Spo-fans may recall I purchased some fabric a few weeks ago in order to make some shirts for my pending trip to California next month. Last weekend (I think it was) I made a shirt with a black and white pattern. Urs Truly isn’t a black and white sort of fellow but loves color, lots of it – usually the more the better. Oh, to give the world a paint job using bright bold colors of Emerald Green, Prussian blue, and Jungle Red! (one coat or two)!
I’ve christened this one the “Colorful Squares” shirt, a precise if not too imaginative name. It came out OK. I am pleased as Punch to have gotten the front squares to line up although I think this is more dumb luck than careful cutting. The hardest part of a shirt is connecting the yoke to the rest of the garment. This never comes out quite right. This time I sewed it on by hand. It’s tedious but worth it. Only at the end did I realize there is a better way to connect the yoke prior to sewing on the decorative stitches and that is to use a sort of ‘glue paper’ set by a hot iron. It only took over a hundred or so shirts to connect the dots on this simple notion.
I think I will stop for awhile as there are no lack of Spo-shirts to choose from for my holiday. I could change every hour!
I like this one a lot – probably because of the color. I hope it makes me looks good and not like a clown.
P.S. I just noticed the hanging thread on the starboard side sleeve. Oh the embarrassment. I will tend to that right now.
65 comments
February 27, 2023 at 2:47 AM
Richard
That is a nice looking shirt. You know how to do that.
Dear Spo, you will never look like a clown with the people who love you. I like the colorful squares shirt. I like the colors, i like the shirt. I could feel at home in that world.
February 27, 2023 at 7:03 AM
Urspo
Thank you for all these nice compliments; they made my morning.
February 27, 2023 at 3:00 AM
Moving with Mitchell
I loved this fabric when you shared it and it looks even better on the shirt. Beautiful. And beautiful job at pattern alignment.
February 27, 2023 at 7:04 AM
Urspo
Thank you. Making a shirt with a pattern such as this one means I have to be careful with lining things up. The shirt sleeves didn’t come out as good as hoped but the front made up for it.
February 27, 2023 at 3:43 AM
mcpersonalspace54
I think you did a great job with this shirt. And, I would have never noticed the thread had you not pointed it out! Very colorful!
February 27, 2023 at 7:05 AM
Urspo
I’ve learned to carry a small sewing kit with me on the debut of a shirt as dangling threads live on for some time.
February 27, 2023 at 3:52 AM
BadNoteB
My eyes immediately focused on the pattern match at the front buttons and pocket upon opening today’s entry. Such is the bane of my anal retentive ilk on this planet, I fear. What a superb accomplishment with what I recognized as a tedious challenge ahead upon seeing the fabric in your previous post. Ten atta-boys and a dozen high-fives for a job well done, Tailor Spo! And kudos for recognizing the potential of that print for creation of a great looking shirt.
I learned about that basting tape many years ago on one of the PBS sewing programs. After exhausting the Bob Ross and Jerry Yarnell painting shows, I found myself hooked on “Love Of Quilting” and “Sewing With Nancy” at 6:00 on Saturday mornings. No idea why as I’ve never sewed anything more than the rare missing button on a shirt…
February 27, 2023 at 7:06 AM
Urspo
Basting tape! that’s the mark! Next time (finally) I try basting tape rather than some of the alternatives I’ve tired. Would you believe I once used scotch tape?
February 27, 2023 at 4:01 AM
DwightW.
Funny with all that beauty and hard work , I noticed the thread as well, although first I thought a little of an Amish Quilt. It is a beautiful shirt and a skill , you should be proud of! Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy!
February 27, 2023 at 7:07 AM
Urspo
Oh the embarrassment. But I am not surprised. Long after a shirt is ‘done’ I find loose threads and bits that need tidying. I’ve learned to have a small sewing kit with scissors for these inevitable findings.
February 27, 2023 at 4:27 AM
Debbie W.
Your shirt is absolutely beautiful. The colors and the craftsmanship are enviable. You will surely be the talk of the town on your holiday!
February 27, 2023 at 7:09 AM
Urspo
LOL thank you. I still have a vaguely narcissitic fantasy I show up at the resort dressed in my shirt and all heads turn to swoon over my handsome self (or at least the shirt). Ever hear of the ‘spotlight effect”? That’s what happens.
February 27, 2023 at 4:39 AM
David Godfrey
And you don’t have to worry about your rival showing up in the same frock. A pretty one of kind – like you.
