Pattern Review: Fairfield Button-Up Shirt by Paper Theory

I love sewing button-up shirts: for me and now also for my husband.

The Fairfield Shirt are a button-up shirt with all of the classic details and a modern, moderately slim fit.  This design features a slim collar with collar stand, an optional chest pocket, flat felled seams and a yoke.

The pattern is available in PDF and paper pattern version by Thread Theory. I used the PDF pattern. The pattern comes in two size ranges: slim to average and larger size range. Average sizes XS to XXL (chest: 92 cm till 117 cm) and the Large sizes M to 4XL (chest: 102 cm till 127 cm).

I made a size XL in the larger size range for the floral blue cotton shirt, and slim (graded) down from waist to hip for the chambray paisley..

This pattern has 18 pattern pieces.

For the floral blue cotton shirt, I didn't make any fit adjustment prior. However, I shortened the sleeves as my husband prefers short sleeves and it means I don't have to sew cuffs.

The instructions are good for the majority of the pattern. When sewing the collar, I used the instructions of the Byrdie Button-Up since the instructions for the collar constructions are amazing!

I would say the pattern is best suitable for an intermediate to advanced sewists. The graphics of the instructions are simple.

One thing I don't like about the pattern and instructions is that all seams a flat-felled. The seams have different seam allowances and you would have to alter the pattern pieces to just overlock for a quick finish. Flat-felled seams are pretty but also time consuming. For quick fit checks and first wearable toiles, it would be great just to sew it together with an overlocker.

This shirt (in floral blue cotton) is a good wearable toile but it was too big in the end. I didn't need the larger size. My husband is larger in the chest and narrower towards the hip. So the second shirt, I took about 4" or more away from the side seams and straightened them which is pretty much the shape of the average size.

He loves the paisley Chambray Shirt a lot - I managed to finish it for his birthday last month. The fabric is from my trip to London in March when we visited the Knitting & Stitching show.

I have quite a few more fabrics to make him more shirts including a rayon with lemons (fun!). I am looking for fun prints but it's really hard to find fabrics that aren't novelty quilting cottons.

Thanks for hanging out with me. Have you made this pattern before? Or do you have fun-printed fabric suggestions?

Happy Sewing!

Maria

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