I haven’t made a shirt in a while. I’ve been focusing on making masks. Then there is a lack of fabric. A fabric has to be pretty awesome to become a Spo-shirt. I forgot where I found this whimsical one. I have only one Halloween Spo-shirt; it’s quite old and by now everyone has seen it several times. So I made me another.
Halloween II (as I call this one) came off without any major errors. It turned out well although I made it a tad too long. Some of my shirts have shrunk (or I have grown) that they are not long enough.
I took this photo before I had sewn on any buttons as I realized I had none – no black ones anyway. I had to go to Joanne’s in the middle of the day to get some. Last week when I walked in the front door I was greeted by Halloween items. Yesterday I walked in and saw- you guessed it – Christmas trimmings. Oh the pain. The only defense I will give them is craft stores usually put out seasonal things early to give folks time to buy and build. Halloween things come out in August, so I should not complain.
The temperature is still warm enough to wear short-sleeve shirt. This year All Hallow’s Eve is on a Sunday, which is not a work day. I will wear the shirt to work a few times between now and the thirty-first. The APA Secret Police will disapprove but I’m now too old or too wise to care tuppence what others think. If the new patients want to write a negative (fashion) review on line, so be it.
49 comments
October 18, 2021 at 3:24 AM
DwightW.
Your talents are many, and it will have Black buttons. Life is good. I hope you get many wears out of it . Your shirts remind me of vintage Hawaiian shirts and the fact you can construct them yourself impresses me no small amount. It is pretty cool, I canβt imagine why anyone should wish to upset the unbridled Joy ,with which you hold this holiday . APA , ptooey! New patients will surely wonder who is the Doctor and who is the patient. I think it will all be stunning and then there is trick or treat . Happy π Monday, Dr. Spo ,Congratulations on your new Sartorial Splendor!
October 18, 2021 at 7:08 AM
Urspo
My shirts are inspired by Hawaiian shirts. They started as derivatives of shirts bought on holiday in Key West.
October 18, 2021 at 3:49 AM
Moving with Mitchell
Elegant with a black T-shirt. I remember reading that in the rules of regs of the APA. Rule #734: No handmade Halloween shirts.
October 18, 2021 at 7:09 AM
Urspo
hohoho
I should someday have a look-see at the actual APA guidelines and by-laws I suspect they are as thick as fleas.
October 18, 2021 at 4:33 AM
Lori Hawkins
I love this shirt. The fabric is gorgeous and your sewing skills amaze me. Wear it with pride!
October 18, 2021 at 7:09 AM
Urspo
Thanks you
Too bad Palm Springs is in November as I like to show off my shirts there.
October 18, 2021 at 4:55 AM
David Godfrey
Nice work. The fabric shopping alone could become a full time hobby, we will meet you in New York someday, and go shopping in the garment district, bring an extra suitcase.
October 18, 2021 at 7:11 AM
Urspo
That would be a lot of fun!
Meanwhile I don’t ‘look’ for fabric as Fate (or someone like them) guides me to stumble upon a fabric store when I am least looking for one. Then, I see the shelves and lo! something ‘leaps out” as it were.
October 18, 2021 at 4:57 AM
jenn
Tis an excellent shirt! Do you have a fancy sewing machine? -Jenn
October 18, 2021 at 7:14 AM
Urspo
Thank you
Yes I have a very fancy sewing machine a Viking Husqvarna (there’s a word!) In hindsight it is a silly purchase. I sew using a few basics that are found on any machine. I could have done with a machine a fraction of this sucker. Someday of course I should try to learn all the properties – it has heaps.
October 18, 2021 at 5:18 AM
Debbie W.
Your shirt is amazing, and your sewing skills are equally amazing. Would a patient actually complain about your wearing this shirt? It seems like it would make most people smile. It has already brightened my day. π
October 18, 2021 at 7:17 AM
Urspo
I remember a patient coming in already looking for reasons to take umbrage for being here. He spied my shirt and asked with the accusation of an attorney: ‘why are you dressed like that?”. I immediately shuffled all the possible responses, and replied looking slightly surprised “Oh, you don’t like it?”. He replied Doctors are supposed to wear white. I told him I had made the shirt, using words to make him squirm in discomfort. Needless to say he didn’t return. He was looking for reasons not to return, so a lesson in tact and manners was as good as any.
October 18, 2021 at 5:26 AM
Debra She Who Seeks
An awesome shirt!
October 18, 2021 at 7:17 AM
Urspo
thank you!
October 18, 2021 at 5:44 AM
jefferyrn
Very festive. I have yet to unpack my sewing machine and tackle any new projects. We have a Tommy Bahama outlet store but I have not seen one as festive.
October 18, 2021 at 7:17 AM
Urspo
Say, are you around Palm Springs next month early November? I will be there too.
October 18, 2021 at 6:06 AM
Bob Slatten
Cool short. Such a talent.
The Christmas decorations in stores is enough to send me running back to my car!
October 18, 2021 at 7:18 AM
Urspo
Oh the pain.
October 18, 2021 at 6:34 AM
rjjs8878
Very festive. Black buttons are a good choice.
October 18, 2021 at 7:18 AM
Urspo
Last night I sewed on the black buttons and was pleased with the outcome.
I suppose I will wear it a few times this next fortnight.
October 18, 2021 at 8:03 AM
rjjs8878
I’m sure you will wear it well.
October 18, 2021 at 6:41 AM
Sam
I think one great shirt for each holiday is terrific.
