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Made by a Fabricista: Spring is for Shirtdress

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I love shirt dresses! My pattern collection reflects this (I may or may not have eight shirt dress patterns) but somehow my closet does not. I have just two DIY shirt dresses (Mimi G's Katie dress and Simplicity 8546) and maybe two RTW versions. So it's high time that I added some to my wardrobe.


This polyester blouse weight twill by Milly has the perfect weight and drape for a relaxed shirt dress. If you prefer a more structured look, stick to a cotton shirting or light weight sateen. I loved this fabric and print so much that I grabbed both colorways. Unfortunately this fabric is sold out, but you can browse other shirtings and blouse weight fabrics here.


This fabric has a somewhat slinky feel, but isn't truly slippery. There's also a slight sheen without being shiny like a satin. It was easy to cut and sew, but I did get a few snags when pinning so make sure you use sharp pins and a fresh machine needle. I serged my pieces before assembling the pattern because as most twills it is also prone to fraying.


I chose to sew McCall's 8030 mainly because it's the newest shirt dress pattern in my collection. Also because it was a more relaxed style with dolman sleeves. In my opinion details like the sleeve cuff and collar would be lost due to the graphic nature of the print so I chose view B. I did change the hem because I love the shirttail hem of view A, but prefer the length of view B length. To make this modification I traced the curve of hemline the view A onto copy paper and then traced that curve to the hemline of view B.


I love sewing firsts and this is my first D ring belt! There's nothing difficult about it. It's basically constructed the same as any tie belt, but you need to interface and loop one end around two d-rings and stitch.

I am in love with the dress and so happy that I still have the yellow version to use for another project.  Can't wait to end social distancing so I have somewhere to wear it too. Stay safe! 



See you next month,

Tiffany of TipStitched
#stayhomeandsew

Comments

  1. Mariela AlethiaMarch 28, 2020 at 7:41 AM

    Very nice. Perfect combination of pattern and fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pat GottshalkMarch 28, 2020 at 9:19 AM

    Wonderful make.

    ReplyDelete
  3. JDMarch 28, 2020 at 11:33 AM

    Love your dress and the hem is just perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  4. RMarch 28, 2020 at 2:42 PM

    I liked this fabric when I saw it, and you did a bang up job using it to best advantage. Looks really great on you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TipStitchedMarch 31, 2020 at 10:05 PM

      Thank you. I was hoping it would turn out like I had envisioned.

      Delete
  5. UnknownMarch 29, 2020 at 12:30 PM

    I LOVE this dress and YOU! Thanks for sharing. I've written the pattern number and will definitely get it when the store opens back up. You look terrific in the dress and that gives me hope as a not skinny person.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TipStitchedMarch 31, 2020 at 10:06 PM

      Looser shirtdresses are great for everyone and the belt can help give you a waist.

      Delete
  6. MaricaApril 4, 2020 at 11:30 AM

    Beautiful! Love the print.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Arlene's BagsApril 14, 2020 at 8:41 AM

    Beautiful dress!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Elizabeth Made ThisApril 24, 2020 at 9:22 PM

    I saw this print, and I'm so glad to see it sewn up. It's super fun and perfect as this dress!

    ReplyDelete

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