Sunday, April 1, 2012

Pirate Shirts - the next big thing?

It's that time again - theater sewing.  Our local group is doing the Tempest in April, and I was asked to take on a project or two. 

Here's the first, Simplicity 3758, modeled by a man who has apparently overcome (at least temporarily) his Seinfeld-induced pirate shirt trauma.

Full patternreview here.

Pattern Description: Misses, mens and teens poet/pirate shirt with choice of lace up neck, front ruffles, ruffled cuffs, etc. I made view B, with the plain neck and no ruffles.


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? It did, other than the color (the view that I made, view B, is the one shown in black on the envelope, and is almost invisible. Of course).


Were the instructions easy to follow? Very easy. I've made a lot of "standard" men's shirts, but because of the neckline and enormous amounts of gathering on this, I referred back to the instructions a few times to make sure I didn't get lost.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I didn't pick it out - it was given to me by the costumer for my local theater company, but I can't object to her choice. It's a great pattern, it will last them for many shows if no one destroys it, and it didn't take long at all to work up.

Fabric Used: White cotton, also provided by the costumer. I'd have liked something with a touch more drape, but there's so much fabric here it drapes whether it wants to or not.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None. She said that View B (without ruffles) was what they needed, so that's what I made. Since the actor is playing 2 different parts, she has a detachable ruffle and elasticated ruffle cuffs to swap off and on depending on which character he plays. 
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I'd definitely recommend it if you need a poet/pirate or other pouffy shirt. I doubt there's a reason for one in my house - when I showed it to DH, he muttered something about a traumatic Seinfeld episode and left the room. He's posing here under great duress and the promise of a special dinner.

Conclusion: I think doing all the gathering took longer than constructing the actual shirt. A pretty impressive result for not a lot of work.

6 comments:

Little Hunting Creek said...

Great shirt-but it would cost me more than dinner to get Mr Hunting Creek to wear one!

Vicki said...

Ah yes, the Seinfield episode - that was what came to mind even before I started reading. He does look kinda cute in it!

Lisette M said...

I think he should be on stage wearing that shirt, he looks great in it!

SEWN said...

Mario should get more than a nice dinner. I'm just sayin'.

The Slapdash Sewist said...

LOL, when I first saw the photo I was wondering if Mario was adopting a whole new look. Although, for what it's worth, he's working it. What a good sport to model for you! I hope the dinner was good.

patsijean said...

Mario is looking quite handsome in this shirt. They were popular for a reason. I made my husband a similar shirt from Folkwear patterns several years ago. The fabric was a teal linen. Very nice.