Alright, let’s talk about this “black and yellow polo” project I tackled. It all started with me staring at my closet, thinking, “Man, I need something… different.” I was tired of the same old plain tees and button-downs. So, a black and yellow polo popped into my head. Why? I don’t know, maybe I was craving a banana.
First things first, I hit the fabric store. Spent a good hour just touching and looking. Ended up grabbing a nice, breathable black pique knit. Felt good in my hands, knew it’d wear well. Finding the right yellow was trickier. I didn’t want anything too bright or garish. Finally settled on a mustard-y yellow, a bit more subdued, for the collar and cuffs.
Then came the pattern. I’m no expert, so I cheated a little. I took one of my existing polo shirts that fit well and basically traced it onto some pattern paper. Added a little extra seam allowance, just in case. Cut out the front, back, and sleeves. Easy peasy.
The sewing was where things got interesting. I started with the shoulder seams. Pinned them, then carefully stitched them together. Next up were the side seams, connecting the front and back panels. So far, so good. Looking like a shirt! Used my serger to finish the seams, keep ’em from fraying.
Now for the yellow bits. I cut out the collar pieces and the cuff pieces. Sewed the collar together, creating that classic polo collar shape. Attached it to the neckline, making sure it was even all around. Then, I tackled the cuffs. Rolled ’em, pressed ’em, and stitched ’em onto the sleeves. This part was a bit fiddly, but I got there in the end.
Buttons were next. I used black buttons to match the body of the polo. Marked the buttonholes, carefully cut them, and then sewed on the buttons. Made sure they were aligned properly, nobody wants a wonky button situation.
Finally, the hem. Just a simple turned-up hem, stitched all the way around. Gave it a good press with the iron. And that was it! My black and yellow polo was done.
The Verdict? I’m pretty happy with it! It’s not perfect, there are a few wonky stitches here and there, but hey, it’s handmade. It fits well, it’s comfortable, and it’s definitely different. Wore it out the other day and got a few compliments, which is always a nice bonus. Would I do it again? Yeah, probably. Maybe next time I’ll try a different color combo.
- Fabric: Black pique knit, mustard yellow knit
- Pattern: Self-drafted (traced from existing polo)
- Buttons: Black
Things I learned:
- Pique knit can be a little slippery to work with.
- Take your time with the collar, it’s the most important part.
- Don’t be afraid to cheat and trace an existing garment!
