Comparing Camp Shirt Patterns - The Donny Shirt vs. B6924
I recently purchased both of these patterns The Donny Shirt from Friday Pattern Company (which by the way is having a sale which they rarely do, it ends on July 19th, 2023, 30% off with code “SummerLoving”) and Butterick B6924. The Butterick pattern is designed by the Palmer Pletsch peeps. I wanted to make both shirts and see if I liked one over the other as in a battle of who is the best one, who do I love more. I actually made wearable muslins for both shirts and I have yet to make my final shirt for the Palmer Pletsch but I know what other adjustments I want to make and even pick different sizing which is a completely different hurdle that I’m trying to currently overcome but more on that later.
Has anyone tried either of these patterns? I was really hoping to LOVE one more than the other but I have to say I think they are BOTH great patterns, beautifully drafted and so different one from the other. The best part you can hack both of these patterns to your heart’s content.
THE DONNY SHIRT - The Friday Pattern Company
I thought we would start out with The Donny Shirt from The Friday Pattern Co. The Donny Shirt is a boxy pull on top. It has no darts, it has a patch pocket and a lapel collar. It’s meant to be loose and worn as an every day top. I have to say this was a quick sew. It took me two days to sew this top and I was taking my sweet time with it. The length on it seemed somewhat short on my muslin (and the fabric I used was a really light weight chambray fabric) so I went ahead and added 3” to the length of the pattern. There are lengthen and shorten lines on the pattern which is always a plus. I cut out a size XL - 18 and used a beautiful rayon linen blend from Stonemountain Daughter Fabrics (which I have to say were absolutely wonderful) and made my shirt. I’m really happy with it and it will be perfect for those hot summer days. I also love the colors on this top, Its bright orange and yellows and the print is rather abstract.
The construction on the Donny shirt is actually really easy and there is also a sew along on their YouTube channel. So if you are a beginner this is a great pattern to try as a shirt with a lapel collar. They do the burrito method to attach the inside yoke and they also insert the sleeves with the sides open. SO again, GREAT pattern if you are beginner and want to venture into something that takes a little bit more skill. I can see myself making one in a cream linen viscose with a bias cut skirt.
There are also TWO great hacks on this pattern online. One created by the pattern designer and another hack created by Joana Paige. Both lovely.
The facing on the Donny Shirt is stitched all the way thru the front.
A view inside of the back yoke for the Donny Shirt. It is fully sewed in throughout for a really nice clean inside.
Next up I wanted to talk about the Palmer Pletsch pattern B6924. It is described as a fitted shirt with a collar, yoke, back pleats, stitched hem and you can make this as a sleeveless shirt, short sleeve or a long sleeve. There are also three different lengths on this shirt and a curved hem. It also has two different patch pocket styles. A + for giving me all those views. The more views, the happier I get.
As with all Palmer Pletsch patterns there are lines to make adjustments and also a detailed sheet with how to find out if you need to make alterations and how to go about making those alterations. It’s one of those things I love about their patterns. Because let's face it, some times you just don’t know were to make adjustments. Like a swayback adjustment which I may have to do next time as I feel like I have a little bit of extra pooling of fabric on my back… but its also a 100% cotton fabric so I wonder if this would also happen with a linen viscose blend that has more drape.
I really loved this pattern. what a great pattern to have in the stash. Palmer Pletsch had made another camp shirt pattern (B6846) but it was unisex… and I didn’t bother getting that pattern and those patterns usually have so much ease; so I really appreciate that this pattern was made for women. I made view B and I cut a size 20 per the finished garment measurements. Once I had it finished I didn’t care for the boxier feel on this pattern that the shorter sleeves give it. I went ahead took it in 1” on both sides. I think what is throwing me off a little on this pattern are the sleeves and I have to say I really want to make the longer sleeve version so I can roll up my sleeves to 3/4 length and go about life.
This pattern is filled with little tips on how to get a beautifully finished pointy collar. Instructions are superb, very detailed and easy to understand. Just like with the Donny shirt the collar easing in can be a little daunting and you really have to go slow and adjust your fabric to make sure you get NO puckers on your collar inside and out, and if you do no big deal just go back in there, unpick and ease it right back in.
I mentioned before there are three different lengths to this pattern, you can also hack this pattern and make it into a sleeveless shirt dress perfect for summer. If you go to the Palmer Pletsch website you will see a blog post that talks about the pattern and one of the ladies is wearing the pattern as a long shirt dress.
Butterick B6924 by Palmer Pletsch - The facing is folded and sewed to the inside of the yoke.
This is the inside facing for B6924.
Back pleats - You have an option to do gathers or pleats.
In Conclusion, both of these patterns are great. It’s hard to pick just one because they are so well drafted, instructions are superb and I actually see myself wearing both of them. I know I will have to do the longer sleeves on the Butterick pattern on a nice viscose
