Western shirt using M6548

Towards the end of the school year, the 4th grade put on a silly play.  And I received a note from the music teacher to dress the kids in "western clothing" and bring a stick pony.  The note emphasized that there was no need to purchase anything and to be creative with items on hand.  The only requirement was that it could not be a t-shirt or very modern clothing.  Well, most of what I make Abi is pretty modern and she really had nothing that could fit the western theme.

But I had recently purchased McCalls M6548 really for the shorts and t-shirt pattern.  I had been looking for an older kid's raglan t-shirt, and another pattern geared for boys is always welcome in my house.  But, the collared shirt seamed perfect for this project.

In order to save some money and stick a bit to the intent of using what you already have, I found some pink linen blend that I had left over from a previous dress shirt I made her.  And to make it truly have some western flair, I drafted pockets with western-style flaps and bought pearled snaps for the front and pockets.

The pattern is actually pretty good.

Sizes available:  It comes in sizes 3 to 14 so it will be good for a whole range of kids.  The cover makes it clear that this was intended for boys, but it is basically a unisex style.
Special materials required:  For the dress shirt, view A, you will need some sort of button or snap and some interfacing for the collar and button placket.
Skill level required:  This shirt is very easy and was a smart choice for me to pick for a last-minute, unplanned project.  The collar does not have a stand and the sleeves are pretty basic in shape.


Good:  It was a simple project for a classic look.  I would like to use this pattern for my boy who loves a collared shirt.  I like a more traditional dress shirt with a collar stand and a separate button placket.  But the fold-over placket sure made it come together fast and it is a great option for beginners.
Bad:  I did not conduct my usual narrowing of the shirt and as you can see it is quite wide on her.  I did not mind because in the summer she will appreciate the breeze and this fall she can layer.  But, I do think the shirt runs big and you should keep that in mind when choosing your sizes.


Overall pattern rating:  I would give this pattern an overall rating of 4 bolts.

YEEEHAAA!