Summer has arrived! That means longer days, soaring temps, and the perfect excuse for me to add another linen garment to my wardrobe. Lightweight linen and summer weather just go together, don’t you agree? That’s why I choose this striped linen for my next Fabricista make.
Hello Sewing Friends! It’s Sharon from Sharon Sews ready to share my summer dress with you. The tiny blue and white stripes combined with navy buttons give it a bit of coastal charm, while the details make it anything but a traditional shirt dress.
The fabric is a Ralph Lauren 100% shirt weight linen. The stripes are so small that from a distance the fabric almost looks like a solid color. One advantage of those small stripes is that I didn’t worry about whether they matched as I would have with a wider stripe :-)
The pattern I choose is McCall’s 8556, a shirtdress that, instead of a typical straight silhouette, has a gathered bodice, a fitted waistband that sits just above the waist, short, cuffed sleeves with buttoned table, and a beautifully full skirt complete with inseam pockets. Were you aware this design is based on a silk taffeta designer dress that retailed for $3400? I’m so glad I know how to sew as I was able to create a designer-inspired dress, fitted to my body, in a fabric of my choice, for a fraction of the cost!
Fabric recommendations include cotton shirtings and linen blends so I knew this shirt weight line would work great. I had sewed this dress previously using a sateen shirting, so that’s another fabric option for you, and I know Fabric Mart usually carries a variety of sateens.
Because there are so many gathers in this dress, make sure your fabric choice is fairly lightweight. This striped fabric is slightly see-through, even with all the gathers in the skirt, so I do wear a slip underneath.
For interfacing I used Palmer/Pletsch Perfect Fuse Medium. It is a rayon/poly fusible weft interfacing that provides the structure needed for the collar, cuffs, waistband and dress front. This interfacing needs to preshrink, due to the rayon fiber. The package includes instructions on how to do that.
I didn’t have any topstitching thread on hand and debated about eliminating that detail. But I think with this fabric the topstitching adds to that coastal charm. I did have on hand a blue variegated cotton thread, and I think it complements the navy buttons well.
Keep in mind if you sew this dress that the neckline is really low! I tried wearing a cami underneath, but I’m going to add another button and buttonhole, so I’ll feel more comfortable when I wear this.
The designer linen fabric resulted in a cute breezy dress that is perfect for looking polished while remaining comfortable on hot summer days.
If you’ve enjoyed my Fabricista posts, come find me on YouTube and Instagram for even more sewing fun and inspiration.
Until next time, Happy Sewing!
It's so perfect! One of those amazing pairings of fabric and pattern that makes the result 100 times better. Thanks for sharing your tips as well.
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