Sizing: 6 to 22, I made Kailtyn a 10. Kaitlyn loves a shirt dress and the team dresses up for away basketball games. She wanted a new one for her wardrobe.
Instructions: Very easy to follow, I really like how they have the pocket finished. "Turn upper edge to the inside along fold line forming facing, press. To make tuck, on outside, fold along tuck line, catching the raw edge of facing/ Stitch 1/4" from fold. Press fold of tuck down, pressing upper edge of pocket out." Great way to have a clean finished pocket. Here is the one for Kaitlyn's dress, I cut it on the bias.
Likes/Dislikes: Cute shirtdress with a younger feel and two hem/length variations There is no yokes and the collar and band is cut as one but this is something you could change (a slight dislike) but the collar/band combination does lay very nicely. I do like the fact is does include a front band, wider hems for the sleeves for turn up cuffs.
Fabric: A cotton stripe from Joann's. My Joann's had no shirtings, we found this in the quilting section.
Changes: Pockets on the bias to start. I cut view B, with the shorter length and shirttail hem. Oh, boy, way to short for Kaitlyn. It has been awhile since I have sewn for her and mom couldn't remember my baby is as tall as me! So time to "make it work" in the words of Tim Gunn. I had just enough fabric left to cut a hem band with the stripe running horizontally. I think it looks great and was an intended design feature instead "oh, my gosh, fix this"!
Conclusion: Great shirtdress, good instructions and pretty good fit. Kaitlyn stated this morning, her arms had limited motion. Not sure it was due to the stretch belt she had on, holding the dress in place or a shoulder, back or armsyce issue. Suggestions? Will explore more when she is not rushing out the door to school. 
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| Reluctant model, too cold outside and I need to get to school! |
That is adorable! I swear Lori, we are twins seperated at birth (you are the tall and lean twin and I am the short and other body type twin)! I have this same pattern on my " to do" pile! love the red stripe.
ReplyDeleteAdorable! Love the dress and your fix, and your daughter is so cute in it!
ReplyDeleteI love it!!
ReplyDeleteLimited arm movement? Like, she has trouble holding her arms out in front of her (frankenstein-style) and the fabric binds on the fronts of her shoulders when doing so? If this is the problem, then it could be a broad back adjustment or a prominent shoulder blades adjustment. Bloggers call it different things, but the SlapdashSewist has a good example of what she does. Also, check out the Cupcake Goddess: http://www.afashionablestitch.com/2012/sewing/the-quest-for-a-perfect-fit/
ReplyDeleteNice shirt dress, Lori. It looks great on Kaitlyn. As for the lack of arm movement, as dressmakers we tend to jump to the complicated fit solutions first when it's something simple :) , so go through the simple things first. To me it looks like there isn't enough "blousing" over the top of the belt to allow movement in the dress. If the dress is short to begin with, Kaitlyn has probably pulled the dress down. Also I know when I wear dresses like this I don't like the look of "blousing" over a wide belt so I pull the dress down but that restricts movement. I hope this is all it is. :)
ReplyDeleteWell done! I'll have to take a look at this pattern--thanks :)
ReplyDeleteI love your variations on this, you've made me seriously consider this as my next lisette plan!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous dress Lori, and it looks wonderful on your daughter. I'm not a fit expert, and would agree with what Sew-4-Fun said.
ReplyDeleteWonderful dress! Great save on the hem length.
ReplyDeleteKaitlyn looks great in her new dress, and I'm sure you will address the fit issue with the next one :-) Nice use of the striped fabric and making the most of the 'design opportunity' presented!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute on her!
ReplyDeleteThat dress could have come out of a boutique. Your solution to the hem really adds to the design of the dress. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteA striped fabric looks so cute made up into a shirt dress. Your "make it work" moment was brilliant.
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