Wednesday, April 3, 2019

A Hooded Plaid Flannel Shirt

This year I made some personal resolutions. Well, not exactly resolutions, but goals. Resolution sounds like a very cut and dry sort of thing, which you must do, or don't do at all. Goals are more flexible, right? Giving you space to develop and grow and something to work towards. Goals are about the journey; a resolution is about the destination.


Anyway, one of my personal goals was to do something for me, apart from the children. I LOVE being with my children but. . . I don't want to say I "need" personal time (sewing is fun but they're still around!) but well, I'm starting to accept that I DO need that. At least, for my mental well being. 

Our task here was cutting out honeysuckle, which is an invasive species that greatly
inhibits the growth of native plants and consequently decreases the habitat of animal and insects.
I am so, so lucky to live in an area of the country where we have one of the best preserved forest areas. For the past few years I have spent a ton of time in the woods and nature preserves and parks that this area has in abundance. I've come to know more about this land and the history behind it and the cultures that called this area home. I am humbled to walk on this same earth. The natural beauty here is unequaled. I have found much healing and much joy seeing this place slip through the cycle of seasons, each one as beautiful as the last. I feel rested, comforted, rejuvenated and strong. I have so enjoyed these little gems of forests here and so, I was thrilled to discover an opportunity for me to give back, in a tiny way. 


The Arc of Appalachia is a local organization that cares for several nature sites, including stewardship of some of the Hopewell and Adena mounds and earthworks. They have many volunteer opportunities and I was delighted to be able to spend some time recently doing land stewardship training. It is exactly what I need to do - oh, yes, so much so! Being able to go out into the woods and care for the earth in a very physical way is healing to the land as well as spiritually nourishing to me. While it is possible and likely I will take at least a few of my children with me in the future (I know my son Malachi would love helping out!) I greatly enjoyed my one-on-one time with the land as well as interacting with the others in my group.  


Anyway, that is why I made this shirt. 😂 I have a long grey sweater that I bought when I was pregnant with Rose that I still wear almost all the time in colder months. However, it is not suitable for the woods as the branches catch on it and I've had to repair more than a few pulls.  


I got this heavy blue plaid flannel early this year or late last year at Wal Mart. It was heavy and thick and a lovely color so I got it, not knowing exactly what I would make from it. Then I purchased the Lisel & Co classic shirt pattern and decided my blue flannel would be shirt. I didn't get around to it for a while then I signed up for a guided hike and kind of planned to make my shirt before the hike. The hike ended up being cancelled due to the weather so, the shirt still didn't get made!

Finally, the day before land stewardship training I pulled out my pattern and my fabric and decided to see if I could get it made in a day. Thanks to my sewing machine and my serger I did! 


I cut the size according to my measurements but was a little dismayed to see how large the shirt was when I got it done enough to try on for a mid-project fitting. There was just a bit too much ease for my liking! I decided to modify it a little to make it into a hooded overshirt or jacket and I am really glad I did this. It fits nicely over my clothes and is comfortable and sturdy to work in. 

I omitted the collar on the shirt and instead added a hood made from a double layer of grey ribbing. I used the hood pattern from the Scroop Otari hoodie for this. I also shortened the shirt (it was nearly to my knees!) and hemmed it without a shaped hem. I thought about adding a band to the bottom but decided not to; again, I am glad that I chose this. I like it exactly how it is!


I didn't feel like doing a lot of buttonholes so I used some snaps I've had forever and applied those last. I did, however, use buttons/buttonholes on the sleeve cuffs.



I really loved the instructions in this pattern. They were super clear and made the construction very neat and clean and quick. I had never done a mid sleeve placket before so I enjoyed trying out that method on these sleeves. Otherwise, the construction was really similar to the 1860's mens shirts that I have made in the past with a double layer back yoke, set in sleeves and curved side seams for a nice fit. 

Yes, it's wrinkly since I took photos of it after wearing it!
One other awesome thing about this pattern is that it comes in different cup sizes. It was so, so nice to make a shirt that does not strain across the bust while fitting everywhere else, or fitting the bust and being too large everywhere else (although, yes, the entire shirt is just a bit big! I'm going down two sizes for my next one). The cup size is achieved through different shirt fronts which you can print from the layer option in adobe reader, and a dart on each side of the bust creates the nice shaping, which is then covered up (mostly) by the pockets. 

All in all, it is a great pattern! I love my shirt and look forward to making some lighter weight versions for summer! But even more so, I look forward to wearing my blue shirt a lot more when going out to work in the woods. 

Much love,
Sarah

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