Brooklyn
It’s time for the next letter in my #ABCPatternStashChallenge! My stash did not have too many letter B patterns in it, but one in particular stood out as my next endeavor. The Brooklyn. This pattern is actually one of the main reasons I decided to start the Pattern Stash Challenge. It has been in my “to do” list for ages, but I always put it off because….
It has buttons!
So here I am, someone who has been terrified of working with buttons, about to dive right in to fulfill my challenge letter B with a pattern literally designed with buttons! Not only did I decide that I wanted to make one of this pattern… it was so nice, I made it twice!
The Pattern
The Brooklyn is a beautiful buttoned shirt that can be made for any season. I’ve seen so many button up shirts on Pinterest and in retail stores that I loved the look of but never thought I’d be able to make myself. Low and behold, this pattern gave me a great opportunity to make some amazing shirts that I don’t need to buy!
Sleeve Options
- Tank
- Short Sleeve
- Long Sleeve
Hem Options
- Straight No Tie Hem
- Tie Front
- Curved Back Hem
- Straight Back Hem
Both shirts I made were a size 8.
The Fabric
I decided that for my two Brooklyn’s I wanted to use a different fabric base for each. The tank version is a Double Brushed Poly from Amelia Lane Designs called Paige, and the Blue French Terry is from Surge Fabric shop. I chose to do different bases mainly to compare the drape for the pattern with each, but also because I liked each!
Both fabric meet the pattern requirement of at least 20% Vertical and 10% horizontal stretch. Alternatively I could also have used ITY, Waffle Knit, Rib Knit, or Modal.
Both fabrics feel great, but with the weather heating up, I am preferring the DBP for my summer wardrobe.
Feedback and Final Thoughts
So this pattern was a great challenge for me since I had never tried buttons or button holes before. The tank top Brooklyn I had made with my original sewing machine, the Janome MC 9900. While a great machine, this project was the final straw the broke the camels back to convince me to get a new sewing machine. Rather than a dual purpose machine, I decided a dedicated sewing machine was needed, and got myself a Babylock Brilliant! Comparing the two in just how they handled buttons and button holes is night and day. A lot less cursing too! The lines were clean and strong, and the machine didn’t eat the fabric which is a huge pain when it does happen.
With making button holes, I was researching the best methods to then open the button. The method I found to be the simplest was to use pins and a seam ripper as seen below. Basically, you place a pin (or two if doing each side) at the edge of the button hole just before the stitching to prevent the seam ripper from cutting through.
Get the Look!
Pattern: Brooklyn by Sonia Estep Designs
Fabric:
- Paige – Amelia Lane Designs – A Double Brushed Poly
- Blue French Terry – Surge Fabric Shop – To get a 10% off coupon, click here!
Have you made a garment with buttons? Do you prefer the drape of the DBP or French Terry? Let me know in the Comments!
FInal Image, or Outtakes
