Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Leopard Print Archer

I completed an Archer by Grainline Studios and I love the way it turned out.  The fabric is a cotton voile from Hancock Fabrics and granted, its a little busy, but I'm pleased with the overall result.  I plan on wearing it with rolled up sleeves all summer.
I want to gush a little about this pattern (thanks Hanni for gushing about one previously!) I am so impressed with the way this garment came together.  I can't even imagine how a person designs and comes up with all the pieces for a shirt like this...it was very well thought out making it pretty straightforward to sew.  And if there is any doubt about any part of the directions there are enormously helpful tutorials on the Grainline website.  I highly recommend the short video on constructing the collar.  So if you are at all afraid of this pattern the Grainline website is there to hold your hand.

I am entering this top in the Project Sewn pool.  The theme for this week is "The Leading Lady Challenge" and try as I might I had a hard time thinking of a leading lady so I'm calling this "inspired" by old Hollywood since it has a leopard print on it.
One more little navel-gazing thought...the whole time I was sewing this garment I was thinking about all those people out there that have sewn all my husbands button up shirts.  I know the wages given are not fair since the garments are so inexpensively priced.  There is so much that can be said about the topic of fast and cheap fashion and there are no easy solutions to it but I hope that by just being aware and trying to make thoughtful choices maybe we can alleviate someone else's load to bear in life.  I try not to sit on too high of a horse about this subject because I feel very privileged to be able to make some of my clothes but I do try to be thoughtful.  Maybe I should call this my "up on my soapbox Archer."  Ok that was indeedy a soap box and kinda serious and this is sewing so moving on...

If you want to make this shirt I say go for it, its very do-able and you will feel all kinds of proud when you complete it!!


Also linking up to Keep Calm and Craft On.

6 comments:

  1. I like this shirt! blue and leopard - a perfect match! I just made an Archer last week (my first!) but mine was light grey with tiny butterflies on (looks like polka dots). This patterns is great and a little addictive - I'm already considering which fabric to use for the next one..

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    1. I love your Archer too and you're right it is addictive, I already have two more planned and can't wait to make them.

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  2. So pretty... Love the fabric.

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    1. Thank you Judy, I've been very happy with the fabric choice, very light and airy.

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  3. Nice Archer! I don't think it's too busy at all! I haven't made this pattern but I made a shirt for my husband once upon a time...and had many of those same thoughts as well about the work that goes into one shirt and the low wages received for that work. You're right...there are no easy solutions...

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    1. Thanks Margo, it helps to hear another opinion and its nice to know another sewist out there has had those same thoughts about wages earned while sewing a button-up!

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