Okay, here is my take on this project. I'll start off with the things I learned if I were to attempt this again.
1) I'd start off with white shirts. Having spent the amount of time in as many art classes as I have I should of known better. But it is a lot easier to darken a light color than it is to lighten a dark color. Everyone knows this, I could have used a reminder. RIT color remover only does so much when you follow the directions on the box exactly. I (or someone) will have to do it again and leave it in the pot a Lot longer.
2) I really need to practice my 'Precision Sewing'. Re-sewing existing seams after you've ripped them up to put a panel or epaulette in isn't quite as easy as it sounds, if you're trying to make it look like it always been there. I had such rotten luck that after I broke my ankle in January and I had copious amounts of sitting around time, I wound up sewing them all by hand. When I washed it the first time after the RIT lightening process, I noticed a couple of seams still ripping out because I didn't go back far enough with my re-sew.
3) I think it would have been easier to find a shirt pattern and start from scratch honestly, ant least with the seam integrity issue. With a well written men's fitted shirt pattern I think it would be simple to add the extras that make a dress shirt an Indy shirt.
Down to it. I found two 100% cotton shirts made out of the same type of twill material. Heavier than a dress shirt material. They were just under $2.00 a piece and the 'base' shirt was a 'safari' style with the pleated pockets and strap sleeve holder-uppers (no idea what they're actually called) that once removed and moved up on the shoulders made great epaulettes. Sadly they were not exactly the same color, which I didn't think would be a problem once the RIT color remover sufficiently lightened both shirts. HA! I didn't think of the factors of different company's, different dyes, different dye lots etcetera. As soon as I dropped it in the pot on the stove the shirt turned purplely pink and the panels turned a army green, ultimately accentuating the 'two-tone' effect. Though to be fair; it might be kind of a fun offering from an official shirt maker, the two-tone Indy shirt. Of course one might wind up looking like a security guard.
Anyway ;0
In closing I'll say, I'm glad my Todd's shirt is on the way
