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Hand-Stitched: A Classic 18th-Century Shirt
The basic building blocks of this kind of shirt are wonderfully simple—constructed entirely from squares and rectangles—so I took the opportunity to hand‑stitch the entire garment, just as it would have been made in the past. Working through this project taught me a variety of hand‑sewing techniques and deepened my understanding of historical garment construction. The shirt is made from cotton and finished with buttons at the sleeve cuffs.
A Shirt Never Out of Style
Until the early 20th century, the classic men’s shirt was considered an undergarment, worn to protect outer layers from the skin and to preserve the wearer’s modesty. The collared men’s undershirt has existed since at least the mid‑16th century, and it eventually became the foundation for the billowy‑sleeved blouses that remain beloved by women today. There’s truly nothing quite like a crisp white collared shirt—timeless, versatile, and rooted in centuries of practical design.