Pattern/Technique: Fen Shirt by Fancy Tiger Crafts, size 20
Materials: Mora Slub rayon/linen blend in Cobalt, 2.5 yds
New skills: n/a
Lessons: This shirt came together really quickly—it's only 3 pieces and I've practiced all the techniques before--which is a nice affirmation of the skills I've been building over the past year.
I notched the underarm seams after serging them and took care not to notch too aggressively (the material is a pretty loose weave and I didn't want the notches migrating into the seams). The material seems to be holding and not fraying but I should keep an eye on this. (Update: the fabric has definitely frayed with washing and some of the serged edges have actually frayed away, though the seams appear to be still structural. I think in the future with loose weave I may serge and not notch, and see if the fabric can stretch to accommodate the underarm curve.)
I went out of order on the steps for finishing the neckband; I didn’t serge the bias binding before attaching it to the neckline, instead I serged the entire thing after attaching, and then pressed the seam to the inside of the shirt.
Topstitching the neckline is super important, especially with a shifty/drapey fabric that will stretch out when manipulated.
What I'd do differently: n/a
Care: Machine wash cold, lay flat to dry