This is the same pattern as in my previous post, but this time with twist. The fabric is one of those tech hiking fabrics, supposedly with moisture management and UV protection, that I see so often in RTW hiking shirts. It’s been in my stash for ages and I’ve always had plans to use it make a hiking shirt with all the bells and whistles.

The photo below is a tech drawing that I did last year and is fairly close to what I was after. The main shape and front pockets are based on the Knipmode pattern, but with the back yoke modified to include a mesh panel and venting. I think the yoke was based on a Columbia shirt.

I was a bit concerned about the fabric being too hot for our conditions and more like wearing a plastic bag. Just in case, I decided to make the back vent a lot bigger and to add a vent into the armpit.

The back yoke is extended down to the middle of the back. The inner yoke is made from a sports mesh and joins onto the back piece. For the back flap, I’ve extended the yoke pattern down for a 1″ overlap and shaped it into a gentle V. It also has a facing that finishes 1″ above the top edge of the mesh.

The armpit gusset/vent idea was pilfered from one of DH’s shirts. It is basically a rectangle stitched into the side seam, extending 2-3″ above and below the armhole. I say “basically” very loosely, because it was a bit harder to stitch in that I thought. It closes with a fabric loop and small button.

The only other modification was to change the shape of the hem to me more shirt-tail in shape.

A lot is said about how great these tech fabrics are, but I tend to find that don’t breathe as well as natural fibres and are usually too hot and sweaty to wear. I’m also a little dubious about the SPF rating as the shirt is slightly see-thru. I’m hoping to be proved wrong with this shirt, but I have my reservations. With a long hot summer predicted, I’ll certainly get a change to try it out.

 

At a Glance:

 

Pattern	Knipmode #6 August 2012
Fabric	Moisture control, sunblock tech shirting
Difficulty	4/5 – the shirt is relatively easy to put together.  Vents add time  and the pocket  the construction is a little different to the normal
End Result	?/5 –  Jury is still out on the fabric but I like the design changes
Cost	AU$40 ( mostly in shipping charges).