Lace Shirt, DAY 1 + New Pattern!

Today I got started on my lace shirt.

The reason you see the left front piece draped over my bare skin is because I have decided, on this attempt at least, not to use the lace as an overlay. (I have plenty of lace so I can try other versions.)

Fans of the purple paisley fabric I bought last week will be relieved to know that I'm not using it in this lace shirt project at all, but will probably save it for my 100% lace-free final shirt for my menswear sewing class.

The fabrics I'm using (in some combination -- I'm still figuring out what goes where) on this shirt are these:

What changed my mind?

I found photos of this Comme des Garcons shirt online, and it doesn't look racy in the least, even though skin (and black bra) show through the front. In fact, it's positively demure. Since I don't wear a bra, a patch pocket can always cover up a peek-a-boo nipple.

I cut my lace for my two fronts this afternoon. I added a covered button placket on the left side.

I placed the pattern so the I can use the scalloped edge of the lace for the hem (trimming away those extra threads).

I hope to finish this up soon since it's going to be a short-sleeve shirt, which means no cuffs or sleeve plackets.

In other news, I'm 99% sure I'll be taking a draping class at FIT starting at the end of May and running through mid-July. The summer semester is short so this class meets two evenings a week. There are no menswear sewing classes being offered over the summer and the only other thing I was considering was flat patternmaking, but draping sounds more fun, don't you think?

Speaking of flat patterns, I received a new one in the mail today: overalls!

Butterick 3571, which dates from the mid-Seventies, is so authentic that it even includes an embroidered radish decoration. I hope to whip these up sometime soon.

And that's it. A big lacy day awaits me tomorrow so wish me luck.

Have a great day, everybody!