A Sewing Journey :: Negroni

This post is a long time coming.  Like, almost exactly a year.  I started this sewing journey to make a Negroni shirt last October but while preparing the pdf pattern, I “trimmed” part of my left index finger off.  You can read more if you’re the type for gory details and my learnings from the experience.

 

Negroni by Colette Patterns sewn by A Jennuine Life

After my finger healed – which it did with no outward sign, just some lingering sensitivity and a light feeling of having glue or something on that spot – I found myself always with another project or deadline, so the project sat.  And sat.

 

Vacation Sewing Station

Until we went on our annual end of summer vacation where we rent a cottage on a beach in Michigan.  Hubby Dave agreed that I could bring my sewing machine and gear if I finished up his shirt.  Fair deal.  The cottage we rented ended up being perfect with space on the island for my large cutting mat and the owners had a nice iron and board.

 

Negroni by Colette Patterns sewn by A Jennuine Life

Hooray!  I was able to finish, and a couple of other little things as well.  This is a “wearable muslin” as I had gotten some really nice Cloud 9 organic cotton from Sew Fine Fabric which was intended to be the final product.  The muslin worked well so when time permits, I’ll make that one up using the adjustments I made to the pattern.

 

Negroni 1

The adjustments I made were to accommodate my extra-tall hubby.  At 6’5″, Dave finds it difficult to find shirts that are long enough without a lot of extra width.  It would seem there is only big and tall, not big or tall.  I added about 1.5″ to the overall length and to the sleeves, and that amount was perfect for him.

 

Negroni 4

The Negroni is a casual shirt having no collar stand, and I omitted the loop at the collar.  There’s also no placket; instead there is a facing along the shirt front.  These more casual touches helped keep the difficulty level low, but it’s still a project taking several days to accomplish.  I think the pattern is great, and the layout and illustrations are superb, with tips and tricks sprinkled in right where you might need them most.

 

Negroni 2

I added an extra buttonhole on the top of one of the pockets to use as a media port, or for a pen.  Dave requested the orange accent thread on the buttons, and I think it’s a nice touch.  I’m dying that I wasn’t able to match the plaid across the shirt front.  I was cautious while cutting, but I should have cut the two pieces separately even though I tried to be sure the fabric was squared up.

Negroni Collage

I’ll leave you with some fun shots of Dave.  He says he was taking modeling pointers from Arden, but I think this is all him.  What a giant (literally) goofball!

Outfit Details:
Pattern – Negroni by Colette Patterns
Fabric – plaid shirting from Jo-Ann Fabrics

 

 

 

 

 

9 Responses to A Sewing Journey :: Negroni

  1. Audrey September 29, 2014 at 6:27 PM #

    Hmmmmm, I’ll think I’ll have to try this one for my 14 year old son who is 6’5”!

  2. Caroline September 29, 2014 at 6:46 PM #

    Amazing Shirt, love the photo shoot! lol

  3. christina September 29, 2014 at 8:17 PM #

    it looks great! and i would have to say your hubby has great taste. i love the orange thread on the buttons so much!

  4. April September 29, 2014 at 11:10 PM #

    So good!! It looks wonderful and I didn’t even notice the front not matching up perfectly until you mentioned it. So glad you were (finally) able to finish it!

  5. Renee //nearestthepin September 30, 2014 at 9:11 AM #

    Fantastic Jenn! I’m with April – I didn’t notice any pattern mismatch until you mentioned it!

  6. Jodi September 30, 2014 at 10:03 AM #

    It looks so professional, and I love the orange thread on the buttonholes! Most RTW companies don’t match patterns so don’t sweat it too hard.

    • Jenn - A Jennuine Life September 30, 2014 at 11:53 PM #

      Thanks Jodi! I’m sure I’ll be scrutinizing rtw shirts now! Funny how doing a specific project makes you that much more sensitive to aspects from it.

  7. Maegen Foster October 1, 2014 at 11:38 PM #

    Fun! The orange on the buttons is awesome, and that extra buttonhole is such a great idea. I love sewing for boys, but I haven’t yet been brave enough to sew for my husband. I’ll have to keep this pattern in mind.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Sew The Show :: 6 Degrees of Separation - A Jennuine Life - December 8, 2015

    […] was my first Archer, and my second button down shirt, the first being a Colette Negroni for my husband Dave.  The pattern is fabulous!  In addition to the clear instructions and […]

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