Shift Wars (What I learned -- No battle plan survives contact with the Enemy)

I'm nearly almost finished with my test shift. I started a shift out of cotton that I had laying around to test out a rectangular construction pattern from online. I have to finish getting the cuffs on (which are on backwards and I don't care :) It's going to end up a kitchen shift anyway) and hem the bottom.

Things I learned:

The rectangular construction pattern is pretty easy and would go real fast if I just sat down and did the entire thing instead of giving it 10 minutes here and there.

The online pattern is too big in the torso and not as long as I would like it. I'll make adjustments on the next one (take in the sides 1 or 2 inches, and add about 5 or 6 inches to the length). Also the sleeves aren't as full as I would like. (Add 3-4 (?) inches to the width)

Fingerloop braid in one color makes a nice tie for the opening in front (I added a collar and slit down the front).

Be careful how long the slit in the front is! Learn a better way for putting on a facing. Do the facing before sewing up the sides.

Don't forget to put the ties in the collar and cuffs before they are sewed up.

Try another one in cotton before doing one in linen.

Work front: Yeah, got some....gotta work on it.

Home front: Mostly sewed last night before jumping on CoH for a bit.

Book front: Still reading "The First Elizabeth". Trouble in the north, Mary Queen of Scots, Catholics getting feisty, Spaniards on the horizon.