The Donny Shirt

I’ve seen so many of these on Instagram; I knew I would have to jump on the band wagon eventually!

This is the Donny Shirt by Friday Pattern Company.

For my first Donny I wanted to use a fabric that highlighted all the details that make it ‘The Donny Shirt’. I chose a white midweight structured cotton linen blend from Fabworks. It perfectly fitted onto the metre or so I had left over from my Byrdie Button Up pin-tucked shirt.

The Donny is described as a ‘boxy pull-on dartless top that has a lapel collar and patch pocket.‘

It was such an enjoyable sew. Yes, creating the bottom of the ‘V’, where four pattern pieces meet, was a little tricky on this first occasion. You have to be so accurate in marking the ‘dot’ and precisely sewing up to the ‘dot’ from all directions. My second one will certainly be less head scratchy!

I just love that placket. And the fact there are no buttons, no collar stand and no cuffs!!

I sewed up a size small in accordance with my bust measurement and no modifications.

It is a perfect fit across my bust and back, and the sleeve head fits perfectly on the top of my shoulders.

Unfortunately I seem to have deleted the photo of the back view. Otherwise I could have shown you the lovely dipped hem!!

The sleeves are set in on the flat, before sewing up the side seams. The instructions call for gathering the tops of the sleeve heads prior to sewing on to the body. I didn’t bother with the gathering, they didn’t even need much easing in at all. – So a definite time saver, not to bother with that step.

Due to the weight of the cotton linen blend fabric I didn’t interface the placket. I used some light weight sew in interfacing in the collar.

I do find that the whole top likes to drop to the back a little. I’m unsure if this is due to the weight of the longer back section or if this is the dropped back catching on my bum as I walk.

In summary it’s a lovey breezy top for warm days. To justify the cost of the pattern, I need to make it up a couple more times, probably in a more drapey fabric. Some viscose linen would be perfect and I’ve some lovely crepe de chine in various colours. I’ll lengthen the front to make it more useful for tucking in for work.

Love, Lucie xx