Sewing: Prototype Button Up Shirts

So I found some really cute Surfs Up fabric from Dear Stella and a button shirt pattern that I wanted to make for Zack and Marshall, but the pattern was for a long sleeve shirt and was meant to be really long in the length, especially the back and I was thinking I would like more of a Hawaiian type shirt for summer.

I decided to make a trial run from fabric that was in the same line and make my alterations with those for a first attempt. I needed to cut the overall length shorter and at first I was going to make the hem straight across but after looking at my husbands shirts I decided some length in the back should occur. Then I also had to determine the length of the sleeves and since I didn't have the boys readily at hand I used a tee shirt I had purchased for my guesstimating. So a bit of trial and error.

Whenever you follow a pattern for the first time you never know quite what to expect, all was good until I got to the collar portion, that was my error. I envisioned a lined or contrast fabric on the inside of the shirt so opted for white instead of using the same material as the shirt. I think you can see where I am going with this, I messed up and ended up with the white collar on the outside and I was not about to undo it, it wasn't that simple. So in order to balance out that strip of white I decided to add some white bands on the sleeves. Now we have a very preppy looking shirt not what I was going for, but since this was the prototype it should be ok.

I am anxious to have them try them on so I can determine what adjustments need to be made.

So the Blue is for Zack and the Orange is for Marshall, but as you can see even thought I made Marhsall's smaller it looks almost the same size.

Best thing about this pattern is that cute pocket.

Here is the fabric that I plan to make the other shirts with, I think this time to be safe, no contrast collar.