On my garment journey, I not only wanted to make myself a lot of clothes, but I wanted to learn how to make things for different body shapes as well (I will never have to do a full bust adjustment on anything for me). By the way, you can see a running tally of things I’m making and see links to past blog posts.
This is the Cindy Taylor Oates New Camp Shirt. I decided to make this for my grandmother’s birthday, which is the week before Thanksgiving. For some reason there is hardly anything on the internet about this sewing pattern, besides listings on ebay and such. I got the idea to make this pattern from talking with Steffani Burton of Country Fabrics and Quilting in Brainerd, Minnesota. I feel like Steffani is super-accomplished in many things, and so we had a conversation about garments. I asked her what she thought was the best-written pattern, and I was surprised when she mentioned this one, but she says that no matter who buys this pattern, it always fits well and always comes out as a success, in additional to being written well. At first I just bought it so I could understand what her idea of a well-written pattern looked like, and then I got the idea to actually make it for my grandmother.
I was really stumped at what kind of fabric to use. I think my grandmother would look out of place wearing a shirt with Tula Pink squirrels on it. So I decided to purchase some Robert Kaufman chambray (I got the color sorbet) from Imagine Gnats. I used Aurifil 50 wt thread for construction, since I had a spool that more or less matched the color of the fabric.
The pattern has 4 different options for the shirts, which you can see in the graphic above. Some options overlap in another shirt (for example, the mid-back band on View A and View B). I chose View C, and I also wanted to add the curved bottom of the shirt, as in View A. I’m sorry I don’t have as many process photos as in my previous garment posts, but I didn’t want my grandmother to feel self-conscious…I think it was enough that I measured and fit a muslin on her.
Her bust measurement fell in size 14, but the hip was a little larger. I decided to take a change and cut the size 14 across the board. When I took the muslin back to her, she liked the fit, so I went with that. From the pattern cover photos, it looks like there is a good deal of ease in the shirt, so I was fine with the 14.
The collar and front facings are interfaced. The pattern recommends using Pellon 905 for the collar, but I didn’t have any on hand, so I used Pellon 911. I thought it was fine.
I like the curved hem a lot, but I think I would have done a neater job if I’d maybe topstitched it first to help ease the curve.
I’ve only done button fronts on a couple of things before, so I felt a little nervous about placing the buttons, but it turned out to be easier than I remembered. My current sewing machine is straight-stitch only, so I pulled out my old machine because it can stitch the buttonholes.
Overall, I think the princess seams would be flattering on any shape. And here’s my grandmother on her birthday wearing her shirt. Even though she made tons of clothing for my mom and aunt when they were growing up, she said this was the first time that anyone had made clothing for her, so I was very excited to give it to her. Thanks again Steffani for the great recommendation!
Your Grandmother is beautiful, and so is your shirt, my favorite color and all, I have gained so much weight from the meds I take to keep me alive longer that I have no clothes that fit any more, I have gone from a size 8 to 3x it 2 month time, I am in misery and sometimes wonder if its worth it.But then I look at my children and grandchildren and let the good Lord know I am not ready to leave yet. you see I just turned 51. so now I want my shirts real long to cover everything. Thank you for sharing. GOD bless.
This is the sweetest post. The whole time I was reading it I was hoping to see your grandmother in her shirt and then there it was. She’s lovely and I’m so glad you made her this shirt!
Precious story and shirt all around. It looks terrific on your grandmother! Nice!!
That was such a perfect gift for you to give your grandmother! And thanks for the information on the pattern.
oh, I love it!! how happy it must have made her 🙂
It looks great on her!!
This is beautiful, flattering cut and color on your Grandmother. I like her super cool jeans too! Not sure I ever saw my own Grandmothers wear jeans when they were still here, so that made me giggle. I like the curved hem too and I think it is laying nicely.
I’m with Holly D, neither of my grandmothers have ever worn jeans to the best of my knowledge so jeans teamed with her new top are making yours look like a pretty cool lady! Beautiful fabric choice too 🙂
Beautifully done, Sara! I love the fabric choice and color.
Nice work! Your grandmother looks beautiful in her new shirt. I like the happy color you chose and it fits her well.
The shirt looks amazing on your grandmother! I really like the style of the shirt. I have been sewing since I was 8 years old,now in my sixties! Sometimes we don’t give ourselves enough praise for the good sewing that we do! Each project that we make helps us to improve our skills. Your projects, no matter what they are, are always well done:)
The shirt looks great and your Grandmother looks beautiful in it. You picked a great color for her! That was a great present for her. Never short change yourself – sometimes the best things in life are when we see the smiles on the faces of those was love and just knowing that we made someone’s day – just look at how proud and happy she is! I think she looks “tickled pink”! (Sorry – just couldn’t help myself! LOL)
Sara,
Do you feel this pattern was easy to understand, with well written instructions? I bought a booklet of hers for making different totes/duffle bags, and there were several errors in just one of the bags! When I called the shop I purchased it from, she had found more errors in some of the other bags. I am a little leery of purchasing this pattern for fear of errors and I’m not skilled enough to know till its too late, fabric cut and ruined.
The shirt looks so nice on your Grandma, great fit and the color is flattering. I bet she was so excited to have you sew for her.
Fantastic shirt Sara! Your grandmother looks lovely! Now to try & find the pattern….
Great job! You might want to consider using a polyester thread for clothing because it holds up better to the stress seams have to take. 🙂
Looks great. What a sweet granddaughter you are!
Aww, how lovely that you were able to make her first garment just for her!
Sara, YAY!!!! I bet Oma LOVES the shirt you made for her :o) The fabric color was the perfect choice. BEST post EVER just to see the smile on her face!
The Robert Kaufman chambray is so soft! So nice for your grandmother with a perfect fit and color, too! Love your blog Sara! Looking forward to more garment posts since I am on the lookout for a tunic pattern to use the pretty voiles I have been collecting!
I have made the Camp Blouse with great results and a perfect fit. I did the one with the 3/4 sleeves and curved cuffs. Can’t wait to make it again.