Kim's Quilting Cotton Kalle Shirt

Name: Kim 
Instagram Handle: @diddlysquash_
Pattern Name and Designer: Kalle Shirt by Closet Core
Size Made: 26 (extended size range available only as a PDF)
Materials used:- Cloud 9 organic cotton quilting cotton (unpeeled oranges print no longer available), Moda Crossweave in Emerald, Raised Rim Coconut Shell 11mm buttons
Modifications: Lengthened shirt 2.5”  

Doesn’t quilting cotton come in just the best prints? I was a quilter before I was a garment sewist, so I’ve got a real appreciation for the variety of colors and prints you can find in quilting cotton. There’s truly something for everyone! But if you aren’t a quilter, you’ve probably heard it’s not the best choice for garment sewing, and thus, passed on some of the fun fabrics you’ve seen. While it isn’t always a great choice, quilting cottons can be perfect for the right garment! In fact, it’s a perfect fit for a quintessential button up shirt.  Button up shirts benefit from fabric with a tight weave and a nice amount of structure, which makes quilting cotton an easy choice. It’s also just fun and affordable! Different brands will have different hands and drape to their substrates, so it’s worth it to see if there are specific brands that you like, but they’ll all soften with wash and wear as well. Personally, I really like working with Ruby Star Society and Cloud 9 cottons.  I’ve wanted to make a Kalle shirt for a good while now, but nothing got me going like this fabulous orange print from Cloud 9 Fabrics. The organic cotton is soft and lovely to work with, and the print was so fun! Honestly a match made in heaven. I did decide to do a solid accent color for the collar, just because the scale of the print was a little weird for the size of the collar.  As for the pattern, I’m very pleased with the Kalle. There’s three different placket options, two collars, and three lengths to pick from, so it’s very easily customizable! I lengthened the cropped view by 2.5” just because I’m tall, and I went with a standard button placket and the stand collar. My favorite thing about it is how beautifully it is finished, just following the pattern instructions. I didn’t use my serger once, all the seams are fully enclosed (though you have the option to serge or zig zag instead if you prefer!). I’m already eager to make another!