February 27, 2023 at 7:13 AM
Urspo
While making it I realized I had unconsciously done something. Last time I was in Palm Springs I stopped by an expensive men’s shop that had a shirt similar to this one. It cost !50$. I remember thinking I could make my own for a fraction of that price – and I have done so!
February 27, 2023 at 6:05 AM
jenn
Fantastic shirt! What does the inside tag say? -Jenn
February 27, 2023 at 7:14 AM
Urspo
It says “Designed by [my name]” I got them made by a sewing company that makes custom-made tags.
February 27, 2023 at 6:21 AM
Debra She Who Seeks
Beautiful job! This pattern looks exactly like “half-pans” of watercolour paint. I just bought a new set so half-pans leapt immediately to mind.
February 27, 2023 at 7:15 AM
Urspo
Yes, I see that now. I remember from grad school having water color tins with oval plates for the colors that eventually all got muddy like these squares.
February 27, 2023 at 6:43 AM
Ron
Yet another masterpiece Spo Shirt! I a green with envy.
February 27, 2023 at 7:15 AM
Urspo
I am glad you have some of your own
February 27, 2023 at 7:31 AM
Ron
I do! And I treasure them.
February 27, 2023 at 8:39 AM
Sluggy
I don’t think you’ll look like Bozo the clown in this as long as you ditch the oversized floppy shoes and rubber nose. haha Seriously, a subdued and understated button choice keeps it from going over to garish. I like it too!
February 27, 2023 at 11:52 AM
Urspo
I am always glad to hear from you!
We actually have large red rubber noses, I forget what sort of charity was giving them out. It’s fun to wear but I can’t breathe in one.
February 27, 2023 at 3:03 PM
Old Lurker
From what I can tell you did not say exactly, other than that Someone gave you yours as a gift: https://sporeflections.wordpress.com/2016/03/30/spo-reflections-on-the-clown-archetype/
February 28, 2023 at 12:34 AM
Linda Practical Parsimony
This was going to be my suggestion, but I see I got here too late.
February 27, 2023 at 8:44 AM
Old Lurker
You can never have enough Spo-shirts! Just ask Someone. You wouldn’t want to be caught lounging around in Palm Springs in last year’s Pradas, now would you? (And yet, people don’t mind if you lounge around in last year’s birthday suit..)
What strikes me about this shirt is that unlike many other patterns, the squares here are non-overlapping. I would be interested in knowing your evaluation once you have tried it on for a while.
February 27, 2023 at 11:53 AM
Urspo
Indeed the proof is in the pudding how does it feel to wear it in color and ‘fit’. Sometimes these don’t pan out.
February 27, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Robzilla
Another great shirt, and the pattern is perfect for one to enjoy themselves in Palm Springs. Right?
February 27, 2023 at 11:53 AM
Urspo
It is the goal!
February 27, 2023 at 10:53 AM
Freckles
‘Fess up, you want to be the Human Twister Game on your holiday … Quite the ice breaker and very ingenious of you. P.S. The workmanship is superb.
February 27, 2023 at 11:53 AM
Urspo
Patience above! I hadn’t thought of that!
I will be happy with some one saying ‘nice shirt, where did you get it?”
February 27, 2023 at 11:25 AM
Betty
I love your reference to the nail polish colour “Jungle Red” which is used in the movie “The Women.” I’ve always thought that the nail polish line, OPI, which is known for using witty names on their polish line, never thought to use that colour name. Or for that matter, a whole line of nail polish based on that movie. I also think that the shirt that you made is great and you will look fabulous wearing it while visiting in Palm Springs.
February 27, 2023 at 11:54 AM
Urspo
I am pleased as Punch you got the reference. I like sprinkling things like this in my scribbles, just to see if someone will ‘get it’.
February 27, 2023 at 11:27 AM
Betty
I meant to say that I always wondered why OPI never used the name Jungle Red on any of it’s nail polish colours. Maybe the studio that owns/owned the rights to the movie, used to be MGM now it’s SONY, won’t allow it. In any case, one of my favourite colours from OPI is “I’m not really a waitress” Red. The colour is as great as it’s name:)
February 27, 2023 at 11:55 AM
Urspo
I hadn’t thought of that viz. it is/isn’t a real color of nail polish. It ought to be!
February 27, 2023 at 1:24 PM
Glenda
With white shorts, this will be the most coveted outfit at the resort. Really nice shirt.
