Band Camp Shirt Ladies’ and Men’s
This project has been a rollercoaster (but not because of the patterns—those are solid!).
When Tami first announced these patterns, I was thrilled! The Ladies’ version feels like a perfect blend of Melody and Aria while the Men’s version is cool and versatile.
Before diving into my finished shirts, let me explain why I think of it as Melody and Aria’s love child. 😉
Melody is a dolman-style button-down and is super easy and quick to sew as far as button-downs go. It has a French placket (no separate pieces) and camp collar (no collar stand).
Aria, on the other hand, is a more classic button-down with a traditional front placket, collar, and a beautiful back yoke. It’s not difficult to sew, but if you’re feeling intimidated, LN offers a great course to guide you step-by-step.
The Band Camp shirt offers the best of both worlds. It includes the easy-to-sew French placket and camp collar from Melody, but adds set-in sleeves (short, long, or sleeveless), with options for a plain or back yoke. Plus, there are cool details like cargo-style pockets and roll-up tabs for the sleeves.
As far as difficulty goes, this one can be as easy/fast and as intricate as you want, depending on the options you choose.
Here’s where the rollercoaster part comes in 🙂
I had a lot of plans for this pattern release, but life threw a curveball my way. I faced some health issues that kept me from sewing as quickly as I had hoped. My blood pressure spiked, and after adjusting my medication, it dropped too low, leaving me quite out of sorts for a few days. Thankfully, things have since balanced out, and I’m back on track.
Despite these challenges, sewing these shirts turned into a rewarding journey. Each stitch felt like a small victory, and bit by bit I got there!
Don’t we look cute in our matching shirts? <3
I used linen-like fabrics for both shirts.
I got them at a homeware store and don’t have a lot of details on them. lol
For my version, I went with a sleeveless option in a loosely woven fabric with golden metallic threads, which adds a subtle touch of elegance. The simplicity of the design with no pockets or extra details makes it a versatile piece that I can dress up or down.
Between the week I had plus playing photo director with hubby (LOL) I dropped the ball with the photos and forgot to take side and back views.
But you can see the cute side slit on the clip below 😉
The pattern is very straightforward to sew and the instructions are perfect.
For this version, the only special techniques involved are: interfacing, sewing bias tape, and buttonholes.
The crisp lines make my little sewing heart swoon!
Now let’s take a look at the Mens pattern, shall we?
The basics are the same as the Ladies’ version but with the addition of a really fun colorblocking front option.
My husband isn’t the biggest fan of bells and whistles on his clothing (opposite attract, right?) so I kept his shirt simple.
Despite keeping it simple with short sleeves and a plain back, it doesn’t lack in style and it has quickly become a favorite in his wardrobe.
I’ll be honest with you—sewing for my husband isn’t my favorite thing. I tend to get carried away with ideas and fabrics when planning a project, but his preferences often don’t align with my “Ooooh this would look awesome on you!” lol. Plus, he’s quite particular about fit and has some sensory sensitivities when it comes to clothing.
Given that he has no trouble finding ready-to-wear clothes that fit him well, I usually stick to my selfish sewing 99.9% of the time!
But this pattern has been a delightful exception. The Band Camp has been a hit for both of us, and it’s definitely the best thing I’ve made for him so far.
It loos great on its own or layered over a t-shirt, and the sleeve tabs and side slits are chef’s kiss!
I’m thrilled with how these shirts turned out and excited to wear them. If you’re considering trying out this pattern, I highly recommend it. Whether you’re looking for something straightforward or with a few extra details, this pattern has got you covered.
BAND CAMP SHIRT
MEN’S BAND CAMP SHIRT
Ive been getting a ton of questions about the pants I’m wearing in these photos, it’s the Palazzo Pants from Pattern Emporium done in a heavy denim look knit
Here’s a blog post I wrote about true pattern
Happy sewing!
xxx, Livia.
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You guys are so cute!