Je me suis donc rabattue sur la chemise, et mĂȘme si les plis plus sont sympa, j’ai fait classique.
Pour la taille, je suis entre 12 et 14, et un brin au dessus du bonnet B, j’ai donc fait un 12 bonnet C (oui Casey a inclut bonnets B, C et D directement dans le patron !! Avec toutes les informations pour choisir exactement sa taille.)
It’s been a few months now that I wanted to test a pattern.
To test is to work with a pattern designer before it’s released. You have make it following all the steps as written, to give feedback to the designer, to redo , discuss with other testers …
I know that there are several « techniques » of tests, several ways to proceed. In general as the a thank you we receive the pattern for free and often the pattern designer share the creations of their « testers », it is a good way to launch the pattern on different body shapes, with different fabrics, and it’s also probably a way for testers to get published in addition.
I sometimes applied for patterns that I liked moderately but of which I really liked the designes, and sometimes for a pattern who was a favorite. But until December, I had never been taken, and in fact, so much the better !!
I have been following Casey on Instagram for a few months now, and I love her way of sharing the process of her creations, her attempts to transform a coat pattern in a down jacket! The different jeans patterns she tried, and finally her patterns!
She started talking about the shirt pattern, and I love the shirts. So I tried the adventure of testing. I admit that a lost email almost made me miss the adventure but Casey was adorable and I joined the group on Slack, a project platform. We shared and feedback on the cutting / assembling of the pattern, the details on the pattern pieces, the muslin, the acuity of the assembly points of the different parts, the feasibility of the instructions and finally the « fit », how this pattern was on us.
By the way Gillian made an article on testing patterns after a test poll on this subject on instagram, it’s quite interesting.
So my negative point? The pressure the timing gave me. Despite everything, we had more than two weeks and the allow time was good, but I put myself under pressure like crazy and on this period before the holidays, I was already at the max, from this personal point of view it was not very enjoyable.
There were beginners, advanced sewers and pros and everyone was able to give their point of view. Casey was aware and managed very well the concerns encountered to propose a final really well made pattern !
Also, this is why I am not in the article of the testers because my final make arrived too late; -) But here it is !!
The pattern
So first, the pattern : it is a button up shirt with bust darts with possibility of dress, you’ll find all the codes of the shirt, buttonhole, collar with collar stand, button placket at the wrist and pleat at the back.
Casey propose as the B view a pleated model. There is probably a particular name for this fashion detail but I don’t know it. Do not hesitate if you have the information!
Casey is fully committed on this project and has produced a large number of prototypes, she started to offer a sew along in pictures on her blog and already has lots of hack ideas. She has already made the option with a back yoke, one of the code of the shirt!
Initially I had the idea of ââmaking a forest green velvet dress. (and one of the testers did it very well!) I made the muslin in a slightly rigid fabric and there I was disillusioned. Like midi skirts, this style is absolutely not for me…
So I choose the shirt lenght, and even if the B view is really nice, I made a classic one.
For the size, I’m between 12 and 14, and a bit above the B cup, so I made a 12 cup C (yes Casey has included B, C and D cups directly in the pattern !! With all the information for you to choose your size.)
I was a little tight on the muslin but as I used a double gauze, I stayed on this size, especially since Casey added ease at the bust exactly where it was needed.
My make
My rmake was made with the final pattern.
For the fabric, it is a 3 meters piece of Les Coupons de Saint Pierre coupon of a sad gray color. It stayed a while waiting for me to sew him but the color was so sad! So one day I dyed it on a whim by mixing two colors, in « I have nothing to lose » mode !! And I love it !
I am delighted by my achievement. The shoulders and the darts fall perfectly, the collar construction is really well. And I was not disappointed by the double gauze which did not double in volume đ Everything is very well explained in the booklet, perfect for someone who has never tried shirts. Everything falls perfectly. I just specify that it is in English!
I added a detail to the collar, an ethnic brown / beige cotton for a little extra.
In my wardrobe
I made pictures with several layers of my wardrobe for different styles (without being revolutionary) and show you how it goes well with my current wardrobe!