Never too many white shirts

Thanks for all the great feedback yesterday. 


There were a couple of things I would like to respond to over the next few days, but what I most interested me was that the idea of sewing a multitude of white shirts resonated.


It is always nice to know, when you suspect you have lost it, that aren't the only one.


I have been thinking this over and these are my reasons for my own white shirt mission (feel free to sew-along if you want-send me your link and I will post it here if you want) and white shirt thoughts in general, if I am missing anything let me know.


Ten reasons to sew ten white shirts:


1. Who ever looked a a white shirt in her closet and said "damn I don't have anything to wear with this"?


2. These are true wearable muslins. A white shirt allows a sewer to focus on technique and fit - and what you learn on these shirts/blouses can be transferred to other fabric.


3. In what other garment can you make many things from the exact same fabric? Multiple white shirts are cost effective, yardage, and notions saving.


4. You can wear a white shirt year round. Under a vest or cardigan in winter; as a sun cover suit in summer.


5. They don't really ever go out of style - unless the details are really crazy - but I would argue the white shirtedness extends shelf life.


6. They use classic fabrics, some of which you don't sew with any more. Pique, voile, swiss dot, broadcloth, oxford cloth, pima cotton, kona cotton. There is a bit of retro sewing process going on here,


7. The majority of white shirts are cotton. Easy to press and to sew. Plus you get that great satisfying steam coming off of the cotton - a cultural experience. Our culture.


8. It is easy to add details to a TNT - get a great fitting body and cuffs, sleeves, collars can be interchanged - in fact a lot of the patterns provide this in the envelope.


9. These are the ultimate snappy garment. Wear a white shirt when you are tired, crabby, or feeling sort of half-assed and it will make your appearance at least, looked perked up. There is occasional need in my life for this.


10. No one ever regrets the time spent on sewing a white shirt.


What are my standards going to be for sewing this self-challenge, and I guess for you if you are also feeling the urge:


1. I am starting November 1st. I need a week to think.


2. I am finishing when I am done. Feel free to go as far along with this is you want - if three white shirts is all you can face - well that's probably a sensible decision.


3. I will not do this straight, since I am a sewer much distracted by the bright shiny object. I will sew other things as I see the need between WS. See rule 2, this shouldn't be a problem.


4. I will use a variety of fabrics if I feel like it, as long as it is white.


5. I will make each shirt, or blouse, in some ways, different, reserving the right to carry forward techniques or details I like, in the interest of quality development. 


The object here is to explore the idea that limitations nurture creativity - I am not going to be mass producing 10 identical shirts - I don't sew like a factory and I don't sew in a factory.


My intention is to fully explore The White Shirt.


Any one else interested?