This is the Cashmerette Vernon shirt! Would you believe this shirt was a muslin? It was! Before diving into the Swanton Blouse, I decided to make the Vernon to get a feel for Cashmerette sizing since prior to that I had never made a Cashmerette pattern so I wasn’t sure how their block would fit me. I chose to make the Vernon (which was gifted to me to do a mashup with Swanton) because it’s a very classic style and would give me a good indication of how Cashmerette patterns would fit.
As it turned out, Cashmerette patterns fit me very well with little to no adjustments. For this one, I made a size 4 C/D for the shoulders/bust, graded to 6 at the waist, graded to 8 at the hips which is what I measure at. Although it fits great, if I make it again, I will do a straight size 8 because I’d like it just a little less fitted at the armscyes. This is just personal preference because I don’t like feeling stuff in my armpits.
As I said, even though I’d do it slightly differently next time, I’ve been wearing the heck out of this since I made it last winter. I can’t remember the last time I had a flannel shirt and they are amazing! So comfortable and warm. Why do I not have more of these in my life?? Fortunately, I’m now equipped to fix that 🙂
The fabric is some cotton flannel that I picked up at one of Cañada College Fashion Department‘s donation days. At that particular donation day, I mostly picked up some amazing books which are incredible inspiration, but I did get a few choice pieces of fabric including another cut of flannel.
Plaid can be challenging emotionally for me to work with because I’m stubborn about matching plaids. I can’t not do it, no matter how much extra time it takes me. Case in point: my swing coat.
So, one thing I love to do with any sort of plaid or gingham is toss in a little bias. It actually makes it easier since you don’t have to match plaids in those places saving some stress, but it also mixes it up and makes the garment visually more interesting. I love how the bias plaid looks on the yoke, placket, and cuffs.
Speaking of the placket, I had originally made it with the hidden placket, but it turned out to be really chunky for the flannel and I decided I actually liked the classic look of buttons for flannel better. So I cut it off and sewed it normally.
On the cuffs, I also deviated a little. The pattern calls for buttons and buttonholes, but I opted to do snaps. With the flannel, the cuff was going to be pretty thick to try to do an automatic buttonhole one. Plus, I often find buttonholes on my cuffs hard to do on my own, but snaps? Snaps are pretty easy. I’m really pleased with how they turned out and I’ll definitely need to remember snaps for future projects.
So yeah, not much more to say here. I didn’t make any adjustments on this one. Instructions were good. Will likely make again. Great, basic buttondown pattern but with some sleeve variations in case you do want to mix it up. And of course, if you get the Swanton, then you’ve got even more options.
And gratuitous pupper photo since they like to sneak into my photoshoots. She was quite disappointed that there was not, in fact, a treat in my hand.
