Hi all! In this new series of posts, I will be making shirts-pretty shirts.

I purchased some blue striped and white oxford cotton from Gail K Fabrics in Atlanta, Ga.  Both of the fabrics, especially the white, have a beautiful hand.  I expect them to feel like butter against my skin when complete.

In order to make sure they are pretty and perfect, I started out with muslin fabric. And… I also found a cotton wool flannel at Walmart for about $3.50 a yard, so now, I am making the flannel shirt for practice too.

I began with an old pattern-Butterick 5766 that I had in my stash.

Based on a shirt from this pattern that I made years ago, I knew that the fit was a little snug, and for my new shirts, I want a looser boyfriend fit, so I modified the muslin.  I made the bodice wider and longer.  I also modified the sleeves to tailor them to have one seam, plackets, and a button cuff.  To jazz it up a little bit, I also purchased some contrasting fabric from Hobby Lobby to add some little surprises.

Based on the construction of my final muslin, this is the Pretty Shirt Plan of Action that I followed and how it worked with my flannel:

1. Sew the sleeves – Here is how my sleeves look – unattached to the shirt

   

2. Sew the collar

   

1. Sew the bodice
2. Sew the collar to the bodice
3. Sew the pockets, and buttons on the bodice
4. Attach the sleeves to the bodice-Voila.

Finally, here is the result of my Pretty Shirt Plan:Looks good for a first try, but there are some tweaks that need to be done to get it pretty perfect.

Final verdict:

• Sleeves to wide and short
• Sleeve plackets too large
• Shoulders to tight
• Buttons to big
• Flannel is very cozy.  This is a good weekend, read a book shirt.  Its a little tight in the shoulders, but I will wear it this winter.

Next… Prettier (and Better Fitting) Shirts!  Happy Sewing!