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Add Stylish Details to a Shirt

Threads magazine - 175 - Oct./Nov. 2014

I’ve fallen in love with the shirt. I adore the smart look of it, whether it’s soft or crisp or patterned or plain. I’m eager to see fine shaping and creative closures. A shirt is the perfect setting for various stylish details, and you’ll see a collection of them in this article.

I worked with the new Simplicity Threads 1279 pattern to showcase delightful elements you can add to the shirts you sew. From the beginning, plan your finishing features. Carefully select the fabrics you’ll use, with thought to the sewing details you want to add. Consider a contrasting collar and cuffs;  add hidden touches; combine textures; or mix dressy and casual fabrics.

Make decisions about the nature of your topstitching, button possibilities, and even closure options. Then enjoy the compliments every time you wear the shirt.

Master the topstitching

There are many places on a shirt where multiple seams converge, especially around the neckline and cuff. This is where, for example, double layers of collar, yoke, collar band, and placket come together. The seam allowances double the bulk. Various forms of topstitching keep all of these layers behaving as they should.

Edgestitching

Edgestitching is sewn close to the garment seams or edges, often as soon as they are constructed. This way, the stitching terminates beyond a seam intersection. The secret to sewing edgestitching close to the edge is using the right presser foot. Choose an edgestitching foot or blind-hem foot, which contains a vertical blade that glides easily along the edge or seamline. Move the needle position one click to the right or left of center, depending on the position of the edge. Set the stitch length to 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm. Threads contributing editor Louise Cutting uses size 30 or 50, 100-percent cotton…

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Previous: Better Machine-Made Buttonholes Next: Creating a Beautiful Shirt Hem
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Discuss

  1. Raumati | | #1

    Your link to article is showing the html source code.

  2. Evamarie | | #2

    Raumati: Which link are you referring too?

    Thanks,
    Evamarie Gomez
    Threads
    Web Producer

  3. dsantil71 | | #3

    I tried downloading it 3 times. It said there was an error with the file. I have downloaded 2 pdfs this morning with already with no problems. The ext to the file was .pdf but it was only 30kb big. That seemed pretty small to me.
    I'm pretty tech savvy but I will take any help I can get.

  4. whoneedlesthis | | #4

    Kenneth, that is a great article on "surgeons cuffs", (I did know the origin of the word already),and I have a question. How does your method improve on the "extra length and width, mitered hem fold, traditional cuff?
    Just wondered, as shortening men's jacket sleeves is the bane of my existence as a tailoring specialist, trying to get everything lined back up again.
    Thanks for all the great articles in Threads, one more reason my subscription always gets renewed!

  5. User avater
    sewhidbey | | #5

    I really dislike the "We recommend" advertisements, which interrupt the content that I am paying for from Threads.
    Come on people, enough already!

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Fit & Sew Tops

Fit & Sew Tops

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Basic Torso Adjustments
Bust Fitting
Sleeves and Shoulders
Construction Secrets: Collars, Yokes, Cuffs, Vents, Plackets
Make It Your Own