Well, our ArtBarn team member Carol has hit another one out of the ballpark with her newest flannel creation, using ‘The Ellsworth’ a Merchant & Mills shirt pattern.

She chose Smith Flannel, gray with a charcoal black stripe, for the main body of the shirt and the left/under placket and used Watson Flannel, which is gray with a charcoal grid, for the cuffs, collar, right/upper placket and self-drafted patch pocket - then added just a touch of Alexander Black to bind the sleeve openings. The patch pockets, collar and collar stand all use the Watson check cut on the bias. Cuffs are Watson check cut on the straight grain.

Smith and Watson Flannels are 44” wide, not quite wide enough for this oversize pattern with only side seams. Carol solved this issue by adding the needed fabric to the lower edge of each sleeve. It is nearly invisible and a clever and easy solution.



The Ellsworth pattern line drawing with dotted lines showing where Carol added a seam about 4” above the cuff on the sleeve

You could choose to use this added seam as a design opportunity/element by cutting the added fabric on the crossgrain or the bias, then using a contrasting fabric or the same fabric as used in the cuff. Any of these solutions would work well. Just remember to add a seam allowance to any new seams you create. Because she prefers her shirts longer, Carol also added to the length of the shirt. The finished shirt measures 30” long from neck to hem in the back.

This chic. comfy, cozy shirt works well with slim black pants or jeans or leggings. On Carol’s design table is a matching striped wide legged self-drafted cropped pant which she plans to wear lounging at home. The flannel pants will also look great with a solid black top.

Mixing and matching. Combining and contrasting. Playing with fabric. I’m in!