A few years ago I made this dress.
An example of Frankensewing, I took a shirt pattern, added a pleated skirt – and voila – a shirtdress.
Nice, sort of Betty Draper style from season 3 or 4 of Madmen.
But I’m no longer in love. I’ve gotten better at adapting patterns to fit me. Clearly I hadn’t done so with this pattern. Well, what I did was arbitrarily lower the waist – I lowered it to much. I also didn’t take in the extra ease in the blouse and the skirt is too long.
Instead of giving the dress to goodwill, I decided first to make a few changes.
I raised the waist (probably not enough, but it’s better. I chopped off a good 4″ from the hem and I took in the side seams.
Better, much better
Do I love the dress? No, but now I’m willing to wear it, so I’d call that a win.
And no, I won’t be making this style again. If I do make another shirtdress (which I might) I’ll make sure that the skirt isn’t so full. I’m thinking I should go through and see if I still have that shirt pattern, I really do like the collar.
Leah