How to Make a Vintage Shirt

I know: if you make it yourself, it's not vintage, strictly speaking. But if you love vintage style, yet (a) find that the vintage stuff on the market isn't up to your standards (nylon blouse? no thanks), (b) are a non-vintage-friendly size or (c) want to create something totally original, then this instructable is for you. What I'm about to do is make a new shirt with a vintage piece of fabric, using a sacrificed thrift store shirt as a pattern with a couple of changes. This project is not for first-time sewers, and although it is not difficult, I don't recommend it if you are looking for a super-easy, quick-to-make project.

My sewing background is fairly extensive and I spent four years working in theater costume construction, so I may have some techniques that you're not familiar with even if you're a handy home sewer. Give them a try. I also have a small library of great reference books which I might mention throughout the instructable.

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Step 1: Find Inspiration

I like to look at photos of illustrated vintage pattern envelopes (easily googled) for inspiration for several reasons.
First, they show you the pure style idea with no distractions and often in several variations.
Second, the illustrations tend to show seam lines and darts, which makes it easier for me to draft the pattern myself if I want to.
Third, and possibly most important, the back of the envelope has yardage indications for each size and for various widths of fabric. Very, very useful.

You can also look at finished garments, or dream up something in your own imagination.

I came up with this sketch after I'd seen the fabric I knew I wanted to do something with. I made a couple of changes during construction (I made an attached collar rather than two separate ones, and there's no bust dart), but otherwise the finished shirt is corresponds pretty much to the design and I was very excited with it.