When I bought the Ottobre family edition magazine recently, I wanted to make all the things for Mark. I’ve already made the jacket, and now I’ve made him the shirt – the rather sweetly named “Four Fellows” shirt.
I made it from a gorgeous pure wool checked fabric that we bought in Hong Kong. Mark chose it because I managed to shrink his favourite wool shirt (now in my wardrobe), so promised him a replacement. Its first outing was for morning tea with some friends who have a holiday place near us, but I forgot to take any photos of Mark wearing it there, so these were taken back at our hideaway. 
I have always made Mark the Kwik Sew 3422 shirt, but have felt the need to update the style a bit, so when I saw this slightly more stylish shirt, I knew I wanted to make it for him. It is a little more fitted with darts in the back.
and there are various styles of pockets and cuffs. It also has the little triangle at the curve of the side seam, which I used to put in anyway. These chinos are next on the list for him.
I did the one piece cuff and the simple pocket with one corner cut off. Can you spot the side seam? I am rather pleased with the way it worked out.
Those pockets are exactly level but I managed to not get a photograph which showed this, the fronts may need a bit of a jiggle.
I did make a calico toile as I didn’t want to risk this fabric and I’m rather glad I did.
Of course Mark has deemed this shirt “too good” to be thrown away (or put into the new dog bed, which is what would have happened to it), so I added buttons and buttonholes and will watch with interest where he wears it – gardening I suspect! I may dye it with something interesting to make it look a bit less like a calico shirt. I think it’s too small, so for the final version I went up a size and lengthened the sleeves a bit. I was a bit concerned about matching the checks but they were actually a bit of a doddle. I got the first one lined up, activated the built-in walking foot on my machine and away I went. I didn’t even pin the seams. Of course, big checks are easier than small ones. 
I am in love with this particular magazine – my first foray into Ottobre (which I don’t know how to pronounce btw). The pattern was easy to trace and the Ottobre lab has tutorials on various elements should you need them. The instructions are sparse but totally sufficient, and I don’t think I did any unpicking, which is so unlike me. I’ve checked the shirt out with Tom and know what size and how many centimetres to add to the sleeve length (6cms!!) so I can now make him a few of these too.
A final shot of me wearing my “new” shirt out and about. I am enjoying it so much that Mark has accused me of deliberately shrinking it. Haha, um, maybe!
Great looking shirt, love the plaid. I have not made anything with my magazines. Rosemary
You should give these a go! I am so pleased with both of my makes so far.
Sneaky! But you both came out with a new shirt so things can’t be bad 😉.
I am feeling a little smug, although I was upset when I shrank the original.
Really? Honest injun?
I subscribed to Ottobre magazine months ago and have not received it. Need to contact them somehow. Disappointed.
Lovely shirts both. Deb, No. California
Oh, that’s a shame! I don’t have a subscription, I just found this one in the local newsagents and have been haunting them ever since!
I just love those big checks and the shirt is very stylish. I’ll have to check out Ottobre myself!
I like it better than Burda! Am I the only person in the world that feels like this?
He, he! Mark might be right about your hidden intentions! His *old* shirt looks so good on you it is rather suscipious! As for this magazine, I love it and find their patterns much easier to trace than Burda’s. Their designs have clean lines and the fit is generally spot on. I have made two or three things from and older issue. Funnily, I first thought that this was an Italian magazine (Ottobre meaning October) but I soon discovered that it was a Finnish company. Anyway, Mark’s new shirt looks simply perfect and comfy on him. Thumbs up for your checks matching, Sue!
brilliant work on the check matching. The shirt sounds delightfully warm and looks like a good fit on Mark. I like your ‘win’ with the shrunken shirt. BTW, where is that amazing looking (is it installation art)?
I bought that Family magazine too, mostly for patterns for my son as it’s so hard finding nice shaped clothing. I really want to make him some of the chinos too, but he is still in shorts despite the cooler weather. I may trace off that jacket now I’ve just looked at Mark’s wool one.
I really like the jacket and the shirt and am about to make them for my son. I think this is one of the most useful magazines I’ve ever bought!
Great looking shirt and the additional details are very smart. Now to see if I can find a copy at my newsagents.
Great looking, and great fitting! shirt and that plaid matching is spot-on!! I’ve only made women’s garments from the Ottobre’s Design Woman magazines and love their patterns. Agree the tracing is easier than Burda’s and the fit is usually perfect for me. My only problem with Ottobre is that they are not available locally anymore, and the 2 times I’ve ordered them, my credit card thought it was fraud and put a hold on my card. It was a big huge pain in the you-know-what both times to clear the credit card so right now I’m not purchasing anymore Ottobre. And boy is that hard as they have put out some really good designs recently!! Look forward to seeing what other Ottobre garments might be up your sleeve. 🙂