I had been positively itching to make some more clothes for myself, so I decided to give this dress a go. I’m pretty pleased with how it came out, aside from messing up the buttonhole spacing near the bottom. It’s definitely comfortable!
The pattern is New Look 6651. I did modify the sleeves. A lot. I shortened the sleeve cap for a more relaxed fit and more range of motion. I lengthened the sleeve to 3/4-length and added a narrow, buttoned cuff with a vent. There was an Oxford-style shirt pattern in my stash with a great sleeve variation to use as a guide for that. I also had to shorten the bodice an inch, front and back. I used a linen gauze in place of iron-on interfacing and it worked a treat.
This is great! One If those pieces that can kind of go anywhere depending on what you pair it with. I like the leather belt, and cowboy boots would be cute, too.
I’m also going to second that “happy birthday” even though I’m late to the game!
@Manders, I feel that way every time I go to sew something for myself. But, every project is a chance to learn something even if it’s not wearable in the end. I like to read reviews of patterns (Sewing pattern review dot com) and get an idea of changes that might be necessary. Then, always make a muslin/mock-up to test fit. And just go slow and try it on as you go. Seams can be ripped out and resewn. And there are lots of people here who are more talented than I am that can help me troubleshoot if I get really stuck.
I chose patterns and materials for my wardrobe scheme that would work well with each other and what I’ve already got (and like). I’m in my 40s now and, as much as I would like to just exist in tshirts and comfy pants, I sometimes need to look like a ‘grown-up.’ I love the elastic waist band in this dress so much! I’ve been trying to figure out how to add elastic to every pattern I want to use. DH got me a cover stitch machine for my birthday, so the next dress is basically going to be a giant T-shirt.
It’s exactly the type of dress I’d wear, too. Like you, I’m trying to dress slightly more grown up, preferably without reducing the amount of comfort. Button-down shirt dresses (especially with an elastic waist!) are perfect for that - the collar makes them look fancy, but they are super easy to put on, and can be made from comfortable fabrics like cotton, chambray, denim, linen. And you can easily change the look by changing the belt, or wearing it with flats / boots / heels / sneakers. You could make this pattern again using a totally different fabric and no one would notice you have two dresses that are exactly the same.
Exactly! This is my third shirt dress and I will be using this pattern again. There’s a reason shirt dresses have been around for 8 or 9 decades - simple, modest, classic. I have some navy blue linen that I wanted a summer shirt dress out of. But, I only have 3 yards, so I will make it sleeveless and maybe a little shorter.
I love the elastic waist band in this dress so much! I’ve been trying to figure out how to add elastic to every pattern I want to use. DH got me a cover stitch machine for my birthday, so the next dress is basically going to be a giant T-shirt.
Congratulations! Your beautiful Chambray Shirt Dress is a Featured Project this week!