This was definitely a learning experience for me. I love the pattern and I’m happy with the way it turned out even though there were a couple mishaps! For starters, and I just have to laugh at myself for this, the arms are on backwards. You can’t really tell when I’m wearing it, but the elbow dart is in the front instead of the back - who knew? I thought that dart was supposed to help the sleeve bend forward. So I learned to carefully study all the pictures (the only one that showed this, and illustrations are very important to the newbie, was a drawing of the back of the finished shirt on the back side of the pattern package).
The other mishap was not so funny. I had just finished diligently finishing all my seams (thank you for the advice Barbara - they were fraying almost faster than I could zig zag them up!) when I noticed that I had accidentally sliced a great big “V” in the back near the side seam. It’s not that visible since it’s under my arm, but jeez, that was a drag.
On to the next thing… 
April 29th, 2003 at 12:48 pm
the neckline and the sleeve length on that shirt are fantastic — well done! you were very courageous to work with linen, too. Obviously… you work well with setbacks… that repair on the accidental snip looks fantastic
April 29th, 2003 at 12:50 pm
Thanks, Shetha, yes I was okay after the swearing…
April 29th, 2003 at 1:35 pm
Good Job! And the sleeve dart thing- you just call that a "design variation" and tell everyone that of COURSE you did it on purpose:-). And all of us have done the snip thing at some point. It makes for more opportunities for "design variations"…
Give me a day to recover and I will put up some pictures if the score from the NYC garment district- silk, reversible wool, rayons, yum, yum!
April 29th, 2003 at 10:59 pm
wow, i may just have to dig out my sewing machine and oil the puppy up! I am impressed! Great job…
April 30th, 2003 at 2:19 pm
THAT is your FIRST sewing project? Wow! It’s very impressive. You should be proud.
April 30th, 2003 at 5:46 pm
hey jamie! the shirt looks fantastic on you. i like that style with the open neck. alas, i have not worked on my current sewing project, a jacket, since cutting out the pieces months ago. maybe seeing your fo will motivate me to get on it! see ya soon…
April 30th, 2003 at 10:27 pm
Fabby shirt Jamie!!!I can’t believe its your first sewing project. Great job! I wanted to throw an offer out to you and anyone else that reads your blog. I got an extra Rowan Kid Soft Collection pattern book from an ebay auction I won. If anyone is interested in it, send me an email.
May 5th, 2003 at 10:07 pm
Wow, awesome! What a pattern to pick out for your first project. I am way impressed. You’ve inspired me to finish my first project.
May 5th, 2003 at 11:19 pm
Thank you! This was from Kwik Sew 2966 (view A). Very easy to follow instructions.