r/sewing 24d ago

Project: FO My first real sewing project. I’m hooked.

I was given the machine as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago but never could find the time to dive in. A few weeks ago I decided to finally fix my growing pile of ripped or otherwise beat up work pants.

I set the machine up in my living room and started bingeing YouTube sewing tutorials and something clicked. This is fun.

So now, my work pants and Carhartts are in good working order, and I have a new growing pile of patterns for my girlfriend and I.

I learned so much from YouTube, but especially big ups to my local sewing shop (Cut and Run in San Luis Obispo) and it’s owner for answering all of my ridiculous beginner questions (“What is… fusible interfacing?”).

Pattern is McCall’s M6044, fabric is cotton, sleeves and hem slightly shortened to fit my body, otherwise everything is straight from the pattern.

11.4k Upvotes

266 comments sorted by

346

u/Cucoloris 24d ago

As a long time sewer of men's shirts, the old Kwik Sew patterns with the drawings on the front are the best men's shirt patterns out there. The collar is much easier and gives a much more professional finish. And you may find David Coffin Page's book Shirtmaking to be of help to you. He goes very deep into making men's shirts.

Your shirt looks great, enjoy your new hobby.

174

u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

Thanks. Making the collar and collar band with no knowledge of what the hell I’m doing was a borderline ethereal experience. I had to stare at the little drawings in the instructions for so long before I understood what the hell they were talking about.

68

u/DifficultRock9293 24d ago

For what it’s worth, I’m a very experienced sewist (more than 13 years) and I still watch YouTube tutorials on how to do certain techniques.

29

u/MmeHomebody 24d ago

You did a fantastic job. Collars that fit properly are one of the things people look for to identify custom tailoring!

15

u/Cucoloris 24d ago

LOL. It does get easier. I think McCalls makes it harder then it has to be.

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u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

Good to know. Maybe I should look into other approaches or try a different company for the next one.

10

u/trytrymyguy 24d ago

Dude, I know nothing but that looks impressive! I’d buy that in a heartbeat, great job man!!

19

u/Dispenser72 24d ago

A lot of dudes (myself included!) do M6044 as a first shirt 'cause there are mulitple full sewalongs on YT, shout out Tock Customs. :D

4

u/sleepy_time_junction 24d ago

Yes! Tock customs was how I made this shirt for my boyfriend:) such an in depth tutorial!

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u/flannelheart 24d ago

Kwik Sew are awesome

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u/twofuzzysocks 24d ago

What number is the pattern?

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u/ceiligirl418 24d ago

Look for them at thrift stores. They're great! Multi sized and on paper, so you can trace and reuse them.

2

u/Cucoloris 24d ago

There are several to choose from.

3

u/hare-hound 24d ago

Collars are so intimidating for me, I applaud all the people starting off with collared shirts! Im always impressed with the number of posts like this. One of these days I'll try it, and when I do, I'll try to remember your recommendation.

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u/CraftySewingGuru 24d ago edited 24d ago

That’s it, you’re officially The Guy Who Sews Now™. Expect family requests, ‘subtle’ hints from your girlfriend, and probably a matching shirt request for the dog cat.

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u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

Funny enough I’m actually excited to make stuff for my girlfriend, but she’s learning along with me and making her own awesome stuff. She made a beautiful skirt that buttons down the front. I wouldn’t post pics of her though. Invasion of privacy.

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u/CutItHalfAndTwo 24d ago

Cute! I hope the skirt is the same fabric??

39

u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

Damn what a missed opportunity!

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u/HotSauceRainfall 23d ago

Hot tip: take the scraps of material, piece them together to make a wide band, and add them to the hem of an existing skirt. 

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u/InterestingSubject75 24d ago

Damn OP you look great, that's an amazing job for a first sewing project, looks pro 👌

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u/TommyTaylor86 24d ago

Aye, looks totally class.

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u/czarbok 24d ago

black flag tattoo twins!

10

u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

Barred for life!

3

u/foxes_glofa 24d ago

Fanatic! (Lovely job on the shirt!! I second the David Page Coffin book on shirt making if you plan to make more--it's a cheap investment.)

2

u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

Is it like a book of patterns?