October 18, 2021 at 7:19 AM
Urspo
Indeed.
I bought some Christmas fabric this year. In November I will get it out and make a shirt.
October 18, 2021 at 6:51 AM
Mistress Borghese
Oh I love this one!!! It tickles me that you get into the spirit too. Now I wonder if you should start creating a boxers line? With your patterns they’d be popular. Would you need to take measurements I wonder?
And so much as I enjoy Christmas, and lived in retail for years… my eyes roll too.
October 18, 2021 at 7:19 AM
Urspo
Take measurements of what though?
Yes, like you I love the holiday.
October 18, 2021 at 8:35 AM
Old Lurker
You are being too forgiving with the craft stores. All those who put out C*******s paraphernalia before Dec 1 (you heard me) get their names knitted right into Mme Defarge’s list.
October 18, 2021 at 8:43 AM
Urspo
I am going to agree with you on this one.
October 18, 2021 at 8:43 AM
Anne
If my psychiatrist were wearing a shirt like that, I would sing his/her praises for all the world to hear.
October 18, 2021 at 8:45 AM
Urspo
Thank you.
Truth be told my patients like my shirts. “Oh!” they sometimes say “Is that a new shirt?” Of course this may be a selection bias. Thems who dislike me/the shirts don’t stay around or keep their mouths mum on the matter.
October 18, 2021 at 9:45 AM
edyjournal
Handsome shirt! If shrinking heads ever stops working out for you, a shop on Etsy might.
October 18, 2021 at 10:33 AM
Urspo
Thank you!
I will keep my day job for now. π
October 18, 2021 at 10:32 AM
Parnassus
Question: How many yards of fabric does it take to make a Spo-shirt? And does it have to be any particular shape or orientation or way? We used to get pieces of Halloween fabric from Joanne’s to use as tablecloths, etc., and I am wondering if this is the type of fabric you use.
–Jim
October 18, 2021 at 10:39 AM
Urspo
2.5 yards are enough if the fabric’s pattern is small or nondescript (like a Batik). 3 yards is safe for large patterns – and for mistakes.
Through experience I’ve learned to first finger the fabric to see if it is appropriate for shirt making. Halloween II is made from a very light fabric; it almost didn’t make the proverbial ‘cut’.
October 18, 2021 at 11:01 AM
Sassybear
Yet another fabulous (fa-Boo-lous?) shirt, Spo. Well done!
October 18, 2021 at 11:07 AM
Urspo
Boo to you too deario!
October 18, 2021 at 12:38 PM
Will Jay
Tres chic! I imagine the any APA write up will be by the jealous mean girls.
October 18, 2021 at 12:59 PM
Urspo
I dunno about tres chic but it is tres apropos.
October 18, 2021 at 1:18 PM
Glenda
Well, that shirt is groovy, man. Far Out!
October 18, 2021 at 2:59 PM
Urspo
Groovy baby!
October 18, 2021 at 3:46 PM
glen
I wanted to comment on how wonderful your masks were (but didn’t) Now I want to tell you how much I love the shirt. I am envious of your sewing skills.
How fun that you can make seasonal clothes that fit you. Try to find a pumpkin shirt (or any seasonal shirt)in a man’s size (extra tall, too) I guess clothing people don’t think men wear such things. I try to sneak into a woman’s xl vest and sometimes can pull it off. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy the season, who cares what the APA says.
October 18, 2021 at 6:55 PM
Urspo
Thank you. My sewing skills are an example of many features:
I started very late in life and it took many many sewing attempts to get the hang of it. I still have things to learn.
Whenever I think I can’t do something I remember that is how I felt about sewing. It is something no one is born doing but learned.
October 18, 2021 at 4:02 PM
Pipistrello
You are clever! The fabric is very cute and your topstitching and buttonholes enviable. (I embiggened the photo to scrutinise.)
October 18, 2021 at 6:55 PM
Urspo
I should have waited until I sewn on the buttons, but the light was good so I took advantage of it. The buttons – flat black ones – turned out well.
October 18, 2021 at 5:12 PM
Steven
This Halloween shirt tops the first one as the festive “theme” occupies the entire shirt instead of just the yoke. The mention of needing to still do the buttons reminds me of finally learning how to sew one on about two weeks ago. It was nice to learn how to get the button to “float” away from the shirt so that the shirt can actually be buttoned.
October 18, 2021 at 6:56 PM
Urspo
To this day I am still not very good at sewing on buttons. This may because I am left handed but sew on buttons using my right hand.
October 18, 2021 at 6:16 PM
Linda Practical Parsimony
You do not “finger the fabric.” You determine the “hand.” That is the professional way to refer to touching the fabric to determine how it feels-smooth, rough, soft, stiff, etc. You do want to be consummate professional, don’t you?
I love the shirt! Maybe you can find Thanksgiving material.
Viking Husqvarna machines are wonderful!
October 18, 2021 at 6:57 PM
Urspo
Hey I learned something ! “Determine the hand” Thank you for this
There is no lack of Thanksgiving fabrics; I have never thought to make one probably on the grounds I so seldom have Thanksgiving. When I do, we got dressed up, not down.
October 18, 2021 at 9:48 PM
wcs
I echo all the praise. Beautiful shirt, even without the buttons!
October 19, 2021 at 6:35 AM
Robzilla
I love this shirt, and the fabric print is perfect for Halloween and hot weather.