Balthazar by Citronille is definitely the pattern I have sewn most in my (reasonably short) seamstress’s life. At a pace of 5 shirts every summer for each of my little boys, plus a few presents here and there, I must have sewn between 20 and 30…

With such a promising name (those who know me will understand), Balthazar and I were meant for each other! I always sew the same model:

• in a very light shirting cotton  – discounted designer fabric is best  – either from Croftmill or Fabrics Galore. I strongly advise you avoid cotton voile though, far too delicate;

• with 3/4 sleeves, to protect my boys from the sun without keeping them too warm;
• one size ahead (size 10 for my 8 year-old, 8 ans, size 8 for my 6 year-old);
• and importantly I refuse to buy tee-shirts, this way they have no choice… bad mum…

I add attractive buttons to please my clients, a mummy-made label to convince them that I was definitely the one spending all this time for them, and also their name sticker inside so that the shirts end-up in the right cupboard… and on the right child…

And I never get bored of them wearing the shirts!

After my discovery of the Balthazar shirt by Citronille for my little boys (which I praise in  this article),  I felt an uncontrollable urge to sew something similar for their daddy ! It actually took quite a while to find the right pattern…

After a long seach, what looked most similar to Balthazar was this Burda pattern – I know, it requires quite a lot of imagination!!!

But cutting the front piece on the fold, ignoring the front slot and facing and replacing all that by a button placket did the trick! As I sew more versions, I also lenghtened the bottom to be able to draw a soft curve “à la Balthazar”; and I made the cut slightly more adjusted by curving the sides. Oh God does it make sense at all???

By now you will have understood that I in no way did follow the Burda instructions – after about 30 Balthazar versions I knew my way! And for sizing absolute guesswork (I think I chose the second smallest size for an M) as no way to find the men’s sizing chart anywhere…

Thankfully after all this work I have fully optimised this pattern. I have sewn a number of versions already for this summer; and knowing myself, I am sure many more will follow…