Swapped to a softer fabric for my last 5 shirt patterns and it made a huge difference

I always used a stiff cotton poplin for button-ups because I thought it held shape better. But after a friend suggested a washed linen blend for a summer design, I tried it on a test run with 3 different collars. The drape looked way more natural and the shirts actually sold faster on my Etsy shop in Portland last month. Anyone else find a fabric swap that totally changed their approach?

2 comments

2 Comments

davis.mia28d ago

I mean I get it but stiff cottons are way easier to get a crisp collar out of. I tried linen blends and they just looked wrinkled and sloppy after an hour of wear, like I rolled out of bed. Maybe it works for some looks but I’ll stick with the structured stuff.

allen.william28d ago

Yeah you're not wrong @davis.mia, linen blends definitely get that rumpled look fast. But a light starch spray can help keep the collar sharper without going full dress shirt stiff.