Testing Bernadette Banner’s pirate shirt pattern || Honest pattern review
# Sewing a Pirate Shirt: A Pattern Test Review
## Introduction
It has been quite a long time without sewing and I just had to get my hands on some fabric. I have been sewing quite feminine clothing for the past year even though I don’t necessarily wear this type of clothing anymore. That’s why this time I reached for something more stereotypically masculine. Can you guess what it’s gonna be? Oh… wait… you’ve seen the thumbnail of course you know what it’s gonna be. It’s pirate shirt time! Who would have known that I’m ACTUALLY gonna make the clothing from the “designing my new wardrobe” video.
## Pattern Test Experience
I thought just simply making an 18th century men’s shirt would be rather boring though. I think we all have seen Bernadette Banner’s pirate shirt video and let me tell you the pattern from that video doesn’t exactly have a great name, especially because it’s been advertised as a “beginner sewing project”. In fact so many people have problems with following it I have decided to test it myself. Because this is a pattern test I decided to not alter the pattern in any way no matter how bad the fit may be and let me tell you I’m gonna regret this decision quite a few times throughout the process.
Before I go into it I just want to say that any criticism of this pattern I have isn’t about Bernadette’s preferred sewing methods. Sewing is a hobby and everyone enjoys doing it a bit differently and that is perfectly okay. My criticism here is based mostly on how the shirt was recommended to beginner sewists and how it failed to actually accommodate their skills. I also know Bernadette says her videos are not tutorials, but if you give a pattern in the video and encourage people to use it I feel like there is a bit more pressure to actually explain what you’re doing in more detail and show the whole process.
## Sewing Process
I’ve cut out all the pieces following the pattern’s measurements and added a 1 cm seam allowance. At first I wanted to follow Bernadette’s process as closely as I can and do the whole thread pulling thing but I gave up on that pretty quickly. Bernadette suggests that this method is “easier on the eyes” but it’s not, at least not for me. In fact I had to get new glasses since making this shirt. Okay maybe I already needed new glasses but still. Anyways I just simply cut the fabric.
Just like Bernadette I’m gonna begin with something simple in fear of sleeves and that will be getting the cuffs and collar ready for later. I decided to sew all long seams by machine as I have school to attend to while I’m sewing all of this. Well let’s face the, hopefully, hardest part of this project, the gussets. I must say, this is probably the part most people start to get frustrated with, including me. You don’t really get the measurements of the gussets.
## Conclusion
In conclusion, sewing a pirate shirt based on Bernadette Banner’s video pattern test was a challenging experience. While the end result may not have been perfect, the process of following the pattern provided valuable insights into beginner sewing projects and the importance of clear instructions. Despite some frustrations with certain aspects of the pattern, the final product was a testament to perseverance and creativity in the world of sewing.
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