Pattern Description: Style Arc Clayton Woven Shirt: Shirt with two body shape options – a “relaxed shape” shirt with a back yoke and optional collars, sleeves and pockets or a “classic fit” shirt with optional front and back yokes, sleeves, collars and pockets.

Pattern Sizing: 4-30. I made a size 4 at shoulders/chest, grading to a 6 at the hip. I made the Classic shirt with long sleeves, bias sleeve placket and double buttoned cuff, regular pointed collar and stand. I added a single pocket with no flap.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Um, no. Style Arc patterns are known for their brief instructions. I had a lot of trouble with the bias sleeve placket and first sewed it wrong. I had to look up videos on youtube to figure out how to do it correctly. Otherwise I would say the instructions are adequate if you've sewn shirts before.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I feel very strongly that the PDF version of this pattern needs a printing key for the letter size version so you know which pages to print for which view you are making. I had to print out the entire ~100-ish pages and then pull out just the ones I needed. A huge waste of time, ink, and paper.

Theoretically this pattern is super useful because there are 2 views, an oversized shirt and a classic fit and tons of variations within each version so you can use the same pattern to make many different shirts. However, the lack of a printing key makes all of these features much less useful. If I wanted to sew a different view of the shirt I would consider printing on large format instead of letter.

Fabric Used: Minerva Core Range 3/8 inch Gingham Check Yarn Dyed Cotton Chambray Fabric Grey. I really like this substrate as it is easy to cut, press, and sew. I did have some issues trying to get the checks to match but that was probably more my problem than the fabric. I did cut on a single layer and tried my best to match as I cut but I wasn't 100% successful and had to try to fudge it a bit in the sewing process.

Changes/alterations: I sized down from my measurements one size based on past experience with Style Arc. I think that was the correct decision. I also graded up to a 6 at the upper back for my broad back and also at the bicep instead of doing a full bicep adjustment. I shortened the sleeves 2 3/8" and did a 3/8" narrow shoulder adjustment. I typically do not have to do a narrow shoulder adjustment, however since this was suppose to be more of a close fit I felt that the original shoulders extended a bit too far without one.

Though this might sound like a lot of adjustments I actually found that the fit was pretty decent without having to make too many changes after sewing my muslin.

Would you sew it again? Yes, I really am happy with the fit I was able to achieve and I could see myself making more classic shirts in the future. I would technically like to be able to change up the options as well and try the oversized version but the printing issue makes that less likely, unfortunately.

Conclusion: I ended up with a very versatile classic button up shirt that I can wear year-round and that will go with a lot of items in my closet. I am thrilled with the results I got. I just wish that the pattern was easier to use, as it has the potential to become a true TNT.

#minervamakes #minervamakers #minervabrandambassador #memade #shirtmaking #chambray #stylearc #SAClayton #gingham