DIY Easy Collared Shirt – Review of the Willamette Shirt by Hey June Patterns

DIY Easy Collared Shirt – Review of the Willamette Shirt by Hey June Patterns

Earlier this year I worked on evaluating my wardrobe using the Seamwork Magazine Design Your Wardrobe series. The series of worksheets helped me evaluate what was missing from my wardrobe and the styles of garments that I’d like to sew. (You can learn more about the course here.) One of the things I discovered is that I like boxy tops. After a little research, I found the Willamette Shirt by Hey June patterns. It’s an easy to sew collared shirt with a loose, boxy fit. Just what I was looking for. 

DIY Wrapped Cardigan by Seamly

DIY Wrapped Cardigan by Seamly

Like many sewists, I am afflicted with the pre-travel compulsion that makes me want to sew everything so I can take it all with me. Even if I spend months and months planning and sewing for the trip, I still end up sewing new things in the days (or nights) before a big trip. At the beginning of May, I took a week long trip to Copenhagen and despite starting my planning and sewing in January, I still made three last minute garments. I spent some time thinking about why we do this to ourselves and I have a few theories. One, it’s fun to wear new things and when we go to a new place we often need different kinds of clothing. Two, we want to feel fabulous on vacation and a new handmade garment is a great way to feel so. Last but not least, we’re worried that we are going to miss sewing while we’re gone and need to get in as much sewing time as possible before leaving. What are your reasons for last minute travel sewing? Let me know in the comments.

DIY Striped Turtleneck – Seamwork Neenah Pattern

DIY Striped Turtleneck – Seamwork Neenah Pattern

I spent months planning my wardrobe for my trip to Copenhagen (see my initial moodboard from way back in February here) and of course I was still making things at the last minute. On my last two big trips to Europe and Japan, I found the weather to be too cold for my wardrobe, which is really not surprising considering I live in Los Angeles where it’s basically summer all year round. So for Copenhagen in early May I wanted to be extra prepared. I had made a turtleneck using the Piper Top pattern but the fabric and cut are a little drafty to satisfy my warm layer goals. I wanted something that would be a closer fit with a softer fabric and this top jumped into my sewing queue.