Last year I made two bohemian(ish) shirts and have worn them pretty steadily ever since. Which is to say it was about time for me to use the block-printed India cotton fabric I bought in Taos last October.
I decided to try doing French seams by hand. These are the shoulder seams, seen inside and out …
And here’s the front facing of the open neck, once again inside and out …
with a 2 cm appliqué pin for scale (that’s 13/16 of an inch for those of us in the US). Which reminds me, have I mentioned how much I love these tiny pins?
Last for now, I initially French seamed the sides, but realized the shirt wasn’t draping well (a little too tight through the hips, truth be told). So I unpicked the seams and created wedge-shaped inserts for each side, first hemming all the raw edges and then whip stitching the seams together …
On the one hand, I don’t want this project to end as the cloth is a dream to stitch … then again, it should also be a dream to wear in the current Texas heat wave.
Next up: sleeves. And the current debate in my mind is whether to flat fell the armhole or stick with French seaming. Hmmmm …
I'm Going to Texas (version 2.0) 
With a print like this I think the insert makes for a more interesting design. Great work. I love this style of fabric ! I’d love to make a cotton lined dress with it !!
LikeLike
I could have (should have?) gotten a piece of every single one of the block-printed fabrics when we were in Taos
LikeLike
I understand. It is difficult to find ! I’ve seen some on Etsy awhile back.
LikeLike
Thanks for the lead … I’ll let you (and everyone here) know what I find
P.S. I just found a similar comment by you in my spam box … I’m glad WordPress let you through on the second try
LikeLiked by 1 person
LA – and I think my multiple and repeat work is something – not a patch (pun intended) on the many multiples of stitches in this work – amazing. Glad you enjoy it. B
LikeLike
repetitive making may be boring to some, especially those who are trying to get to the end product as quickly as possible … but I revel in it, as I suspect you do as well
LikeLike
Absolutely amazing – so many stitches, but what a lovely result. Each time I see you hand stitch clothes I think to myself I am going to have to try it…one day!
LikeLike
this time around, making tidy seams is making me happy … not a great surprise as I’ve always been as fascinated with the “other side” of things … and more stitches = more time in the process, which is my favorite place to be
LikeLike
I so love seeing hand-stitched clothes, and your stitching is so neat! Love that fabric too ❤️
LikeLike
taking the time with slow stitching has given me an opportunity to appreciate the multiple layers of block printing on the cloth … I wish I could find a local source, even as I think another trip to buy more in Taos, New Mexico wouldn’t be bad at all … and thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t wait to see this on you!! Stay cool!
LikeLike
Well, things definitely cooled off last night … 60 mph wind gusts brought down tree limbs and roof shingles all over the neighborhood … weather weirding continues to intensify
LikeLike
What beautiful even stitching! And french seams…my favorite.
LikeLike
I do love precision stitching, even as I envy those who stitch more freely … I suspect you’d appreciate knowing that Stitch In Dye (one of the Instagram accounts I follow) posted a while back that she is handstitching linen napkins as a wedding gift for her daughter …
LikeLike
Your tidy seams are a thing to behold. Good idea with the gusset. Though I know so little about garment making, something tells me that French seaming the arm holes will create unwelcome bulk?
LikeLiked by 1 person
One thing I neglected to mention of that I’m stitching down all the French seams for exactly the reason you state … the good news is that the fabric is incredibly lightweight, so it doesn’t bulk up, but I’m thinking I’ll try flat felling the seams next times around to compare the end results
LikeLiked by 1 person
simply gorgeous Liz, the french seams the material the pattern the fabric, absolutely scrumptious
I imagine it feels weightless in the heat!
LikeLike
I’ll soon be able to test it out … there’s just one cuff left to stitch and I’ll be done
LikeLike
Looks great! I have fallen in love with hand stitching linen in particular, and in general hand stitching my clothing…so much more control when going slow.
LikeLike
now if I just knew how the heck to control fitting 😉
LikeLike
Love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
French seams are so lovely….
LikeLike
up next, I’ll be trying flat-felled seams on the smock that I’m working on … I’m a little concerned about how I’m going to stitch through the pleated parts tho
LikeLike
Look forward to seeing it completed. And a super sharp needle I guess and a pliers. LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person