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Updated 22/8/2022. I have another men’s shirts sewn from McCalls M6044 in a fabulous watermelons poplin cotton that I bought from Etsy. Mens sewing can be such a challenging task, especially when one is used to sewing for oneself! Hence why I am so excited about sharing this McCalls M6044 pattern review. The shirt I sewed for my husband.
McCalls M6044 Watermelons Shirt
McCalls M6044 Video Sewing Tutorial
I was nervous about making him a shirt but his hints were getting harder to ignore. Given how much he helps me with fitting and taking pictures I felt I must try.
Read: Six more McCalls M6044 Shirts – From Star Wars to Tropical Dragons
Fabric selection
The first issue was fabric. I didn’t see the point in working on a shirt before he had chosen a fabric. When he saw my Butterick B5984 birdy top fabric he loved it so that was that. He used to be a drummer in a rock band so its no surprise that he chose such fabulous fabric for his first me made shirt. The fabric is an Alexander Henry print called La Paloma. AT 100% cotton it is a fun fabric to sew with.
Adjustments to toile
I made a toile of McCalls M6044 – a versatile men’s shirt pattern. I had to reduce arm length by 1.5″ and took in the side seams about an inch.
I managed to squeeze this shirt out of 1.5m of fabric hence the dodgy upside down birds on the button band.
Sleeve issue
Though I like the 2 piece sleeve it does not have a tower placket ~(will make one next time). The sleeves are flat constructed so this is a quick make plus its very easy to flat fell the armhole. I used flat felled seams thought out even on the sleeves😃😁. I cant say again how much I love flat felled seams on shirts now.
Pictures…not as good as usual fare since I was behind the camera. Still……
He loves it and couldn’t wait to wear it to work. They have dress down Fridays and he won The Most Awesome Shirt award for this shirt!
Verdict – The Best Mens Shirt Sewing Pattern is McCalls M6044!
From my perspective he wore it and I uncovered another undisputed fact: “You look damn good, lover.“
“It also happens to be extremely comfortable.” came the reply.
So yes I will be making him more. Its a great shirt pattern that is easy to make.
I have since made a wickedly quirky storm trooper Star Wars one here.
I am happy with my selfless sewing. Have you done any selfless sewing recently?
oldschoolsewing
February 5, 2016 12:20 amBeautiful shirt. He looks so comfy in it, great job. Now I should go do some selfless sewing too. Happy creating!
Hila
February 5, 2016 9:14 amThank you! Selfless sewing felt good for me and hopefully I will do more too😃
Thimberlina
February 5, 2016 12:31 amAce shirt and ace photos!! Certainly made me smile and distracted me from my hubby’s snoring! Especially his jump shot! You’re finishing techniques make it even better than RTW , it’s my turn to be in awe! 😀
Hila
February 5, 2016 9:13 amThanks Ali! I am glad he loves it. He says he gets so many compliments about the shirt that its going to be hard to top that one. X
laurajane
February 5, 2016 12:31 amGreat detail work! And what fabulous fabric! How cool that he can wear it to work. I’m new to following you but I couldn’t help but notice at the bottom of my screen a pic of you in the same fabric — ! I love that! Your birdy top is excellent. I made a shirt for my husband a year+ ago – Vogue 8800 – a short sleeve summer thing. It’s time to do it again! Thanks for the reminder!!
Hila
February 5, 2016 9:12 amThanks LauraJane! He saw thae fabric when he was taking pics of my top. I will check out Vogue 8800, i heard Vogue does great mens shirts.
~A
February 5, 2016 12:42 amHey there, Mrs. Hila~!
I love how happy your husband looks in his shirt! You did wonderfully on all those details- excellent job overall! I made my father a shirt late 2015, out of some stretched flannel that was given to me. Ever since then my ‘selfless sewing’ work load has multiplied a great deal! I enjoy it though {There’s something about men’s wear that just pleases me…}
I’ve heard from other shirt makers that the McCall’s M6044 pattern doesn’t have A yoke. Does your husband mind?
Blessings~!
~A
Hila
February 5, 2016 9:10 amThanks ~A. The pattern has a version with a yoke as well. I didnt make that one since i didnt have enough fabric. My hubs doesnt mind at all that it doesnt have a yoke.
CurlsnSkirls
February 5, 2016 1:39 amLove it! Great fabric & you did a fab job with it, as did he with piccie poses. Big smiles reading this post. 😀
Most of my sewing is selfish, which is nice, but sometimes it might be nice to practice on a different body. 😉
Hila
February 5, 2016 9:09 amThank you! It was nice fitting someone else and a lot easier too😃
RED
February 5, 2016 2:22 amI love how animated your husband is for the camera! And he’s totally rocking that fabulous shirt you made. 🙂 I tried making my husband a sweatshirt a couple of weeks ago, but it came out too short, so now it’s mine. I swear I didn’t plan it that way!!
Hila
February 5, 2016 9:08 amHa! Lol! I expect your hubs is on to you but just loves you too much😂. Its the thought that counts though.
lisa g
February 5, 2016 2:39 amMost epic mens shirt ever! So great, it clearly suits him. Nice job!
Hila
February 5, 2016 9:06 amThanks Lisa! Could I make him one even more epic-er? Wait and see😂
Eileensews
February 5, 2016 3:58 amHe looks fantastic! Great shirt!!
Hila
February 5, 2016 9:06 amThank you!
