My Old Gardening Shirt

It used to be a smart long sleeved shirt blouse, and I wore it until the collar and cuffs frayed. Then I cut off the collar and sleeves and used it as a gardening shirt.

The other day I noticed that it had worn so thin that it might disintegrate next time I wore it, which could be embarrassing.

What I particularly like about the shirt is that none of the seams gave out - they lasted longer than the actual fabric.  The side seams are French seams...

... and the yoke is double layered, and held firm with a double row of stitching.

This is why it has lasted so long and was so comfortable to wear.  It was made in India of 100% cotton, using straight stitch machines.  In the1970s, 80s and early 90s I always used to look for cotton blouses and shirts made in India because I knew that they would last.  This shirt is roughly the same age as my son, who is 25.

For the past few weeks I have been thinking of making another pattern for a sleeveless summer shirt. I intended doing some serious pattern drafting and making a toile in muslin.  Then I realised that I had been wearing the ideal toile - this old shirt, which I know is a comfortable fit. This afternoon I have cut it up to make another home made pattern. 

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Making a Dress Pattern from an Old Dress

This little dress cost £2.50 from a charity shop, bought specially so I could cut it up.

It was in good enough condition to be used as a play dress because it wasn't actually falling apart. It had nice flat felled seams at the front of the shoulders,

and a bound neckline with a bit of staining - probably pasta sauce, a great favourite with toddlers.

About three weeks ago I got busy with the scissors and cut it up to make a pattern.

Here is the video showing the whole process.

And here is the finished dress made with the home-made pattern...

... complete with pretty trim around the sleeves...

... and neckline (note no pasta sauce yet)...

... and finally, the most exciting part of all, the first buttonholes I have made with the buttonholer. 

This has been a really enjoyable project from start to finish.  I used the 1949 Singer 15K hand machine for all the machine stitching, except for the buttonholes, where I used the Singer 201K treadle.

Now I can't wait to make the next little dress.

Linking up with Sarah's blog Confessions of a Fabric Addict for Whoop Whoop Friday
and Leanne's blog Devoted Quilter for TGIFF

and Barbara's blog Cat Patches for the March NewFO - meanwhile the February NewFO free motion landscape is proceeding at a far more leisurely pace...