Grainline Studio: Archer Shirt & Moss Skirt

I had very good intentions about entering The Monthly Stitch's Indie Sewing Pattern Month weekly competitions. Alas, it's the last weekly challenge and this is my only entry for the month. I recently bought Jen's Archer Shirt PDF pattern and was quick to put it together and get started on it. I decided it would look great paired with a Red Moss Mini and I should enter in it the Fangirl Competition: and outfit made from two or more garments from one indie sewing pattern company. I'm definitely a fangirl of Grainline Studio!

For my first version of the Archer shirt I made version A: a simple button down shirt. I cut a size 6 out of lovely cotton I've had in the stash for an age. It's lightweight, but not sheer, with a white and dark navy polkadot and flower pattern.

The shirt itself is beautifully drafted and came together very well. I began sewing the shirt by following the pattern instructions only. The instructions are lengthy but I found a few minor details missing. I've never sewn a button down shirt before so I wanted to take it slow and get all the details right. I went to the sewalong for more details. Again, some minor details were missing but in most cases the photos helped me figure out the necessary steps.

Other than the tedious button holes I found the shirt came together muck quicker than expected (around 1 days sewing). I think the final product look pretty professional, except for where the pattern mismatches. I didn't make any effort to pattern match this first version, but it looks no worse than many store bought shirts.

The shirt is quite boxy and maybe ever so slightly too roomy in the back. The shirt will be worn tucked in mostly thought so the excess fabric wont be noticeable. For future versions I might play with narrowing the shoulder a bit and lengthening the arm, but other than that I'm pretty happy with the fit. The shirt looks fab tucked into my newest Moss Skirt. I've made the Moss Skirt 5 times before and my denim moss remains one of the most worn items in my wardrobe (handmade or store bought). I can now sew up a Moss in an easy afternoon.

For this version, I was very inspired my Andrea's moss and archer outfit. I was desperate to find a fire engine red twill, heavy drill or wool. I searched and searched and found very little red at any of my usual fabirc haunts. In the end I settled for this striking tweed wool at Rathdown Remnants. Bright red and white wool are woven together so that it looks orange.

I cut a size 10 (my usual) and made no adjustment to the pattern other than to increase the length of the skirt by 2". Even with the added length this is a mini skirt for me.  For the facings and pockets I used the left over linen rayon blend from my Butchered Orange Iris Shorts. Talk about a perfect match! I overlocked all the insides with white thread.

Interestingly the fit of this moss is a little off. I find it ever so slightly too tight and hate that you can see the pockets outlined in the front. In hindsight, I wish I had of sewn the side seams 1/4" rather than 1/2"and also lined skirt. Without a doubt I will sew more Archers Shirts and Moss Skirts. I also look forward to trying more Grainline Studio patterns (especially the soon to be released shirt dress!). 

Above is a photo of how I actually wore the skirt and shirt out shopping with Tim. I felt a little self conscious in my very bright skirt at first, but I'm now fully in love with it!