February 27, 2023 at 7:49 PM
Urspo
Thank you – but that means people would see my legs – not my best feature. ho ho ho
February 27, 2023 at 1:54 PM
Alicia
I’ve been gone from the blogging world for a while but it’s nice to be back and to find a lovely post from you with this beautiful shirt. I love it! I’m a colors person myself. If you could see me now I’m wearing a tie-dyed t-shirt in greens, pinks, yellows and blues. Enjoy California!!!
February 27, 2023 at 7:50 PM
Urspo
HUGS!
I was delighted hear from you and see you are posting again! I will drop by an have a look-see this week.
February 27, 2023 at 3:44 PM
Gigi Rambles
I LOVE it! Such a fun shirt; when you shared the fabric I just knew this was going to be a great looking shirt.
February 27, 2023 at 7:51 PM
Urspo
I am often not sure. Some times a fab fabric ends up being a disappointing shirt, and somethings a ho-hum fabric ends up being a great shirt. It’s funny to see this happen.
February 27, 2023 at 5:36 PM
jefferyrn
Nicely done. I might get motivated to attempt one of these myself.
February 27, 2023 at 7:52 PM
Urspo
Do so!
Will you be around PS this mid-March that we may meet up?
February 27, 2023 at 6:35 PM
Sassybear
I love the colors on this. It will look great on you.
February 27, 2023 at 7:52 PM
Urspo
After all I am a ‘winter’
February 27, 2023 at 7:34 PM
Wes
Who taught you to sew this well and to make your own patterns?
February 27, 2023 at 7:54 PM
Urspo
Somewhere buried in the years is an entry ‘why I sew”
which tells how I sort of stumbled into it and more or less ‘self – taught’ and with tons of practice got better.
That’s it. Nothing skillful or innate but practice 🙂
February 28, 2023 at 1:06 AM
Old Lurker
The entry is buried here:
(Someone has a sister?!)
February 27, 2023 at 9:09 PM
Will Jay
Too Fabu! You will be the talk of the town!
February 28, 2023 at 6:46 AM
Urspo
Let us hope so!
February 27, 2023 at 10:18 PM
Parnassus
I think this is your best one yet! I love the colors and your management of the little squares. I noticed the fleurs-de-lys on the tag–people won’t give you credit for this, but just assume it is a direct-from-Paris import. –Jim
February 28, 2023 at 6:47 AM
Urspo
I agree it may be one of my better ones. Let’s see how it does in time.
February 27, 2023 at 10:51 PM
Pipistrello
What a handsome Spo-shirt! You’ve done such a marvellous job lining up your squares; it looks very professional. The good thing about a multi-coloured garment is that it’ll match anything else you’ve got on 🙂
February 28, 2023 at 6:47 AM
Urspo
Indeed so! Love color!
February 27, 2023 at 11:18 PM
wcs
The colors are wonderful. I hope you’ll model it for us when you get to PS.
February 28, 2023 at 6:47 AM
Urspo
Yes I hope to do so.
February 28, 2023 at 12:38 AM
Linda Practical Parsimony
You did well matching the squares. I am glad you discovered basting tape!
February 28, 2023 at 6:48 AM
Urspo
Were I discovered it several shirts ago! However I go forward with this blessed savings device.
February 28, 2023 at 1:05 AM
Raybeard
Fabulous ‘look-at-me’ shirt! Would stand out magnificently in any crowd. and would be sure to go down especially well at any ‘Pride’ event. Well done!
February 28, 2023 at 6:48 AM
Urspo
Thank you! I am always glad to hear from you!
February 28, 2023 at 4:51 PM
Laurel Hill
I love this shirt. And if you meet any designers on your travels, it has great Pantone vibes.
February 28, 2023 at 9:11 PM
Urspo
Thank you. Whenever some stranger says ‘nice shirt’ it makes my day to say ‘hey, I made it”.
March 1, 2023 at 5:22 AM
Hugh W. Roberts
I’d buy this shirt if it was available in the local high street. I’m impressed not just with the shirt (I love the colours) but by the person who made it. Were you a Taylor in a previous (or upcoming) life?
March 1, 2023 at 6:50 AM
Urspo
Bless you!
Tailoring is my hobby; Medicine is my profession.
I don’t plan on switching them any time soon.
March 1, 2023 at 8:01 AM
Hugh W. Roberts
Buit who knows…in your next life.