19 Feb Finley Inspired Shirt
Happy Tuesday!
Maybe you’re a fan of Finley shirts like me. For me, one of the great pleasures of sewing lies in the ability to adapt and incorporate favorite RTW clothing details while leaving behind what doesn’t work. I bought a Finley shirt nearly 20 years ago not realizing it didn’t fit me properly until I returned to fashion sewing. (excess fabric in the back)
Finley’s ‘Rocky’ shirt inspired me to reach for a favorite shirt pattern and give it an update. Butterick 5526 is a pattern I’ve sewn on numerous occasions (last time blogged here).
The Rocky shirt is fitted with princess seams and sewn in a stretch cotton.
Since my fabric is a silk twill, I wanted the shirt to drape. View B allowed me to do just that with its minimal seaming and absence of bust darts.
For the 4″ ties, I cut two 10″ strips of fabric which were folded in half and sewn using a 1/2″ seam. Below is a ‘test’ piece I used to experiment with a rounded tie vs. a pointed tie.
I chose the pointed tie to echo the shape of the collar.
Sewing the ties into the side seams worked nicely since the fabric is lightweight………..
……. and I keep them loosely tied so the back drape is not affected and distorted.
Silk can be tricky, but for me, silk twill is manageable due to it’s texture. I found this twill at Britex last year, and bought it with a blouse in mind. The shirt was sewn with French seams and after looking at past Butterick 5526 projects, I trimmed 1/2″ off of the collar width.
Since I rarely tuck shirts in, I think the ties give the shirt a clean finished look, and it’s a project I’m sewing again – next time in a cotton fitted with princess seams. 
PS…… the knockoff Valentino Rockstud shoes are from Lulu’s for a whopping $22 😊
Have a good one!
Karen Helm
Posted at 07:42h, 19 FebruaryThis is a great look, Sarah! The fabric is perfect for your adaptation of the pattern; the ties are beautifully executed. One question – how long did you make the ties? Happy Tuesday, indeed!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:47h, 19 FebruaryThanks so much, Karen. I am away from home without a measuring tape😂, but I cut them extra long, found a comfortable length after tying the knot, and adjusted accordingly. Since they are silk, I thought a slightly longer length would work nicely. I’m sure I will go with a shorter length when I make it in cotton.
Nicki
Posted at 07:57h, 19 FebruaryI like yours more than the white inspiration shirt! It looks great on you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:02h, 19 FebruaryThank you, Nicki! In my option the inspiration shirt looks a little large in the shoulders 😉
Pattie Giordani
Posted at 08:17h, 19 FebruaryAnd large in the price! Wowza. You have mad skills—your work is impeccable!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:33h, 19 FebruaryMany thanks for your comment, Pattie 😉 I keep trying – you noticed the price and it’s hard to justify this type of purchase when I can sew and get a better fit as well!
Mollie Bobo
Posted at 08:24h, 19 FebruaryA really good looking shirt!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:34h, 19 FebruaryThanks so much, Mollie!
peggy leah
Posted at 08:37h, 19 FebruaryFabulous shirt. I love those expensive Finley’s too! silk twill is
a lot easier to work with if I remember correctly. The gray
check looks elegant and expensive. A truly great look for you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:15h, 19 FebruaryMany thanks, Peggy 😉 Silk twill has just enough texture & weight to be easier to handle than others.
Kathleen
Posted at 08:47h, 19 FebruaryAwesome look.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:15h, 19 FebruaryThank you, Kathleen!
Sharon R Killian
Posted at 08:55h, 19 FebruaryBeautiful, Sarah! Think I need to make one, or several, of these!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:17h, 19 FebruaryGo for it, Sharon…… I hope you make several!
Renée
Posted at 09:46h, 19 FebruaryThis is a very elegant look that could go anywhere. I like your version better than
the “Rocky” on the Finley site. This will be added to my sewing wish list!
Thanks for another great look Sarah!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:18h, 19 FebruaryMany thanks, Renee! I love that sewists can choose to leave out what doesn’t work for our style 😉
Talk Landeau
Posted at 09:59h, 19 FebruaryWhat an elegant shirt. It looks fantastic on you. You’re such an inspiration to me. I love your blog. Thank you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:19h, 19 FebruaryAhh….. many thanks Talk Landeau 🤗🤗
Kathy T
Posted at 10:06h, 19 FebruaryAbsolutely beautiful, refined and elegant. Perfect fabric choice and fit. Happy to receive your posts for inspiration for my future sewing projects.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:20h, 19 FebruaryThank you so much Kathy for being a Goodbye Valentino reader! We’re all in it together 😉
Mari-Liis
Posted at 10:27h, 19 FebruaryThis is beautiful!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:20h, 19 FebruaryThank you, Mari-Liis!
