End-of-Summer Men’s Pants, Shirt, & Cotton Cardigan

written by Male Pattern Boldness August 26, 2015 13 comments

The summer is coming to a close, alas!

At this time of year I’m focused on sewing things I can still wear in the heat but which can carry me over into the cooler days to come. I’m about to go on vacation and the weather in Cape Cod this time of year is mighty variable.

Here’s what I made to take with me:

Last year I sewed a shawl-collar cotton cardigan out of a beautiful blue sweater knit I found in Mood Fabrics in NYC. At the time, I purchased the same knit in a sandy-beige colorway and it had been sitting in my stash since then. I decided to make another cotton cardigan, this time for my partner, Michael (I claim borrowing privileges, of course). Once again I used McCall’s 5267, a vintage pattern from 1976.

I made very few changes from the first time I made it, and even used identical wooden buttons (nothing looks as good, imo). This time I lined my two front patch pockets with a Liberty of London remnant left over from an earlier project. I think it adds an elegant touch.

My white sleeveless cotton shirt is made from a vintage 1941 men’s underwear pattern, McCall’s 4474. It’s a dressier alternative to a knit undershirt and is equally cool to wear, if not more so. (You can find similar shirting at Mood here.)

Finally, my pants are made from pale pink pants-weight cotton canvas. I drafted the pattern myself using Dorothy Moore’s book, Pattern Drafting & Dressmaking. The pants have two single-welt pockets in back and two front side pockets. I used another Liberty of London remnant for the pockets.

I drafted the waistline a little higher than I usually wear it — which seems to be the way things are moving these days. I may add buttonholes and buttons to those back pockets down the line.

While styling this photo shoot, I also discovered this outfit looks great with my patchwork madras shirt from two years ago. For cool September morning dog walks, perhaps?