Mens Negroni Shirt
10:43 AM
My first sewing project for men!
(or I guess my man)
A long sleeve button up shirt for my husband.
There is such a shortage of sewing ideas/ patterns for men. Boys too, but in the sewing pattern catalogs, there's usually less than five options for men, and most of the time a few are unisex fleece vests or something. So it was exciting for me to finally sew something for my husband.
A few months ago I was shocked to find I actually won a giveaway from Colette Patterns on their blog.
I won the Negroni pattern for a modern cut men's shirt. I was thrilled.
Their patterns come in a printed booklet format with an envelope pocket on the back cover to hold the pattern pieces. It's the fanciest pattern I've ever used.
The steps were clear and simple to follow.
I've been saving this charcoal yarn dyed shirting fabric for a while, I bought it last fall on clearance for $2/yd and finally made his shirt.
The biggest new technique for me was sewing on the button placket for the wrists of the shirt, then adding the cuffs.
Their website also has additional pocket patterns to add variety to the pattern.
I had a lot of fun making this shirt for my husband, and the finished garment means a lot more to me than other things I've sewn for my kids. Maybe because I never really sew for him, it meant a lot and it was a lot more challenging project than baby leggings or something. I think when you make things for people you love, the created objects can kind of symbolize your love for them. I guess that's how I feel about this shirt. I's not perfect, but I don't ever see it going to goodwill or anything. I don't know if you have a hard time getting rid of clothing you make for your family, but it's the same with things for my kids.
Quite often in comments or conversations people will ask if my husband just loves me for making so much, or I think especially that I tackle building furniture/ power tools.
I always laugh and think "sort of".
Rhett really supports my creative habits.
He's not one who really cares much or gets excited about my latest scheme, like helping me go over fabric swatches or giving an opinion on which color buttons I should use or anything.
He's not the slightest interested in all the crap I make most of the time.
But he does appreciate a lot of the DIY projects that improve our home like painting the kitchen cabinets or save us money like reupholstering the chairs or building all our patio furniture.
He lets me know he appreciates a lot of my projects.
But there's a downside to having me as a wife...well many, but the ones that are project related are really annoying I'm sure
Like his tool box.
Since my dive into the furniture making, I've overtaken his tools and use them 90% of the time, and I'm not as organized as he is. So the occasion he does need a tool, most of the time I didn't put it back where it "should" be. Most of the time I can tell him where it is, but you can imagine how annoying it would be for a chick to mess with your tools if you're a man.
There's also the aspect of living life amid 10+ projects in progress.
Like the fact neither car could park in our garage this summer when I was building all the patio furniture...for a few months.
Or the fact his winter coat/ parka has white oil based primer smeared on the front that won't come out from when I was priming a dresser in the garage in the freezing weather last winter and wasn't that careful obviously.
Or here's a picture of him eating dinner literally between Jack's legs last month.
I would have moved Jack, but Rhett just squeezed his plate in between the chaos to eat and said it was fine.
So there's aspects of having a wife that insists on making as much as she can that must be annoying at times, but Rhett just lets me go to town building/ crafting/ sewing and never complains or really even seems irritated.
I'm so grateful for his support in letting me attempt to make/ sew whatever I think I want to try.
He's patient with the messes that are created in the process and appreciates the results.
I never really have recognized his sacrifices and support to allow me to create whatever I want, which I'm so grateful for.
He just lets me fly.
{this is my favorite photo of Rhett--taken shortly after he became a dad}
6 comments
Love, love, LOVE this shirt! I purchased a shirt this past summer for my husband that looks very similar to this and would love to try to make more. My favorite part of this post is your recognition of your husband. None of us are perfect but most tend to see all the bad points of a spouse (after a few years & children) instead of the good. You sound to be a very fortunate woman to have him and he is obviously very fortunate to have you. My post on Lemonade and Lollypops today is about public recognition of each other & our children and I'm sure your husband is beaming inside to have you speak so highly of him on your blog! I've said it before and I will say it again- you are a very talented person- both with your hands and your heart!
ReplyDeleteThat shirt looks fantastic. And what a sweet post about your husband!
ReplyDeleteThe shirt turned out great! It's great to have a supportive husband, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWhen I first got back into sewing, I made my husband some flannel pyjamas. The construction was terrible, not finished off properly, but they are his first choice winter PJs and referred to as his Pyjamas Made With Love. I haven't sewn anything for him since - I really should do something about that!
That last picture is beautiful, priceless. Very nice of you to sew for the hubs.
ReplyDeleteOh my I read this and thought I sooo get you. My husband is very supportive of me and my crafting aspirations. He does value the money saved too, but living with the creative type isn't always as fabulous as you might think. There are so many sacrifices my husband makes to allow me to do what I love.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you have a wonderful husband who takes the good with the bad and loves you just the same :)
lovely blog you have here! I love getting inspired from all of your projects!
ReplyDeleteBtw, you may want to try acetone to take off the paint on the jacket :)
Esther
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