contest winners and new site

hello everyone!

a lot of names were sent in by a lot of people and it was rather hard reading through 50-something e-mails, but my favorite ones were were Zeb's blue jay workwear, the workshop - suggested by Alex. Michael's a little more blue and kind of indigo by Jon. Thanks for the entries everyone, but only one person can win and the winner is:












ALEX!

why? it's simple, memorable, quick and most important of all - concise. congratulations Alex, you're getting a free shirt of your choice! to Zeb, Jon and Michael thanks for the entries and just so you guys won't go without anything, the 3 of you get a 15% discount on your next purchase!

so everyone, with a little tweaking from alex's entry, the new site will be theworkshopbysam.blogspot.com! bookmark, subscribe and make it your homepage now!

also, i'm changing my email address to sam.at.theworkshop@gmail.com.

thanks for reading everyone! check out the new site! it already has the new shirt!

sam
sam.at.samsworkshop@gmail.com

http://theworkshopbysam.blogspot.com/

legal problems

hi everyone. sorry for the delayed update, but something's come up. apparently the name 'bahaltha' has already been taken and now they're urging (read: forcing) me to change the name of the site. i can't post pictures of the shirt until i've changed the name of the site so that's the only real thing that's holding up the site.

so does anyone have any names they'd like to suggest? best one gets a free shirt of his or her choice! contact me via email or post it on the comments page.

sam
bahaltha@gmail.com

delays and measurements!

thanks to 'david' who requested the first official bahaltha customized piece. oddly enough, the first customized piece requested from bahaltha clothing (which on the top says custom made work shirts) was NOT a shirt. it was a slim fitting khaki trouser. 'david' ordered them last wednesday and i sent them out yesterday, so that means i just got to making the new shirt!

on the new shirt, i've decided to add a couple of more workwear-inspired features. i've already listed most of in my previous post but i'm adding a neck strap and a slight variation on the 1937 a.j. wenzel cuff. with deadstock buttons and black/charcoal-colored chambray from cone denim, this long sleeved chambray work shirt will run for US$180 at the most. expect the new shirt to be up sometime mid next week.

there has also been a slew of people asking me how to take measurements; which they should take - body or shirt measurements? how do they take those measurements? it's like this. if you have a shirt which fits you well or you simply like the fit of it then take those measurements. if you want a complete custom fit, take your body measurements. if you want a fit like james' shirt, i suggest you give me your body measurements. this is a site which gives you step by step pictures on how to take your own measurements, for both shirt and body.

if in the end you still don't trust your or your friend's measuring skills, i suggest you go to your friendly tailor and just ask them to take your body measurements.

thanks for reading and sorry for the delay on the work shirt!

sam
bahaltha@gmail.com

e-mails, requests and updates

over the past week, i've been getting a lot of e-mails from you guys. thanks! keep them coming, i like reading suggestions and comments from my readers.

a lot have been asking me about requests. one of the most asked questions is why i need a 50% downpayment even before i show a picture of the finished requested shirt. it's simple really. it's because i need a sign of trust or confirmation that you're actually going to get the shirt. let's say i make the shirt, put in the hours, use up the material, electricity etc. and in the end the one who requested it doesn't pick it up, i would essentially have just wasted my time, material and such. if you don't trust my end, the best i can do is - after they agree of course - give you some of my clients' e-mail addresses. all of them can vouch for me.

now about my next shirt. after my post in which i said i was open to ideas and suggestions, a lot of people requested for a work shirt. the people were practically split between denim and chambray, but most wanted a long sleeved shirt.

after some deliberation, i've decided that the shirt will:

• be made of a dark colored chambray
• be long sleeved
• be work wear inspired
• have a 1940's mountain-shaped cigarette pocket
• have a pencil/pen slot
• have subtle ventilation holes

stay tuned for the next shirt! thanks for reading!

sam
bahaltha@gmail.com

hickory stripe shirt review from 'james'

james was one of the 3 who got the hickory striped shirt and when he recieved it, he e-mailed informing me that he has received it.

the following is james' mail:

Hello Sam,

I got the shirt and thank you very much for the prompt delivery. I placed my order early morning of the 2oth and you replied shortly after lunch saying you would make it for me. FedEx contacted me on the 27th saying that the shirt was already here. However, I wasn't home and the quickest I could get it was yesterday, the 30th.

About the shirt - this is definitely the best fitting shirt I have. I'm 6'4, 190lbs and with my long arms, I have some trouble finding shirts, so I was very excited when I found your blog. When I gave you my measurements, you followed them exactly, down to the half-inches, and if fits excellent! The fabric you used is very nice. It's nice and thick (almost feels like a denim shirt) and is sure to keep me warm in the coming spring. The buttons you used are also very nice and sturdy.

I've attatched some images of the shirt for you to see how they fit me.

I'll be looking forward to your future shirts, Sam. It's been a breeze dealing with you.

Thanks!
James

here are the pics james attached:

thank you for the review, pictures and kind words, james. i hope you order from me again.

sam
bahaltha@gmail.com

*click to enlarge pictures

thank you!

thanks for all the e-mail orders, i had 2 orders within the 1st 5 hours of publishing my post! i've sent out 2 of the shirts as i had nothing else to do this week, so to all the ones i sent them to, you should be getting them sometime early next week. please send me your pictures of wearing them so i can add them to my portfolio :)

sorry to those who inquired but couldn't provide for, but please keep checking my blog for updates. if you tried to get a shirt once but weren't successful, i'll put you on top of the priority list for whichever you choose next.

some F.A.Q.'s answered.

if you posted a long sleeved shirt, can i order the same design, but short sleeved?

yes, of course! the price will also be lowered. the same gist if i post a short sleeved shirt, but consequently, the price will go up a little.

can i get something i personally designed or ask you to copy a shirt?

yes and yes. if you want a certain design, feel free to drop me a message and we can discuss it. however, if you're going to request a self-designed shirt, i'm going to need a down payment even before i start making the shirt.

what can we expect next?

i'm thinking of making a work shirt next, as the last shirt was more 'cowboy'. think cigarette pocket with a pencil/pen slot and maybe ventilated holes. i'm deciding between lightweight denim or a chambray as a fabric. long sleeved or short sleeved? what color? if you've got ideas, don't hesitate to post a comment or send me an email.

thanks for the support and i hope you'll like my next shirt!

sam
bahaltha@gmail.com

long sleeve hickory stripe shirt - 3 shirts only *updated 25/01/09*

DETAILS

fabric: washed hickory stripe cotton
collar: blind stitched kent collar
cuff: two button barrel
pockets: double chest, center button pocket
buttons: black vintage dead stock

USD 220
EUR 168.74
GBP 158.73
JPY 19589.9

FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE

UPDATE 25/01/09:
SOLD OUT!

sam
bahaltha@gmail.com

* click to enlarge pictures

** currency converted using google finance currency converter