Birthday Shirt for the Boyfriend

The Boyfriend's birthday was at the end of April so I decided as one of his birthday gifts, I would make him a shirt.  I had the fabric picked out since last summer or fall, and was going to make the shirt for Christmas, but ran out of time.  Oh well, he now has a winter shirt just in time for summer.  :-P

I used the Colette Patterns Negroni Shirt again.  Here is the last shirt I made with this pattern.  This time I made the long sleeve version in a beautiful brushed cotton woven plaid.  Another swapmeet purchase for $1.50/yd.  Can you believe that?  If you could feel the fabric through your monitor, I think you would be impressed.

I followed the directions exactly this time, I even felled the sleeves and side seams.  The instructions for doing so are quite good.  Much better than I expected!  I only have two complaints with the pattern.  The first is that the area on the shoulder where the facing joins up with the collar is quite thick and bulky.  I trimmed and graded my SAs, but there is still some bulk.  Second, I think the sleeves are drafted long.  Or the Boyfriend has Tyrannosaurus Rex arms, but I'm fairly certain they are a normal length.  I really should have measured the sleeves beforehand, but I forgot and I also wanted to keep the shirt a surprise.  Every time I worked on the shirt, I meticulously cleaned up so he would not see what I was making.  Because the sleeves are a couple inches too long, he prefers to wear the sleeves rolled.  It looks cute that way, so I don't mind. :)

The cuffs, outer yoke, and pocket are cut on the bias.  I matched up the fronts and sides pretty well, but the sides could be better.  I'm totally pissed that I cut the back piece slightly off grain.  I hate that you can tell because it is a plaid shirt.

Overall, I'm proud of the shirt and the Boyfriend says he loves it.  He's worn it more than I wear my own self-made clothes.

Thanks to my newest Follower, Danette!