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Glad it worked out! I’ve adjusted the neckline for friends by lowering as well and it’s worked out just fine. Happy New Year!

Hi, Liesl! Thank you so much for responding. I do hope you are feeling better!

Enbee, what I ended up doing was lowering the neckline by 1/8″ (essentially moving the seam line down to the 5/8″ mark”) which added an extra inch to the neck. I also added an inch to both front pieces at the center front, so that they actually overlapped. Since I had…[Read more]

I have no advice, but my husband has exactly the same issue and as a result all of his RTW shirts are too big on his torso. So if you have success with the modification I’d love to hear about it!

Hi Veronica,

Sorry for the silence; we’ve been laid low with the flu! In general, a longer collar band will mean lowering the neckline, but I would suggest marking the desired neckline on your muslin and measuring that first. You can probably use the collar band and collar from a different size once you know the length of the the neckline itself.…[Read more]

Hi Denise, I think you have misread the instructions but have the right idea.
You construct one set of front, side and back panels out of fabric A, then the same out of fabric B (lining). Then the hood. Then sandwich it all together and stitch the periphery before turning it through an armhole.
Which step is it that you’re reading?

I hope it goes well! Please show us when you’re done, and I’ll check in from time to time to make sure you’re doing ok in the meantime.

Ah, and here’s a shop that sells Cone!

Denim Store

I’ve been using the denim the Robert Kaufman makes and I love it, but I’m not sure where to tell you to get it? They make many different weights, so it’s helpful to know denim or have access different types so you can feel it. Sadly, the Cone Denim mill in the U.S. has closed, but they make absolutely lovely authentic, durable denim if you can get…[Read more]

Hi Kathy, there’s a tutorial that shows how to make any bodice sleeveless here: https://oliverands.com/community/blog/2014/04/customizing-the-layette-sleeveless-bodysuit-tutorial.html
Do you have the Building Block Dress Book? Changes like this are also well described in there.
I think the shirts will look great without sleeves. Have fun!

Thanks so much. I am thinking I will give this a go but may hack the pattern to remove the back pleats and keep the front. I will sew down the front pleats (great advice!). I have tried on a RTW skirt out of very similar material and that was one way to minimize the volume so I think I will give it a go! Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated!