Shifty Business is accomplished

[mala_14]

Got this done just under the wire. I think I sewed the very last stitch at 11:58pm so right before the deadline. :)

The Challenge: Under It All

Fabric: Cotton-Linen Blend

Pattern: Diagram from Costume Close-up

Year: c. 1795

Notions: Cotton thread

How historically accurate is it? Almost completely. Cotton and linen were both used in the period for shifts. The pattern is all rectangular construction. I sewed the seams by machine but all the finishing was done by hand.

Hours to complete: Not sure. A couple hours every few days for about two weeks.

First worn: Last night to see the finished product on with my stays

Total cost: About $25, and that includes all the extra fabric I have left over (that will hopefully become a habit shirt soon)

This project turned out beautifully. I am so pleased! I tried rolled hemming for the first time and the tiny little hem on the neckline is so nice. The only nit-picky issues I have with it are that the back neckline is a little bit low (goes just below the back of my stays) and the shoulders tend to slip off a bit. Next time I will cut the bottom of the gores wider so that the point of the shoulder isn't so far out.

Hand felled seams at underarm gusset:

Tiny rolled hem at neckline:


Hand hemmed and inside of the felled seams: