"But why should I sew for myself," you ask. "I can buy a shirt on line and have it at my door tomorrow, if I want to," you continue. "Besides, a shirt is a shirt, right?" you ask. • Ever buy a long sleeve shirt that fits perfectly, only to have the sleeves shrink after the first washing? • Ever buy a fitted shirt, only to discover that it is fitted inward where you are structured outward? • Ever buy a shirt with one of those sharp-cornered labels, which is sewn into the back of the collar with nylon fishing line that scratches your neck all day?

Why not buy quality shirting fabric and pre-shrink it before assembling your shirt, so the sleeves maintain their as-built length? Why not adjust or draft your shirt pattern so it fits your body, no matter what your shape? Why not make your own shirt and NOT sew one of those scratchy labels into the collar? You can do all of that and more.

"But a shirt is a shirt is a shirt," you say. "Women are lucky. They have so many styles from which to choose. Men have so few," you conclude. Making shirts is boring. My friend, I'm going to burst that bubble right now! How many shirt styles are there? Six? Twelve? Twenty? How many fabric choices do you have? Two? Four? Six? Here are a couple of lists to ponder:

Shirt Styles: Classic long sleeve dress shirts (white - solid color - plaid - striped) <> Plaid flannel shirts <> Spread collar pinpoint shirts with French cuffs <> Short sleeve dress shirts <> Tropical (Hawaiian-style) shirts <> Linen shirts for hot climates <> Western shirts <> Long-sleeved crew shirts <> Henley knit shirts, long and short sleeve <> Oxford button down shirts, long and short sleeve (plaid - striped - nailhead - solid) <> Rugby <> Polo <> Pullover knit <> Sweat shirts <> Rib knit sweater shirts <> Cotton sport shirt <> T-Shirts <> Football and Baseball Jersey shirts <> Golf shirts <> Tank tops <> Turtlenecks, classic and mock <> Shirt jackets <> Vests <> Work shirts

Shirt Fabrics: Cottons, including Egyptian, Combed, Twill, Pima, and Mercerized <> Cotton/Polyester <> Silk <> Flannel <> Fleece <> Microfibers <> Moisture wicking fabrics <> UV protection fabrics <> Leather <> Wool and wool blends <> Denim <> Poplin <> Sailcloth cotton canvas <> Linen <> Kevlar <> Alpaca <> Cashmere

Well, that's not a comprehensive list, but it should give you plenty to do in your retirement. We haven't even mentioned slacks and tailored suits. That's right, you don't have to be a tailor to make a tailored suit.

Of course, you are wondering if I'm going to teach you how to sew these things for yourself. The answer to that is "Yes and No", with emphasis on "Yes". As you go through my sewing lessons, which are all about making fashions for women, you will be learning sewing skills and techniques, many of which apply to garments for both genders. Where a method is different, such as the left or right orientation of a fly front zipper (yes, women use them too, for garment styling and easy closure) I'll indicate the differences when making the same feature for a man's garment.

Patterns for men are available, but I will be teaching you how to draft custom patterns on your computer, using the PatternMaster pattern drafting software by Wild Ginger Software. Wild Ginger has a stand alone program called Tailor Made, which can be used to draft patterns for men's shirts, jackets, slacks and other garments.

If you are serious about sewing for yourself, I highly recommend the book, "Shirtmaking: Developing Skills for Fine Sewing" by David Page Coffin, ISBN: 1561582646. I have found it on line for under $20 and it is well worth the price. David Coffin was an associate editor of "Threads" magazine for many years and his book is a great read, even if you have no intention of making a shirt.