September 15, 2014

Ice ice baby (brother)


In response to popular demand, my little brother returns! And in another Thread Theory creation: this time, the Strathcona Henley.
Thread Theory Strathcona Henley
I whipped this up in advance of our Iceland trip, and Tom wore it on our expedition out to see geysers and waterfalls and cairns (oh my!). I made it using gorgeous Robert Kaufmann Laguna jersey, which I highly recommend. It’s beautifully soft, has a great weight and is super duper easy to sew with. The placket is a small amount of Atelier Brunette “Cosmic Blue”, which I bought ages ago to make an Archer with but have yet to use. And finally, the buttons are lovely pearlescent numbers from Grey’s Fabrics. 

I made the medium, and it fits OK, although it’s closer fitting through the chest and looser around the waist than designed, because my brother’s very “v” shaped (it’s a family trait…). Looking at the photos, I also had a bit of puckering at the seams where the cotton joins the jersey – any idea of how I could avoid that in the future?

Tom was most pleased and graciously agreed to an embarrassing photoshoot in front of various random tourists taking their photos by the fun cairns at the entrance to Pingvellir national park, the historic area of Iceland where governments were convened for centuries. There are stunning views over the vast lake and volcanic hills all around… it’s like Scotland on steroids!
(Don’t those rocks remind you of the stone trolls from Frozen?!)

I must say that sewing for boys is rather thrilling: no darts! no tucks! limited fitting! Quite the opposite of sewing for me. So Tom’s slowly building up a Thread Theory wardrobe, and I’m slowly mastering the ways of menswear. Have you tried Thread Theory patterns? Do you have any other recommendations for men’s patterns?

18 thoughts on “Ice ice baby (brother)

  1. Laura Arhire says:

    I made the Jebediah Trousers for my OH. I hear you with the fitting, all I had to do was decide on a shorter length than the pattern suggests at the end.

    1. Jenny says:

      Yes, I love the Jebediahs too! So satisfying to make.

  2. Crab and Bee says:

    I don’t know if it’s included in the pattern, but I like your woven placket (especially in that print!) My thought on reducing puckering where the knit and woven meet would be to make sure the woven is on top if you’re using a presser foot or use a walking foot. I’ve noticed that happens on my husband’s shirts with button plackets after washing/drying, however, and I’m wondering if the thread on the placket contracts in the dryer.

    1. That’s often the interfacing in the placket shrinking up and giving it that sort of rumpled look. If you’re using poly thread, it shouldn’t shrink, but cotton will. Some people preshrink interfacing, but I’m lazy, so I just buy nicer interfacing that’s already preshrunk.

  3. Jenny says:

    Yes the placket is one of the options on the pattern! Great instructions, too. I did use a walking foot, and the puckering isn’t obvious until it’s actually being worn. Oh well!

  4. This looks great, and what a photo backdrop!!! So cool! It’s hard to sew a woven to a stretch without some puckering, but stabilizing the knit edges with light interfacing might help with that. I’ve even had that puckering just sewing a stretch woven to a non-stretch… annoying!

    1. Jenny says:

      Thanks! Yes I will stabilize the knit edges as well next time… Will just have to make another 🙂

  5. Beautiful photos! As some of the other girls suggested I’d use some sort of stabilisation, like knit stay tape (I’m totally in love with it after using it to hem my wrap dress). You’re such a nice sister!

    1. Jenny says:

      Definitely next time – I used a woven on the placket but not on the knit…
      And I am indeed the best sister of all time – hopefully my brothers are reading this 😉

  6. I recently made the comox trunks pattern, that was a bit of a head twister, I thought I knew what men’s boxers were like, until I tried to make them and realised I didn’t have a clue. But it did use up some left over t shirt material quite nicely and they do get worn.

    http://prolificprojectstarter.wordpress.com/2014/09/12/brief-encounter/

    1. Jenny says:

      Ah I need to try those next! Although I’m not sure I’ll manage to convince my brother to pose in his undies 🙂

  7. Oh, and I meant to say lovely top, I love the subtle colours and the contrast placket gives it a lovely lift.

  8. tanyamaile says:

    I already have the Jedediah pants, so I guess I should get this pattern as well. I just saw some manly pique on Fabric Mart that looks like it will work great for this. Thanks for the heads up on the fit and your bro looks dashing as usual! What a spectacularly strange and beautiful place Iceland is!

    1. Jenny says:

      Yeah, give it a go! Also I love the idea of manly pique 😀

      A few more photos of Iceland still to come next week!

  9. lisa g. says:

    this shirt is great! i’ve been meaning to sew this for the husband but haven’t gotten around to it. and sewing woven to knit is just hard! as much as i am lothe to hand base things first, that may be the best option before sewing the woven placket to the knit shirt.

    1. Jenny says:

      I used a glue stick actually to help with getting the placket accurate (it’s definitely my most accurate to date), but the woven to knit thing did stymie me a bit!

  10. You guys are the cutest!! After our pants class I’ve been really into the idea of trying Thread Theory’s pants pattern. I love that your bro is all about wearing your handmade clothes!

    1. Jenny says:

      Yeah give it a go! My brother is remarkably game for it, but I do have to go to immense lengths to make sure I don’t make things girly… It’s hard! Boys just like boring colours 🙁

Let me know what you think!