Kathryn
February 5, 2016 8:21 amThis is just the best fabric ever! It works so well as a shirt and your husband looks so happy with it. My husband keeps asking me to sew for him, I think I’ll really need to give it a go soon!
Hila
February 5, 2016 9:05 amThanks Kathryn. You should go for it. Our long suffering husbands deserve it for understanding our obsession with sewing😃. This particular pattern is so fast to make up.
lovelucie1
February 5, 2016 12:01 pmIt’s fabulous! I dare to to go out in the same fabric. And the kids as well, of course. You could be the new Von Trapps
Hila
February 5, 2016 12:53 pmLol😂. Thats a challenge I will put to the hubs and get back to you!
T
February 5, 2016 2:41 pmSuch an awesome shirt – I’ve made a few of this pattern for my bloke (and my dad) and it always comes up trumps! Love, love the print too (I’m a sucker for a bird print).
Hila
February 11, 2016 6:48 pmBird print rocks! When you have made it again have you changed the placket?
thetelltaletasha
February 5, 2016 3:32 pmBeautifully constructed. And idk what you’re talking about but the pictures look GREAT
Hila
February 11, 2016 6:47 pmThanks hun!
amcclure2014
February 5, 2016 5:11 pmFabulous!
Hila
February 11, 2016 6:46 pmThank you!
EmilyAnn Frances
February 5, 2016 5:58 pmHi there, Hila! Belated New Year greetings. May it be a good one for all of you. I love this groovy shirt. The print is 1960s-early 1970s in feeling. Your shirtmaking skills keep getting better. Nice job with the seams and top stitching.
Hila
February 11, 2016 6:46 pmHappy New Year to you too EmilyAnn! Thanks for the lovely comments especially on my improved sewing. I am enjoying shirtmaking so very much.
Chris
February 5, 2016 8:51 pmhubbie is a cutie and looks like a fun guy, especially wearing that great shirt!
Hila
February 11, 2016 6:44 pmThanks Chris!
navybluethreads
February 5, 2016 8:58 pmOh, I don’t know, think he could carry off a jumpsuit pretty well 😉
This looks fab on him and a lovely, cheerful bit of colour for these drab days. Great job with your usual attention to detail.
Hila
February 11, 2016 6:44 pmLol! I am worried if I proposed a jumpsuit he might actually go for it! He is crazy goofy like that😃
tomatoesandjasmine
February 5, 2016 10:34 pmGreat work! it really shows in the photos how much your husband loves his shirt:-)
Hila
February 11, 2016 6:43 pmHe does indeed! I didnt expect the level of satisfaction I get from seeing him wearing to work😃. Makes me feel like a grown up tailor.
Sewingsu
February 5, 2016 10:49 pmFabulous shirt, and you can see how much he loves from the pictures!!!!
Hila
February 11, 2016 6:42 pmHe does indeed! I didnt expect the level of satisfaction I get from seeing him wearing to work😃. Makes me feel like a grown up tailor.
justsewtherapeutic
February 6, 2016 1:11 amSuch a great fabric choice and a perfectly unique shirt! I’m a completely selfish sew-er and have managed to develop a quite convincing list of reasons why I can’t make the other half one. I’m torn now because I really want to show him a picture of your husbands but it’s likely he’ll realise all my excuses are poppycock!😉
Hila
February 11, 2016 6:41 pmLol! I am sure when you get round to it you will make him some amazing shirts😃.
Linda of Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!
February 6, 2016 2:56 amNice work! Every detail from the fabric choice to fitting is lovely. Glad he is so happy with it!
Hila
February 11, 2016 6:40 pmThanks Linda!
themateriallady
February 6, 2016 12:40 pmGreat shirt – and I just know he is going to be asking for more!
Hila
February 11, 2016 6:39 pmHe already is! I even caught him looking at fabric shops online!
springystitches
February 7, 2016 1:36 pmLove this so much – and he clearly does too! I must dip my toe in the shirt making process soon as every time I see one of yours I’m inspired! 🙂
Hila
February 11, 2016 6:39 pmThank you! Given your very high standard of sewing I think your shirts will be amazingly well made. Looking forward to seeing them😃
Sew, Jean Margaret
February 11, 2016 9:03 amAwesome shirt. I wish I could get my hubby to wear such a great print.
Hila
February 11, 2016 6:10 pmThank you!😘
thesewingjourneycom
June 14, 2017 5:21 pmI love the shirt. So cool that he choose that fabric. I know the feeling. My DH is always asking me to make him something. So far I have made him two vests, but nothing else. Now he wants a T-Shirt, so we are trying to find the right fabric for that. I am always so nervous making his clothes. I know my body shape well, but his is harder to figure out.
You did an awesome job on the shirt, I like it!!
Hila
July 5, 2017 10:51 amThank you so much for your lovely comment. The nice thing about OHs is that they love whatever we make for them! Have fun! xxx
Babra
January 9, 2019 3:30 pmHi… can u plz guide how ya stitched the sleeves? My sleeve n shirt notches are not matching
William
July 15, 2024 4:27 pmHello Hila.
I have watched your red stag fabric video (mant times) for this pattern and you have been soooo helpful to me, as a novice sewer. I followed the McCalls pattern guide but your video is a much better version of how to successfully make this shirt.
This is my first shirt and it’s turned out not too bad.
Thanks to you, I now have the confidence to make several more, with the fabric I had stashed away.
Hila
August 24, 2024 2:52 pmThank you! I’m so glad you found it useful!