Made-to-fit

The beauty of handmade clothing is that it is made one piece at a time.  One of the keys to creating clothing that will be well-loved is to ensure that it fits well.  five8ths clothing is made to order, and made to fit.  Making a shirt with a particular person in mind is so much more gratifying than working on standard sizes (for unknown people), because I know from experience how wonderful it's going to feel when that person puts on something that fits well.  When clothing hits just right in all the right places---it's that feeling of resonance like the perfect blending of two sounds...harmony.  And then that harmony might inspire a spring in the step or affect the way we move, and on and on.

A recent customer ordered a semi-custom Shacket, made-to-size for her friend who is thin and 6'3”. His chest/neck sizes corresponded well to a standard size, but he needed 37” sleeves and a longer waist-length to accommodate his height.

I cut the standard-sized pattern at the natural waist and added 2" there to accommodate his height

I added enough extra length to the sleeve pattern to create 37" sleeves

The finished semi-custom Shacket

Spring/Summer sneak peak

I just finished the first prototype for my spring/summer line, a linen long-sleeved henley--available at the beginning of March! 

...more pictures and info to come...

Special Order shirt

The Holiday Heap craft fair helped me learn a bit about my customers, and the aspects of my work that draw the most attention.  One man bought a Keyboard shirt, but was also attracted to a swatch of fabric that I was displaying as a made-to-order option for the Business with Pleasure shirt.  We discussed the design and decided on a standard men's shirt with contrasting facings--his enthusiasm increased throughout our discussion, and he returned to my table after looking at the rest of the fair and said the fabric was "haunting" him.  The fabric did the same thing to me when I saw it in South Africa--I sketched many designs with it in mind, and returned to the shop to buy more before leaving the country.  It was very exciting to find another person drawn to that fabric, because I always worry that my taste is too bold to be appealing to others.  On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised when so many shoppers were attracted to the muslin shirts that I made as sizing guides.  I didn't expect so many people to notice the subtle style details in these shirts, due to the solid, natural-colored fabric.  Since both of my assumptions were wrong, and customers liked both plain and bold fabrics, I feel free to move in both directions with my upcoming designs!

Wrapping the special order shirt

Ready for delivery

Etsy

Happy New Year!

Just a quick post to announce that five8ths shirts are now available on etsy!

There are three limited-edition Shackets, sized 38, 40, and 42.

The Keyboard shirt is available in sizes 38, 40 and one made-to-order, custom size.

More designs will be coming soon!