The consensus in New York is that people are done with winter. Over it. Fini. Every time I hear someone mention this, I respond with my best empathetic nod. “Hmm. Yes, I totally understand. It is so awful.” But really, I’m not over it. I, dare I say, like winter.
I missed the snow while we were in Japan (though they are getting record amounts this year!). I love it when snow falls. I love big flakes that stick to your hair and the kind of snow you can brush off your coat and even the icy mix that crunches under boots. When I wake up to snow falling, I still get excited. My days are not affected by school closures or weather in general, but that feeling of snowy morning glee is hard to shake.
Now, I realize that snow in New York is very different from snow in other places. With temps here hitting the 40s, the snow is packed down into wet, slick ice. Mixed with gray skies, exhaust fumes, soggy dog poo, and garbage that hasn’t been picked up in weeks (garbage trucks are too busy plowing), the snow is not a pretty sight. But it doesn’t bother me.
I’ve found other ways to combat the gray. I started sewing this shirt, oh, five months ago, so it carries a warm-weather vibe. I bought the fabric for 100 yen a meter in the Nippori fabric district in Tokyo and thought it would be ideal for a wearable practice Archer. And boy did it deliver.
I have made two button-up shirts before, so I had some confidence going into this project. Collar stand, cuffs, button holes = no problem. Some of my top stitching is a little wonky and my seams are finished with a plain ol’ zig-zag stitch, so it definitely feels like a practice shirt, but the fabric is light with nice drape so I think I’ll get a lot of wear out of it this summer.
I made View B with the gathered lower back, though it is hard to see in these photos. I really like the gathered detail, and I think it would look great with even thinner fabric, like maybe these flamingos? I wanted to make View A in flannel and snaps, but at the rate I’m sewing this year, I wouldn’t get it done before the snow melts. Guess I’ll have to check out the Garment District for more Archer fabric. Darn! 😉
You can take the girl out of Minnesota, but it is much harder to get her out of her boots. Flurries in the forecast today, folks!
Saké Puppets 
It’s so good to see you sewing again and showing off your lovely outfits! You cannot miss gathers on the back, they are cool!
Thanks Inna! I like this pattern a lot, I think I’ll have to make more!
Love the fabric and the gathers. You are quite the seamstress. Way to go!!! (Can I say I’m proud too?). 🙂
Thanks Lynn! I hear the craft bug is spreading to MN, too… 😉
Tres jolie chemise !! vous etes très belle dedans ! really beautiful !
Merci!
This looks lovely! Beautiful fabric + great pattern. I’m glad you’re enjoying the NYC winter! I saw a funny Bill Cunningham thing online about men in dress shoes navigating piles of slush… your boots look much more practical.
Haha! After a lot of prodding from me, my husband bought a pair of Sorel boots a few months back. He recently thanked me. 🙂
I love it! You’re looking great too, lady. xo
Thanks! I hope to see your bird dress this summer — we can be twins!
So pretty! I love the Archer made up in more feminine fabrics- I think it balances really well with the more masculine style of the pattern. And more people should make up view B, love that gathered lower back!
Thanks Jenny! The back is such a nice little surprise — it looks like a simple shirt, and then you turn around and wham! Fancy! 🙂
Love that fabric!
Snow up here in Canada has been horrendous this past month. We got about 2-3 feet of snow piled on us in a single week, power went out multiple times for some people (a rarity here, though I hear that’s more common in the States), and there are still snowbanks higher than my head along the sidewalks of my street. I like early winter, when the snow is a novelty and it’s not too cold, but by the time mid-February hits, I’m anxious for it to end.
Love the print! I agree, I am not DONE with winter, it’s a bit sparse in these areas, it’s cold enough but sometimes the precipitation isn’t timed right.