Pattern Description: Shirtdress in two lengths with sleeve, collar and skirt variations has side seam pockets, front and back waistline pleats. View C: contrast collar and sleeve binding. Shown with purchased belts. Instructions included for sash.
Pattern Sizing:8-12
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? No. I modified this pattern as an entry into the RTW 2013 Pattern Review Competition
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes! When I used them...
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? This is a great shirtdress pattern and it's a shame it is out-of-print. It has a collar band and a variety of sleeve, skirt and collar options. It's well drafted and a nice easy fit.
Fabric Used: Navy and white cotton/poly gingham
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I shortened the straight sleeve. I added a cuff to the sleeve and turned it over twice to achieve a cute double cuffed look. I set the sleeves in flat (so much easier!)
I turned it into a skirtmaker dress - that is a dress where the buttons finish at the waist and the dress has a zip under the arm so you can get out. I simply baasted the front closed, attached the skirt pieces to the front and back, inserted the invisible zipper and then sewed up the side seams.
I wanted to create a pleated skirt to the Shabby Apple Overboard dress I was copying. for the competition. I created my own skirt pieces. I did this by simply pleating the fabric using the navy gingham squares as a guide. I set the pleats so they met at my centre waist and spine. It created a cute visual 'waistband'.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes I really enjoyed this project and it was the first time I had sewn a collar band and it was much easier than I thought.
I finished this dress and then wore it all weekend!
Gingham shirtdresses are gorgeous!
Conclusion: A really lovely dress pattern that I am sure I will use again.
I struggled to get identical copycat photos as we have just endured a flood, our jetties and waterfront are a mess with our region being declared 'a natural disaster zone'. Mother Nature had her own ideas for this photo shoot!
Quickie said... Your knock-off has turned out great 2/27/13 2:32 AM
Dilliander said... Fabulous photo and fabulous dress! 2/27/13 4:06 AM
tallygirl said... Love your dress! 2/27/13 5:13 AM
BillieJean said... Beautiful dress. 2/27/13 6:47 AM
Kristine Kay said... Beautiful dress! I love the visual that you created with the squares and pleating of the skirt along the waistline! And your photo shoot... So awesome!!! 2/27/13 7:19 AM
caper81 said... Sorry to hear about your inclement weather! :( Your dress turned out fantastic! Great photo shoot too :) 2/27/13 9:46 AM
Jrhee said... Looks wonderful, and just like the original. Isn't sewing awesome? 2/27/13 9:55 AM
Ambersim said... Looks great! 2/27/13 11:51 AM
Donel said... Super cute dress! Great job! 2/27/13 4:56 PM
magpie57 said... A great knock off! Love the alterations you made and the fabric. Sorry about your mother nature problems. I hope all is well. 2/27/13 5:00 PM
Cici Cotton said... Sorry to hear about all the flooding. I'm glad your sewing machine didn't wash away. This is a great dress. Good job with the photo shoot. 2/27/13 6:38 PM
Terri A said... Aren't you gorgeous in this?!!! Wow!!! 2/27/13 9:14 PM
ArtAttack said... Oh, what a cute dress!! Great job...a dead ringer for the original. Good luck in the contest! 2/27/13 11:25 PM
velosewer said... So which dress is the knock off.
They're the same but your version is much better made - of course! Awesome job. 2/28/13 7:12 PM
LizJaneB said... Thank you all so much! I've worn this dess several times and gets loads of compliments - sewing win!! 3/1/13 4:54 AM
SarahLouM said... Beautiful dress 3/3/13 7:54 PM
joan54 said... A great knock off of a beautiful dress 3/4/13 2:03 AM
willyh999 said... A Fabulous knockoff of a beautiful dress. You are very talented. 3/4/13 4:07 AM
janbatch said... A wonderful knockoff. 3/5/13 3:36 AM
GoodbyeValntino said... You certainly got one of my votes! Love your knockoff. 3/6/13 6:51 AM
Aroura said... Spot on Knock-off, i can hardly tell yours from the original. But I like yours better! Fantistic job, and such a cute dress on you!! 3/9/13 1:21 PM
trishapatk said... Adorable! You did a great job knocking it off and I hope you enjoy wearing it. 3/10/13 1:10 PM
Your knock-off has turned out great
2/27/13 2:32 AM
Fabulous photo and fabulous dress!
2/27/13 4:06 AM
Love your dress!
2/27/13 5:13 AM
Beautiful dress.
2/27/13 6:47 AM
Beautiful dress! I love the visual that you created with the squares and pleating of the skirt along the waistline! And your photo shoot... So awesome!!!
2/27/13 7:19 AM
Sorry to hear about your inclement weather! :( Your dress turned out fantastic! Great photo shoot too :)
2/27/13 9:46 AM
Looks wonderful, and just like the original. Isn't sewing awesome?
2/27/13 9:55 AM
Looks great!
2/27/13 11:51 AM
Super cute dress! Great job!
2/27/13 4:56 PM
A great knock off! Love the alterations you made and the fabric. Sorry about your mother nature problems. I hope all is well.
2/27/13 5:00 PM
Sorry to hear about all the flooding. I'm glad your sewing machine didn't wash away. This is a great dress. Good job with the photo shoot.
2/27/13 6:38 PM
Aren't you gorgeous in this?!!! Wow!!!
2/27/13 9:14 PM
Oh, what a cute dress!! Great job...a dead ringer for the original. Good luck in the contest!
2/27/13 11:25 PM
So which dress is the knock off. They're the same but your version is much better made - of course! Awesome job.
2/28/13 7:12 PM
Thank you all so much! I've worn this dess several times and gets loads of compliments - sewing win!!
3/1/13 4:54 AM
Beautiful dress
3/3/13 7:54 PM
A great knock off of a beautiful dress
3/4/13 2:03 AM
A Fabulous knockoff of a beautiful dress. You are very talented.
3/4/13 4:07 AM
A wonderful knockoff.
3/5/13 3:36 AM
You certainly got one of my votes! Love your knockoff.
3/6/13 6:51 AM
Spot on Knock-off, i can hardly tell yours from the original. But I like yours better! Fantistic job, and such a cute dress on you!!
3/9/13 1:21 PM
Adorable! You did a great job knocking it off and I hope you enjoy wearing it.
3/10/13 1:10 PM