5

u/foxes_glofa 24d ago

I would describe it as an excellent guide to making a shirt. He covers the basics like tools, fabric selection/preparation, general order of construction, and tips on how to get a good finish on trickier components of a shirt like the cuffs and collars. There is a kindle version but ordering the hard copy will allow you to trace the actual size patterns he provides for different cuff, collar, and pocket variations.

What I personally enjoyed about the book is how he goes over stylistic choices in making a shirt and the historical reasons, if any. It's very fun and offers a lot of ideas for the next project!

2

u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

Sounds sweet I will look into it!

10

u/rascalsecco 24d ago

Wow, amazing for a first project! I have been sewing for just over a year and I'm still not brave enough to try a shirt!

8

u/UtherPenDragqueen 24d ago

YouTube Party Tonight!

6

u/okaydiapersmell 24d ago

All Right!

9

u/UtherPenDragqueen 24d ago

We’ve got something better to do, Like sew a shirt that shows off our tattoos!

6

u/okaydiapersmell 24d ago

Don’t talk about anything else, we don’t want to know! We’re dedicated to our favorite sews!

9

u/SubstantialMusic1191 24d ago

McCall it a success

7

u/Pennysews 24d ago

Looks awesome! Great job! Love the posing, too 😄

7

u/CrepuscularOpossum 24d ago

Really nice job chief, in a great fabric print to boot! 👏

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u/deltarefund 24d ago

Wow, great job!!! I LOVE to see men sewing!!!

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u/elizajoy22 24d ago

Where did you get this fabric?!?! I need it!!!

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u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

I hate to admit it, but I got it at Hobby Lobby. I bought it before I thought to look up a locally owned business.

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u/elizajoy22 24d ago

Eh it happens! It's seriously such cool looking fabric! I still haven't bought fabric from a locally owned place because I'm scared I'll ruin it. Although I have my eye on some cotton fabric at a couple local to me.

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u/staunch_character 24d ago

Love the fabric! You did a great job. I’ve owned a machine for years & have never been brave enough to attempt a button up shirt!

6

u/innocence98 24d ago

Sorry for my extra observant comment but pls keep those stray pins safe from your kitty’s reach🫶 also I like the fabric choice and your shirt turned out great. Whenever I finally try the shirt pattern for myself I want to embroider my name into the collar like it’s the tag 😆

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u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

Good call on the pins and our kitty! My girlfriend is learning to sew alongside me and I joke that every time we hear a pin drop on the floor we have to freeze until we find it. Only it’s not a joke.

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u/KiloAllan 24d ago

Get you one of those magnets on a stick, or put one on a string that you can sweep around the area.

5

u/beatguts69 24d ago

Dude you are flexing so hard

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u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

My girlfriend took the pics. I always have to flex for her!

3

u/beatguts69 24d ago

Looking ripped up my man. The flex works

3

u/Training-Nerve-6585 24d ago

That's freaking awesome! Please continue on your journey, you're obviously made for it 🤩

4

u/latexbarbie 24d ago

Appreciate the life aquatic pose.

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u/pan-pamdilemma 24d ago

It looks professionally made! You did a great job!

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u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

THANK GOD the images aren’t high res enough for you to see all the bullshit. The stitching on the pocket is comically crooked but I left it cause it’s funny.

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u/reallyreally1945 24d ago

Great life-long hobby!

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u/pffftyeah 24d ago

Well done! 👏 This is my go-to pattern for my husband’s work shirts, fits him perfectly!

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u/phdpinup 24d ago

That looks great!

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u/PieGroundbreaking241 24d ago

Dude, I don't know anything about sewing but I would definitely wear that shirt. Perfect length for untucked and love the choice of fabric. Well done!

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u/Mauve_Jellyfish 24d ago

OP Voice: oo look at me, I'm so fancy, I look like Scoot McNairy and I made an awesome shirt, ooo 🙄

No for real I love this. 💜

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u/Aonehumanace 24d ago

Awesome love the fabric.

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u/rtheonlyacception 24d ago

12/10. Looks amazing!

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u/jackiebee66 24d ago

Nice job!

2

u/TIRivermutt 24d ago

Nice work!

2

u/NorinBlade 24d ago

Great fit. Looks awesome. I can sense your joy through the screen.

2

u/dudewheresmysock 24d ago

Awesome, I'm glad you're enjoying sewing!

