Gingham Archer with Extras

Yes, it is a another gingham Archer put it has several extras and these extras are more Gingham!!






This time I used a one inch gingham from Style Maker Fabrics (just 7/8 yard left) and it is a gorgeous fabric.  I didn't purchase enough to make the bias touches I like to do on the Grainline Archer Shirt  and with that in mind, I had to make some design changes.

I just used this Pretty in Pink Style Maker Fabrics gingham on my last Archer and I had enough left to use it for an accent.  So time for a plan and work as I go!  The first part was the front placket, which the was just a bit off from the pattern when left and right front meet.  It was bothering my eye, so I added a bit of pink bias


Here is the pieces I usually like to cut on bias

1.  front band

2. back yoke

3. cuffs

And not any of those were able to cut on bias.

There much better, that little bit of pink bias helped distract from that pattern which is not even with the white-green-white-green pattern, the front band only had a portion of the green and white.

I didn't want to use the bias on the other side, so I just used pink gingham for the front button band

Now in this above photo you can see how the pattern matches from sleeve to body and I owe this tip all to a tutorial on Grainline's blog.  This is the best tutorial and I love using it, so easy but so effective.  

Next up is the back yoke, it is fabulous on the bias, like this plaid flannel Archer I made last winter

Well a couple of things happened on the straight of grain yoke.  I forgot about the back pleat and didn't take that into account for matching the yoke to the back.  It worked out fine as the pattern was opposite and I really liked how it looked in the end.  I also pleated the back the opposite direction and added a decorative stitch.  The final touch was a pink gingham bias.

So that detail worked out and I really am pleased  how it turned out.  I am going to remember to change the pleat and add the decorative stitch.

Here is the side seams and thanks again to the Grainline tutorial

I did have to use the pink gingham for the back yoke, the under collar and the inside collar band

Last up is the cuffs and they matched up and I didn't even try!  Gotta love that.

Once again some pink gingham at the edge of the inside cuff just for a fun look and pink to cover the seam allowance.

So there it is the tale of a shirt I so love and how a shortage of fabric got me to this wonderful shirt.  Sometimes a challenge is good for the brain and the creative process. 

Next up another shirt but surprise.....not an Archer!  Happy sewing my friends.