Home Needles and Threads An Elegant shirt for the teenager

An Elegant shirt for the teenager

by Elsa
L'Élégant shirt, La Casa Cactus

I wondered when was the last time I sewed something for my son… This is the very last time…!!! Well, he grew ‘a bit’ and became an adult (almost!).

When I saw this poplin, I knew right away he would ask for it.

He’s training to become an engineer and would love to work on aircrafts’ engines.

The only pattern that came to my mind was the Elegant shirt by Les BG, a French brand founded by contestants of the French equivalent of the Great British Sewing Bee.

The Elegant shirt pattern

Drafted by Les BG, this shirt has interesting features, namely two widths: slim-fit (with 2 fisheye darts at the back)  or loose (with CB pleat). We chose the slim fit. The pattern costs 18 euros and is sold exclusively as a paper pattern.

Elégant shirt, La Casa Cactus

I’m a PDF-type of girl so tracing the pattern made me not so happy. Then I noticed that seam allowances were not included. Double “not happy face”!

Since I knew neither the designers nor the fit my son needed, I opted to sew a muslin.

Measurements and alterations

My son is tall and slim, about 185 cm for 60 kgs. I cut a size S with an added 1 cm seam allowance.

The muslin was too short on both bodice and sleeves. It was a bit tight just above the elbow when bent. And it was too loose at the waist.

Alterations I made:

  • + 4 cm to the bodice
  • +3 cm to the sleeves
  • lengthening the sleeves
  • deepening the darts for a slimmer look

He wanted the “President” collar included in the add-on. This add-on is not expensive at all ( 4 euros) and contains new collar and cuff pieces.

The Elegant

Here he is in his nice new Elegant shirt.

Elégant shirt, La Casa Cactus

This fabric has a nice shirting weight and is easy to interface and sew.

Since I had lenghtened the bodice, I added extra buttons. Spacing them evenly is not tricky with this tool.

By lengthening the sleeve, I also widened the problematic narrow zone.

I found the sleeve slit to be rather long so I added one small button right in the middle, as you can find on RTW shirts.

Elégant shirt, La Casa Cactus

En route for a 2nd shirt

The fabric is already ready for his 2nd Elegant shirt.

This time, I’ll add 1.5 cm seam allowances. I want to sew flat-felled seams for a better look on the inside. I was displeased by having to add seam allowances, but actually it lets you choose what type of finishing you want on the inside.

My sleeve placket is not well-sewn. I added too much of a seam allowance so next time, I’ll only add 0.5 cm. Still plenty to learn!

Sleeves will be shortened 1 cm per his request.

So, what do you think of this cutie in his Elegant shirt? I’m totally partial since I made them both…!

Patterns: L’Elegant and  its add-on

Fabric: popeline Rose and Hubble

Notions: Vilene G700

#patronslesBG #minervamakers #chemiselelegant

#minervabrandambassador

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