline studio
Archer shirt by Grainline studio
Archer shirt by Grainline studio
Archer shirt by Grainline studio

Have you ever worked tirelessly to create a garment that you thought you'd love, only to finish it and find out it does not look remotely like you thought it would on your body?

Archer shirt by Grainline studio
Archer shirt by Grainline studio
Archer shirt by Grainline studio
Archer shirt by Grainline studio
Archer shirt by Grainline studio
Archer shirt by Grainline studio