I finally managed to finish this shirt!

I decided to make shirt D of New Look pattern 6304, a slightly cropped, short-sleeved shirt, using pastel purple chiffon and white polycotton for a contrasting white collar and front band, inspired by a shirt from French Connection.

I’m pretty pleased with how it’s turned out. Chiffon is such a pretty fabric but so tricky! I worked really hard to make sure it moved as little as possible while I was cutting out the pattern, to try and keep it as accurate as possible. I therefore used my rotary cutter and cutting board, which definitely helped.

Actually sewing the chiffon was all about the French seams and topstitching, which are both techniques I haven’t really done before. I also attempted and failed at a rolled hem, so the hems aren’t as neat as I’d like them to be.

I used polycotton, a much more stable and easy to work with fabric, for the collar and front band. I think the two fabrics work well together, and the polycotton holds the shape of the collar and the buttonholes much better than I think chiffon would have.

It has been a challenge!

The best part though has been learning how to use the one-step buttonhole foot on my machine. I’ve always avoided buttons because I didn’t know how to use it, but not any more! I watched a Singer tutorial on YouTube which I’d really recommend.

As for the pattern itself – it was great! Really clear instructions, which I so needed, and I love the shirt I’ve produced. I would make it again too, although not views B or C with the frillyness at the bottom (not my style), and definitely not in chiffon!