What is Reddit's opinion of Shirtmaking: Developing Skills For Fine Sewing?

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David Page Coffin — Shirtmaking: Developing Skills for Fine Sewing (Taunton Press) — published in 1998, still in print. The “definitive resource” — tons of good information, excellent presentation. One of my all-time favorites.

I would recommend this book. I have a small stack of men's shirt patterns, but I haven't made any of them yet so I can't really recommend any particular one. The one's I've made were from patterns pulled from existing shirts.

As for whether or not it's foolish, I certainly don't think so. I'd start with an inexpensive fabric and make a toile or two, figure out the fit and any alterations that may be needed, but I'd also suggest finishing them as practice. There are quite a few ways to turn collars and to attach them, so I'd make a few of those for the practice and to see what works for you. You'll probably also want to test the buttonholes and such on scrap fabric.

The way you finish the seams and small details and how much you press as you go will really determine the difference between looking professionally made and looking home made. If you can encase a seam or fell it, it'll almost always look and feel better than overlocking no matter what the pattern says. If you don't have one, buy a good iron.

Looks good! You mention that English is not your first language, but if you feel confident in tackling a book in English, this book on shirtmaking is a fantastic resource.

You're welcome. :-)

You will eventually need to learn some hand stitches, but I was talking about the machine. You can learn to control it by taking lined paper and sewing it without thread in the machine. Practice until you can do four pages of at least 25 lines perfectly. You will be using a medium stitch length most often, but you should be able to hit the lines at every stitch length.

When that's easy, do a Google search for some machine exercises that involve curves and points. A big part of sewing on a machine is learning how to stop and pivot at a corner. You stop with the needle down, lift the presser foot, and turn the fabric.

David Coffin's book Shirtmaking has some good sewing exercises.

Basic practice fabric is muslin. It's a cheap, woven fabric that's beige and come in a variety of weights. You would want a medium sewing weight. If you look for sales or buy it by the bolt you can get the price down to a couple dollars per yard. You also need it for practice garments. You will be tracing the pattern to the muslin, having someone pin it on you and the fabric will be marked to show the changes.

I buy my muslin from Steinlauf and Stoler in New York, but JoAnn's carries it.

This book, Shirtmaking, is how I learned to make my own shirts.

I started making all my husbands work shirts, and I have made upwards of a dozen. I'll be honest, if all you've made is a pillow case, making a dress shirt will be a real challenge. That doesn't mean you shouldn't take the plunge, but don't expect your first one to turn out great. (Or maybe even wearable.) You will certainly learn a lot, and I always think its better to make the things you want to make even if they challenge your skills.

The pattern I use is Kwik Sew 3422, but I think the Vogue one mentioned in another comment might be a better fit for you as it has darts. Make sure you look up tutorials for how to sew all the different components. I also like David Coffin's Shirtmaking book as a reference. One of the trickiest parts about sewing this kind of shirt is getting the interfacings right. Some of my earlier shirts no longer get worn because of the interfacing I used at the beginning. I use this one for the cuffs and collar, and this one for the yoke and button bands.

Good luck!

David Coffin is the man

David Page Coffin books are excellent as well.

Shirtmaking: Developing Skills For Fine Sewing https://www.amazon.com/dp/1561582646/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_K6QTSKE151G1KBJKDWP0

Here's a sew-along by a guy who used the Colette Patterns Negroni. In addition, look at his posts from last year when he took a menswear sewing class at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

http://malepatternboldness.blogspot.com/2011/01/mpb-mens-shirt-sew-along.html

http://malepatternboldness.blogspot.com/2014/01/menswear-sewing-at-fit-first-class.html

Mike Maldonado's site has good videos. Look at the free one on sewing the shirt placket.

http://www.mikemaldonado.com/cart4/

David Coffin's Shirtmaking is a good home sewer's book. I've heard some professionals criticize it, but I don't know what else is available. There's a DVD.

http://www.amazon.com/Shirtmaking-Developing-Skills-Fine-Sewing/dp/1561582646

Some suggested tools (I don't think a rotary cutter is necessary) http://malepatternboldness.blogspot.com/2011/01/14-shirtmaking-tools-you-wont-want-to.html

I don't recommend this if you lack experience, but there are many videos showing how to make a pattern from an existing shirt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRLCHj2mDFE

Also, I'm assuming you've seen this book? http://www.amazon.com/Shirtmaking-Developing-Skills-Fine-Sewing/dp/1561582646/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=IK71TVPT97LQV&colid=19HI58IWE9MFY