LuLu Thomas
Posted at 11:07h, 19 FebruaryYou have created an undeniable beautiful blouse. You are such an inspiration to me. My sewing skills are no where close to you, but I can always dream! Thank you for sharing. One question, if you do not mind……I was unaware of lulu’s wed site. Do you know if their shoes come in narrow width?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:24h, 19 FebruaryThank you, Lulu! Not only can you dream but you can do it! Start with easy to work with fabric and follow the instructions – practice makes perfect…… I have no idea about the shoe width 😉
LuLu Thomas
Posted at 19:40h, 19 FebruaryThank you for answering my question and especially for the encouragement of my sewing. I am trying to do easy patterns, but I seem to pick out the wrong fabric. I find fabric to be a real challenge. I will keep trying and I have high hopes for the future! Thank you again, LuLu
Lisa Milam
Posted at 11:53h, 19 FebruaryYour top is lovely. I love that you adapted a favorite pattern to mimic a RTW top. I am very interested in the pants you are wearing. I like the seaming and the fabric very much. Did you make them? If so, what is the pattern and the fabric? Thanks!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:25h, 19 FebruaryMany thanks, Lisa. The pants are one of those rare finds. They are Derek Lam leather jeans that I found at 90% off at a store going out of business. A once in a lifetime bargain for sure😉
Lisa C in Dallas
Posted at 12:41h, 19 FebruaryA stylist once showed me a Finley shirt. It was gorgeous and fit beautifully but I could not justify the price. I’m so glad you were able to create your own version. Very elegant!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:27h, 19 FebruaryMany thanks, Lisa! I’m loving the result and plan to try other styles 😉
Rosalind Clayton
Posted at 13:49h, 19 FebruaryLOVE this Sarah, thanks for the idea! I’ll incorporate it into my next blouse make!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:27h, 19 FebruaryIt’s easy to do and I hope you will! Many thanks for the comment, Rosalind 😉
Marianne Johansson
Posted at 14:11h, 19 FebruaryVery nice blouse 👚 sweet ❤️
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:28h, 19 FebruaryThank you, Marianne!
Karen Festa
Posted at 15:10h, 19 FebruaryIts wonderful. Question did you insert the side ties into the princess seams or the side seams? Thank you .
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:29h, 19 FebruaryKaren, I did not sew princess seams in this blouse so the ties were inserted into the side seams.
tw
Posted at 15:32h, 19 FebruaryYour work and the final garment are stunning. The fit is sweet and perfect. Love this!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:30h, 19 FebruaryMany thanks, TW – it’s always a thrill when a garment turns out better than you expect it too 😊
Maryellensews
Posted at 19:42h, 19 FebruaryAnother fabulous job Sarah ! You always know how to take a garment up several levels . A blouse has been on my list for awhile as well as Chanel Jacket, pants, coat…
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:52h, 19 FebruaryThank you, Mary Ellen! My list never stops………….. 😉
Barbara Kane
Posted at 20:44h, 19 FebruaryLovely shirt Sarah. Would the ties work tied at the back also?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:53h, 19 FebruaryMany thanks, Barbara! These ties are a little too long to tie in the back.
Theresa Moore
Posted at 21:08h, 19 FebruaryBeautiful and flattering blouse. I learn something new from each of your posts. Thank you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:53h, 19 FebruaryThank you so much, Theresa! I also learn something with each project I embrace 😉
Vanessa Thomas
Posted at 11:06h, 20 FebruaryBeautiful shirt!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 13:09h, 20 FebruaryThank you, Vanessa!
Denise Dooley
Posted at 20:24h, 20 FebruaryI saw a Calvin Klein shirtdress today very similar to your blouse, with the ties. What makes a great shirt can also make a great shirtdress..
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:26h, 20 FebruarySo true, Denise! Do you plan to make the shirtdress?
Kathleen
Posted at 10:26h, 24 FebruaryLOVE the top! You sew beautifully and are an inspiration to me. I hope you post about the next version you make too. P.S. Can’t wait for your next book! The Tunic Bible was a good quality book with great information, pressure to repeat. 😉
lauren Loughlin
Posted at 09:26h, 25 FebruaryYour blouse came out lovely. Such a nice outfit!
Ember Flack
Posted at 20:48h, 25 FebruarySarah,
Happy to see you doing so well. Did you cut your shirt on the bias?
dorothy scales
Posted at 00:04h, 29 MarchI LOVE your blouse and that fabric is absolutely amazing! I love your sense of style and your outfits are always so pretty!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 16:53h, 18 AprilThank you so much, Dorothy!