Yeehaw!

Well it's been a long time coming but at last I put time aside to make my very own cowboy shirt, adapted into a very wearable dress, made out of some gorgeously soft light weight denim.

I bought this pattern over two years ago on Ebay and it has 5 great variations including one which has a button bib to protect the shirt from a 'steers horns'! I decided I didn't need this and chose Version E, though next time I think I will also add decorative plackets.

The instructions that came with the pattern were surprisingly good for a vintage pattern with fantastically clear diagrams. Having recently mastered welt pockets I thought it would be fun to challenge myself with these curved piped ones, but it was definitely worth doing a couple of practice runs before moving onto the real thing.

It was really important to follow the pattern's top tip and start with the bottom piping first, keeping the fabric as flat as possible as you sew the piping along the curved slash line to avoid gathering. If it is the first time you are doing a welt pocket you are very brave! I recommend watching a Youtube tutorial and practicing a conventional version first, before moving on.

I went a bit piping crazy, adding piping to the cuff and contrast stitching for extra detailing.
Pearly stud buttons were essential and I love the finished look they give.

The pattern came with a fantastic 'Cowboy Lore and Special Techniques' section, which amongst other things showed how to embroider arrowhead pocket reinforcements. I decided not to do this and give the shirt a more contemporary feel by just doing a bar tack either end. Also my embroidery skills need serious improving! I do have ideas of doing a Mexican tin art inspired embroidered design on the back of my next one but I guess we'll have to wait for another couple of years for that one...

How to sew welt pockets - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MOuOLkLqQM
Manuel's piped pockets - http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/3834/video-manuels-piped-pockets