My new Merino shirt

[John Fenna]

A while back I bought a doublebed sized merino wool blanket for 49p. OK - it was Day-Glo Orange but a couple of sachets of Dylon sorted that issue!
I used it as a blanket for a while but the recent cold spell convinced me I needed a good wool shirt more than a blanket....
The pattern I ghosted from an old workshirt that was due to be ragged, withsome style points from my Swanni and others from my imagination (such as the supereasy acces low slung pocket positions).
The zip was from our local market haberdashery, the buttons from my recycled buttons tin, the canvass yoke lining from something recycled...
Total cost - fabrics, dyes, zips, buttons, threads ... everything - under £10
Your thoughts folk....

 

[bilmo-p5]

I think that's a damn good job.
I can't live with zips in shirts, myself, but whatever suits you - that's one of the best things about it.

 

[robin wood]

That is a very impressive bit of work there. Quite a few hours I would imagine but how great to know you are wearing something you made yourself while we are all dressed head to toe in stuff made in sweatshops in China.

 

[Nagual]

Does it itch at all?

 

[Toddy]

Very well done John

Eminently practical and wearable

cheers,
M

 

[Ogri the trog]

Nice going John - like that a lot!

A word if I may re commissions.....


Can I commission you to buy some wool blankets on my behalf? I've mentioned before about charity shops up here being full of cracked china, old video tapes and nylon based fabrics. The closest we have to woollen blankets are those "woven" from left over knitting wool, hence not ideal as the starters for any clothing projects.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[robin wood]

Anyone think it's a shame we are all into merino from New Zealand sheep when our own hills are covered in woolly maggots and the farmers paid barely more than the cost of shearing?

 

[John Fenna]

Thanks for the kind comments!
Ogri - there are so few decent blankets that I find that I need them all!
It is a constant and frustrating search ...flamin' animal charities use tem for bedding scabby domestic strays!
Nagual - not even the litlest bit
Bilmo - I get on with them fine...as long as they are not beard traps - this one finishes at the neckline!
Robin - yep - lots of hours I have not done this much serious clothing sewing in quite a while and I was a bit rusty and not used to the machine I am using (mainly used for light fabric and most of my sewing is now leather pouches using an older and much stronger domestic machine!) so it was slow and steady!
The poor light of this time of year did not help and I often had daylight, room light and headtorch on all at the same time!
It is amazing what can be achieved with blankets and patience - Topknots stuff beats mine for looks and functionality and others have turned out some impressive garments as well
Toddy - my Btec in Fashion design has paid dividends and I thank all taxpayers who funded my grant

 

[topknot]

The John (The Master) as done it again. Nice one mate, will have to see this one at the moot .

Cheers Topknot

 

[John Fenna]

The John (The Master) as done it again. Nice one mate, will have to see this one at the moot .

Cheers Topknot

It will be far too warm in even a Welsh summer!
I am wearing it at the moment - sleeves rolled up - just over a T-shirt....ysterday I was wearing a lined sweater to do the same kind of work.....

 

[Shewie]

Cracking job John, looks like £10 well spent

 

[silentpaddler]

Love your shirt John, well done. I just got my first merino shirt very recently and I love it; so what is it exactly about merino wool that
makes it so different from other wool?

 

[Robby]

Brilliant job, and I really like the colour. My first thought was about the zip as wel but looking at it again I see that it stops short at the neck. That's one of my pet hates with zips running all the way, Beards just aren't meant to be plucked.:yikes:

 

[fred gordon]

Very nice indeed and I do like the colour. I'm sure the large pockets will be very handy.

 

[John Fenna]

Love your shirt John, well done. I just got my first merino shirt very recently and I love it; so what is it exactly about merino wool that
makes it so different from other wool?

Soft and non-itch!
Cozy as all-get-out!

 

[Barn Owl]

Very nice John and I like that colour.

 

[markheolddu]

Really nice work John puts my efforts to shame. I hope to see it in the flesh soon mate. Nice talking to you to night an inspiration as always.

Mark

 

[Tengu]

I think thats terrific. very neat cut.

I have a few blankets if anyones interested.

 

[John Fenna]

Really nice work John puts my efforts to shame. I hope to see it in the flesh soon mate. Nice talking to you to night an inspiration as always.

Mark

Different concept and usage!
Yours looks great for what you plan for it ....mine is just a shirt!
Oh - and as soon as we finished on the phone a had a Roast Pork dinner fit for the gods!

See you under a tree soon!

 

[rancid badger]

I've been looking at new sewing machines you know.

I actually got an old, 70's vintage "Jones" machine from the tip last year, fully working order but I think I killed it, sewing polyprop webbing straps
It definitely doesn't work like it did anyway

Decided to wait till I get the boat situation sorted though.

cracking piece of work John

atb

Steve