Hello everyone! I’m Marte from Compagnie M. and I’m excited that I can share my flipped Charlie shirt with you today at Frances Suzanne! When Ashely & Emily asked me to become a competitor this season and to pick my favourite pattern from the list, my choice was easily made! Sharon, the founder of Zonen09 that drew the Charlie shirt, is a colleague pattern designer that I respect a lot! Her patterns are just perfect. I’ve sewn 3 of them so far and they’re great.

On the one hand I’ve chosen to make a very subtle flip. I didn’t want to change the original lines of the pattern too much as they are of course the main characteristics of the Charlie… Turning the shirt into a dress was one option, but that’s what I’ve already done with her Theo pattern. So I really wanted to try something different this time.

On the other hand, I wanted to turn the Charlie into a girl’s style pattern, since I only have 2 girls… So the idea of flipping it into a cache-coeur shirt was quickly made (before I even subscribed…)! I studied the original shape of the front collar very well and kept the original lines, but split it into two front parts.

I always wait to sew something until I have this a-ha moment where I find a fabric that matches a pattern perfectly! Eureka! When I saw this fabric at Pieke Wieke, my fingers started to tingle and in my mind the flipped Charlie was born. The unique thing about this fabric is that it’s different on the front & back side: I could combine small and wider stripes in one Charlie, just by using one piece of fabric. Since the Charlie is fully lined, I picked this blue one for finishing the inside!

I was a little bit in a hurry to finish my flip (have been ill), that’s why I’ve chosen orange thread (from my stock) for sewing the whole shirt. A challenge with this blue lining, but it has turned out perfectly. Also matching all the strips, was a nice challenge, but with enough pins and patience I’ve succeeded to match them all. These little things makes me so happy when I’ve finished a garment.

To accentuate the asymmetrical design, I’ve added 3 buttons at the front. Blue with orange thread. Again!

The pattern contains a short and long sleeve option but since my outer knit fabric was rather thick, I’ve chosen to add long sleeves and to keep this shirt for autumn! And I’m glad I did, because although I’ve sewn a 3Y for my 3,5YO girls, it’s still little bit too big. So by the time Lisa will wear her new Charlie, it will be perfect!

Lisa loves her new Charlie and I’m pretty sure that this will not be the last one I’m sewing!

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