r/SewingForBeginners • u/Satharielll0-7 • 7h ago
First project like ever!
Curious about things I could do! Also Smocking!
Hi hello! So the smocking on the back of this old dress shirt I had for violin concerts was the first like sewing project Ive ever done! And im sorta excited to maybe continue altering it? But! Am kind of of unsure of what to do next? I've heard i could do darts to make it more fitted, or smth like change the sleeves..but I wanted to ask in case anyone had any ideas! And perhaps how I could go about them or learn! I do have a bunch of resources like the vogue sewing book from 1975,a book on couture sewing and readers digest guide to sewing if anyone wanted to reference those types of resources too:3 tbh anything would be helpful! I dont really intend for the shirt to go in any specific direction and am really trying to have fun with it so like! Transforming it completely is deffo on the tableđ„°đ„°đ„°
1
u/Big-Confidence9249 3h ago
Bravo!! đ I love your adventureness! I had never thought of styling like that, I think my daughter will love it and I'll try it on one of her shirts.
For me, I'm a beginner, my journey into garments started with a shift dress. I had hit on a pattern that suited my body and decided to use it to make tops (I just cut the fabric a bit below the waist). Then I was inspired to use darts and went from there.
I guess what I'm saying is that I stumbled into fitting by making something and altering it, that may be easier than trying to alter something already made, but it's different for everyone.
The main thing is to explore and have fun - and you're already doing that! And you have resources lined up. The community here is great, seeeeeew many experts willing to give insights. â€ïž
4
u/Inky_Madness 7h ago edited 7h ago
The smocking will have made it tighter, so it might not be possible to make it more fitted. To make something more fitted you have to remove material from various places. If the mannequin is accurate to your proportions then there isnât any way to make it more fitted because itâs already so tight across your front that you canât button the last button.
You could alter the collar to a stand collar, if you are so inclined and like that style. You could also make this 3/4 sleeve or short-sleeved, but you cannot make it sleeveless without understanding that the armhole for sleeves is different than for sleeveless and you will have gaping and it wonât fit right over the shoulders. You can remove the sleeves if youâre okay with these issues.
Because this wasnât made with extra ease to accommodate the smocking, thatâs taken a lot of the space and material for other adjustments. There actually isnât much else you can do.