Hello Imagine Gnats Readers! I’m so happy to be back on the blog today to share my latest make, this cotton/linen lawn archer button-up shirt.
I’m participating in Me Made May this year and still going strong at the midway point! Like many of you I’m sure, as I reach into my closet each day this month, I’m taking mental notes of the items I’m wearing most, and the garments I wish were there.
Early on, one of the things I was wishing I had, was more casual woven tops. This new short sleeved Archer Button-up was a great solution to that. It is super comfortable but a little more elevated than the knit tops I’m often defaulting to daily.
Button-up shirts can be a bit tedious to make, but I actually have come to love the process of it. The Archer Button-up pattern from Grainline Studio is top notch. I’m very happy with the style and fit this pattern provides. I found the instructions to be quite clear as well.
I made a size 6 with no adjustments (apart from making it short sleeved) for my measurements of bust- 34 “, waist- 28″, hip- 38”.
The pattern is drafted for a long, cuffed sleeve. Since I wanted this to be a summery shirt, I just hacked off the bottom half of the pattern piece and adjusted the sleeve hem to the length that felt and looked right to me, after the sleeve was sewn in.
I love the look of this shirt with short sleeves, and it definitely was a quicker sew without the extra placket and cuff steps!
As with most projects, choosing the right fabric can make or break it. This cotton/linen yarn-dyed lawn from the shop was the perfect lightweight fabric for this lawn archer button-up. This lawn has a beautiful hand and was really easy to work with. It held a press well and was quite stable. I got zero shirt-making headaches using this fabric!
It feels soft and breezy on, ideal for wearing on a warm day. In addition to button-ups, I think this fabric would be really well suited for summer tanks, woven tees, and dresses too!
It looks like the yellow colorway I used has sold out, but the blue and the red are both still available and would make equally awesome shirts!
While my vertical pattern alignment didn’t work out exactly as I wanted from right to left side, I’m happy things matched up well horizontally across the button placket and pockets! While I do aim to improve my sewing skills with each project I make, I have no requirement for perfection.
I’m so happy that a similar sentiment has been ringing through across the sewing community this month as well. Perfection is not required for participation in either Me Made May or this craft in general. Everyone and every effort is to be welcome and celebrated!
In further celebration of Me Made May and our sewing community, Imagine Gnats is offering a 20% discount on all lightweight cotton this week, so it’s time to get some new button downs, tanks, dresses and blouses into your wardrobes! Use the code MMMCOTTON20 for 20% off all single and double gauze, chambray, and shirting in the Imagine Gnats shop!
This INCLUDES our Nani Iro single and double gauze, cotton sateen, AND Atelier Brunette double gauze!!
The coupon code is good from now until May 19.
Also don’t forget that all orders will receive one of our beautiful “celebrate you” coasters as part of our collaboration with La Mercerie and Sew to Speak! Place orders with each shop this month to collect them all!
