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31.1.14

Shirt Dress

Until now, my love for shirt-dresses has been unrequited.  In various forms they appeared cute or elegant or business-like or even cheeky on other people, but on me they just never seemed to look quite right.

The moment that I saw this Liberty print, I knew I was going to make it into a shirt-dress.  The print has a sort of plaid shirt dress vibe about it, without actually being plaid.  And Hurrah!  A Liberty print that is not a washed out sort of floral.  In the past, my love for Liberty has always been about the quality and not so much the print. 

It took me a while to sift through my collection of shirt and shirt-dress patterns.  Eventually I settled on a shirt in the 4/2006 Burda magazine, lengthened to dress length. 

 (photo taken in Victoria)

I liked the bib feature.  I modified the pattern a little to gather the dress a little below the bib.  I'm a little disappointed that the sleeves did not ease in very well.  They are quite narrow sleeves, so in hindsight, it seems odd that they needed easing at all.


The collar for this pattern was unlike any other I have sewn.  It is like a cross between a convertible collar and a collar with stand, so you end up with shaping in the collar, which is then attached like a convertible collar.  I used Sherry's tutorial for attaching the collar. 



The buttons were from the jar of Liberty buttons given to me by a friend.  They match so beautifully that I wonder if they were designed to go with this fabric?




18 comments:

  1. That is an interesting collar. The fabric looks divine. I used Sherry's tutorial for my strawberry shirtdress but it didn't work out so well and I have to take it off and I think use lighter or no interfacing. Were you in Victoria and Brisbane on holidays?

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  2. Very pretty! I like how you matched the fabric for the bib.

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  3. this is beautiful. I love the effortless feel to it while still being feminine.

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  4. I like you like shirt dresses on other people and haven't found one I would like on myself. Yours is lovely. I would so wear this and love the fabric. I agree I would definitely wear Liberty if there fabrics were all like this!

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  5. I love this. I've always eyed off this particular Liberty print but wasn't sure how it would look. I really love it and I like your shirt dress too. You know I have a thing for Liberty and shirt dresses, so I may just rip this look from you :)

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  6. I completely understand what you mean about Libery prints but this one is gorgeous. Love the way your dress looks and it must feel great to wear.

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  7. I feel the same way about most Liberty prints, save for a few - this one is fantastic, graphic and bright. Perfect for your shirt dress!

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  8. Cute shirtdress and the fabric is lovely too. I have encountered (fought with) that Burda collar - resulting in a blouse type UFO. Thanks for pointing to Sherry's tutorial - I missed that one.
    ~Jen

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  9. It looks great. I can't wait to try some Liberty fabric myself.

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  10. Stunning fabric and a lovely pattern. I particularly like the looped buttonholes. I think you've finally found a good shirtdress!

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  11. Very very nice. I'm also very impressed with you managing to work out that collar. I have a Burdastyle mag navy silk blouse half-finished and tossed in the back of a drawer after I completely stuffed up the collar, which is the same style as yours.
    I can salvage the blouse, I'll put a tie round the neck. But yes, I'm awed you managed to get it right!

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  12. Oh wow, those buttons are absolutely perfect for that fabric! I love all those sunset colors in that fabric. That burda maternity coat I made last year had a collar like that and I couldn't wrap my head around it's construction.

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  13. I'm depressed. Seriously depressed. I am on a fabric diet this year and you wave this delicious Liberty print right under my nose. Then dare to make it up into something that really belongs in my wardrobe!! Just love what you've done with this.

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  14. I love this Liberty print. I have one of their florals made into a shirt, but I think there's room for only that one though. This fabric however, very modern and striking, I may have to reconsider my lame attempt at fabric dieting!. Those buttons are indeed a perfect match, the whole dress is perfect

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  15. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

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  16. I love your take on the shirtdress - the fabric is perfect for it. And the dress really suits you!

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  17. That shirt dress is amazing! I particularly like the pattern and I think it suits you very well. You make really great clothes. Plus, you’re doing a great job of modeling them as well. I’m looking forward to your next sewing project.

    Joel McCall

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  18. Katherine, this dress suits you so well! Once again you've matched colour, print and style incredibly well. Those little double buttons/button loops are such a lovely touch.

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