Ottobre 03/2010-23 "Beethoven" shirt

Since Logan has been busily outgrowing his dress shirts, it was time for a new one.  I let him choose the fabric, so naturally it features soccer balls.

Not exactly traditional dress shirt material, but at least he'll wear it.  I love the way that it fits.  I know you can't really tell from this picture, but it has a very slim, modern fit, both in the body and sleeves.

The pattern is from the 03/2010 issue of Ottobre.  Ottobre calls it the "Beethoven" shirt and it comes in a short and long sleeved version.  This is the second long sleeved shirt I have made with an Ottobre pattern, and they have both had features that I like.  Here is last year's, from the 04/2004 issue.  It had a two piece collar and traditional menswear sleeve placket, as well as a cool yoke with curved shoulder seams.

Here you can see some of the features that I like about this design.  The yoke is lined (obviously that is an easy fix, but still...).  I like the shape of the pocket on this one as well.  One thing I didn't like (that I thought I would!) was the collar.  It is a one piece collar, but shaped like a collar with stand.  I thought it would be easier than a traditional collar with stand, but it wasn't really, and it doesn't have the structure that the separate stand gives it.

The sleeve placket is bound, which is generally a detail I associate with women's blouses.  While I prefer a traditional topstitched menswear sleeve placket generally, it would get totally lost in this busy print, so I think this was fine for this shirt.  I also like the double buttoned cuff.

Overall, the two different styles each had elements that I really liked, so for Logan's next shirt, I'm just going to pick and choose the features I want and frankenpattern.

Mom, quit takin' pictures of me.  I'm playing with my trains!