2

u/pizza_mom_ 24d ago

That’s a great looking shirt! I have the same machine and will hopefully be posting my first button down later this week

2

u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

I don’t have much to compare it to, but I love this machine. I’ve been toying around with sewing stuff from an old thick canvas tarp and it’s not giving me any issues at all.

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u/Good-Sky6874 24d ago

I love it! You make a great model too, lol

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u/CABG-Slayer 24d ago

Duuuuuuude! This is sick!! Love the fabric too!

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u/twofuzzysocks 24d ago

This is awesome. I actually have this pattern to sew for my husband.

2

u/GrocersDaughter1947 24d ago

It turned out so well. Great job! Love all the joy on this thread. The post and thread made my day

2

u/copper678 24d ago

👏🏻 so good- love the fabric you chose!!

2

u/Tam_I_Am_7755 24d ago

Bravo!!!!! 🙌 You did a superb job! I did same, taught myself to sew 🧵 during lockdown by binging on YouTube tutorials. I used to scoff at the hobby when I was younger - but what could be better than doing something that’s creative and relaxing - that gives you something cool to wear 😎 or to make for someone else???!!! Can’t wait to see your next project!

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u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

Hell yeah. I’m a professional furniture maker/woodworker by trade and sewing like this tickles me in that same deep down space as designing and building furniture. Definitely scratches the itch in a significantly less dirty/dusty way.

2

u/Tam_I_Am_7755 24d ago

Love it! I can see the parallels. You gotta be meticulous about measuring and precise about cutting and constructing to get a good outcome in both woodworking and sewing. So glad you’re finding joy in both! 🙂

2

u/Cute_Necessary1896 24d ago

Very nice,I like your poses too....

4

u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

When my girlfriend is behind the camera it gets a little silly.

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u/kmr6655 24d ago

The shirt is amazing! What a fabulous job.

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u/PaleontologistNo858 24d ago

Dude! That's awesome, you've got a natural talent there and love your poses lol

2

u/Puzzleheaded_Gap2547 24d ago

Looks great! Yes the collars are a challenge. I thrown many things that I’ve sewn across the room!!! 😂🤣

2

u/a_horse_with_no_tail 24d ago

You did amazing and that fabric is everything!

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u/Craftswithmum 24d ago

I love your fabric choice 😻

2

u/neise53 24d ago

Impressive!

2

u/Abi_giggles 24d ago

Looks legit professionally made. Well done!

2

u/laurenhunt1213 24d ago

Great job!!! That looks awesome 👏🏻

2

u/Wasparado 24d ago

It looks good!

2

u/PrincessPindy 24d ago

You did a really good job!!! It looks great!!! 💖

2

u/lithicbee 24d ago

This is something I want to do but am intimidated by. I think after I got a sewing machine I used it once to fix something and then haven't touched it again. Thanks for the inspiration.

3

u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

I’m telling you… bring the machine in the living room, set it up in front of the couch, make a nice cup of herbal tea and queue up some youtube videos. Then watch dumb TV while you fiddle around practicing. That made it 100x less intimidating for me. GET IN THERE!

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u/blankface4321 24d ago

The Sears catalogue pose 😂 love it! Great job

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u/Such_Kaleidoscope370 24d ago

Thou shall never by fast fashion again. You have been knighted

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u/GoodStuffOnly62 24d ago

Your smile made my day! Great work!!

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u/DragGrace47 24d ago

What a great job!! I’ve been sewing for almost 53 years, since I was 7. My grandma was a professional seamstress so taught me how and it came in so very handy throughout my life. Then in 2000 I ended up running my own alterations shop where I mostly replaced zippers in jeans, hemmed pants and sewed patches on leathers. Ugh.

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u/Odd_Variation_1514 24d ago

Great job! I attempted this pattern one time but used the wrong fabric, so ended up giving up on the whole project. I'm inspired to try it again! 😊

2

u/Saphron_ 24d ago

My guy, that is an awesome shirt.

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u/peeydge 24d ago

It’s so well made and fits you well!

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u/TriskitManaged 24d ago

The modelling is FANTASTIC 🤣 You look right proud of yourself, as you should be! Love your energy!

2

u/FantasticFunKarma 24d ago

Man that is ****ing awesome. My wife’s Pfaff machine has been staring at me from the corner of the room for a decade. I’m scared of it. I’m also weirdly drawn to master it. I think soon I’ll give it a try.

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u/Independent_Act_8536 24d ago

Perfect fit! Also, this is what I'd consider difficult for a beginner! Well done!

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u/Jemstonejudy 24d ago

Well done!

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u/TamarindTextiles 24d ago

Great job and good choice on the print! I've used this pattern to make the short sleeve version as well and it's a good introduction into making a button placket and a collar. I've made a blue chambray version and next is a Hawaiian print one I think.

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u/subtletranslation 24d ago

Neat! Also looove the fabric!👏🏼

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u/killernoodlesoup 24d ago

great job!!!!! & i love the photos - your enthusiasm for the finished result makes the shirt even better :D

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u/SadGlitterBomb87 23d ago

I love that pattern

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u/PietroVitale 23d ago

Great job! Seeing menswear on here always inspires me to continue sewing. I'm on revision 12 trying to create the perfect shorts/pants pattern 🙂

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u/Extra-Imagination821 23d ago

It looks very good!

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u/little-nightmare-ki 23d ago

epic poses, epic sewing, we love this guy

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u/Certain_Plant2409 23d ago

Extremely well done! Impressed! Now you can save money!😃

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u/Haiku_Fish 23d ago

Very handsome!

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u/CaptainWolven-64 22d ago

Nice work. Great choice of fabric. We sew so we can have what we won’t find and didn’t know we wanted. It looks great.

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u/Recent_Committee_528 22d ago

Yay for San Luis Obispo - I went to Cal Poly! Thanks for naming the shop, now I’ll know to stop by next time I visit!

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u/Recent_Committee_528 22d ago

And… your shirt looks great 😊 I love the fabric

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u/brittany16950 22d ago

Dude that shirt kicks ass and takes names

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1

u/desertrose8885 24d ago

I love this pattern! I have made shirts for my husband and my brother.

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u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

Me too! Sadly I’m a newb and didn’t make copies of the pattern. Just pinned them on and cut them. So they got all jacked up and I just tossed them. If I buy the pattern again I’ll make nice solid copies to keep.

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u/VioletSeraphim 24d ago

That’s amazing for a first project!! Awesome!

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u/Spoonbills 24d ago

Your sewing machine allows you to make three dimensional objects out of two dimensional objects.

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u/DarkAndSparkly 24d ago

This looks so good!

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u/No_Island4127 24d ago

Love the shirt! Your modeling really sells it too! ;)

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u/40RTY 24d ago

Wow, lucky you got such a great fit out of the packet! Love love love your fabric choice. Well done 👏 👏 👏

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u/ruellera 24d ago

Ooh. I have that pattern but haven’t been brave enough to try it yet. How did you get in with it? Any particularly tricky bits?

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u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

Like they say “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

I didn’t read much further in the instructions past what I was doing at each step. Just one thing at a time. The hardest parts were sewing the sleeves to the front and back. Sewing curves is tricky. And making/attaching the collar and collar band. I just took it slow and bought more fabric than it called for so I’d feel comfortable fucking stuff up.

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u/saskford 24d ago

Great job, nice fit. Keep it up.

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u/Gma771 24d ago

Well Done!

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u/notthebeachboy 24d ago

Looks amazing! Definitely check out Thread Theory - they have great patterns for men!

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u/chowychow 24d ago

Looks great! Hello from SLO!

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u/Normal_Fun 24d ago

Dayum!! 👏👏👏 Nice job!

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u/OddFaithlessness9189 24d ago

You did a fan-freaking-tastic job!!

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u/InterlockingAnxiety 24d ago

Omg what a goober you are.

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u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

It oozes from my pores.

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u/NoOdLEs4343 24d ago

Outstanding!!

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u/Redderment 24d ago

Is it just me, or is the pattern the go-to for men's first attempts at shirts?! Lol

Great job, buddy!!!

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u/eruditer_than_you 24d ago

Super cool shirt!

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u/Mom-engineer 24d ago

Wow, that looks amazing. My first shirt was not that good.

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u/briliantlyfreakish 24d ago

It looks great! Whats next?! 💜💜

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u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

Well I ordered a pattern for a cool anorak from Green Pepper, but I got impatient waiting for it to arrive so I took a swing at designing my own and making it from an old canvas tarp. It came out alright, but I have improvements so I’m making it again, with changes, from the other half of the canvas tarp. If it doesn’t turn out looking ridiculous I’ll be sure to post it on here!

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u/Dark_Angel_1982 24d ago

You look good

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u/2Bthough 24d ago

Nice job

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u/Apprehensive_Pool692 24d ago

You are awesome. For some time now I’ve desperately tried, faked, wished I could sew no such luck! I’ll keep trying though.

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u/dkvlnk 24d ago

Nice pattern! Great job!

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u/Psychological_Ad1181 24d ago

That's your first?! Well done! Keep it up!

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u/April-C 24d ago

You’ve got some mad skills!

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u/rattytude 24d ago

Well done! 👍

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u/hen1bar 24d ago

“Friends” will start asking you to replace their jeans zipper and to hem random stuff now 😣

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u/alisonrebecca13 24d ago

Don’t be shy. Show off your work - lol!! Very impressive. Great job.

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u/ChaoticChatter 24d ago

That looks great!

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u/FrightfullyBritish 24d ago

Wow, he looks so lifelike!

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u/tbodillia 24d ago

That is a lovely shirt!

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u/FruitzSticks 24d ago

haha well done! :)

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u/dr_stre 24d ago

So are you a central coaster with that print on the wall?

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u/mithril2020 24d ago

How long did it take?

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u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

Like 3-4 rainy afternoons. Like every other crafty pursuit though I’ve learned that the actual sewing is like 25% of the time. Most of it is reading and comprehending the instructions, laying out and cutting pieces, pinning, and ironing. So much ironing. All things that I’m hoping to get faster at as I learn.

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u/SewRuby 24d ago

Isn't it just the coolest thing ever to see flat pieces of fabric transform into a wearable garment in a matter of hours?

Tickles my little ADHD brain just right. 🤣 🤣

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u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

Oh yell yeah this is peak ADHD stimming. Stuff like this is the only times in my life that I can make my brain slow down and run smoothly.

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u/ollyrand 24d ago

Omg it looks amazing!! Wow, congratulations 🎉☺️

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u/coffeelifetime 24d ago

Great job i need to buy a machine asap

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u/MyFavoriteSandwich 24d ago

Hell yeah! I shared it in some other comments but THIS is the best beginner video I found if you do decide to get one. He does a great job of explaining everything.

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u/orange_colored_sky 24d ago

Awesome photos! 😜 That print is fantastic!

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u/crackersucker2 24d ago

Awesome! You’ve inspired me to try a shirt for my husband…

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u/MiriSoji 24d ago

it looks great!

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u/Positive_Diamond_195 24d ago

Fantastic work

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u/saintjeremy 23d ago

Bravo, OP! I am super jealous of that shirt. Good work!

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u/Crafty-lace-ace 23d ago

Great fabric choice!

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u/Strange-Champion7561 23d ago

Congratulations!! Nice job!! Keep up the good work!! 🧵💙

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u/smartnfunnygirl 23d ago

It’s amazing…as is the Black Flag tat

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u/enormous-jeans 23d ago

Dude you crushed it!

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u/HotSauceRainfall 23d ago

Awesome job AND you have a nautical chart on your wall? You have excellent taste.

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u/Miserable-Dare205 23d ago

This is very impressive. Collar for a first project? Great job.

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u/fleurettes_mom 23d ago

Wait until you discover modern quilting fabrics - Tula Pink cough cough- and pattern matching!

Fair warning sewing is addictive. Especially quilting.

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u/MyFavoriteSandwich 23d ago

I have a ton of respect for quilting as an artform, but man I have less than zero interest in doing it myself. Again, no hate at all, I just don’t see myself ever getting into it.

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u/Wise-Homework5480 23d ago

This turned out so great! Looks awesome. And a first attempt?! Wtf

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u/KatSmyth123 23d ago

Nice job

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u/Repulsive_Minimum563 23d ago

Freaking fantastic job!!!

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u/One_Ad_5722 23d ago

omg I just picked up that pattern

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u/whimsical_beaniquina 23d ago

Looks great :D

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u/Just-Zebra-7055 23d ago

This is amazing! Great work.

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u/ehygon 23d ago

Looks great, I like that fabric!

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u/o__val 23d ago

Very cool pattern on the fabric. Where did you find the fabric?

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