Pattern: Vogue 8028m view A
Fabric: 3 yards of stretch plaid shirting from fabric.com (still available)
It’s rare that I’m struck by the urge to make something twice – there are so many patterns in my queue, and so little time to make them! But after finishing my first shirtdress using this pattern, I still felt like making another. I bought this shirting because of the color (I do love green, and it’s more emerald than it looks on my monitor.) I had planned to make a tunic, but after I finished my shirtdress I knew that only a dress could do justice to the plaid! This sort of buffalo check plaid is in style right now. I like it – it’s less mottled than a more traditional plaid. The only negative is that matching thread is impossible. I left off most of the topstitching because there was just no way to get it looking good.
The cuffs were cut on the bias, and I used self fabric interfacing all over, so that I wouldn’t get white show through on the buttonholes. The dress could possibly be a bit smaller in the bodice, but I tend to err on the larger side in winter. It’s 2 inches longer than the cord dress – I plan to wear it sometimes without tights, and so I wanted it to be knee length. I had trouble with the collar – I forgot to enclose the self facing at first, and had to rip the stitching back. Then I couldn’t get it to stay in place for topstitching, but I finally solved that issue by using a gluestick to glue the collar down before stitching – I read that somewhere and it’s a great tip!
I love this dress – I’m definitely all about the shirtdress this winter. And I am very proud of my plaid matching – you can’t even tell that it buttons in the front in these photos!
Wow, you did a wonderful job matching the plaid! It’s like the pretty adult version of the grunge flannel shirt. Love it!
Love it! Great job on matching the plaid. I’m itching to make another shirt dress, too.
What a cute dress!
You did an EXCELLENT job with matching the plaids! And the dress is just lovely on you!!!
The plaid-matching is flawless!! Very very cute + I love how you accessorized this
xo,
raven
I matched plaids once and vowed never to do it again, but your dress is making me change my mind. Most fantabulous!
I love your dress, too! That colour really suits you. Fab to have an outside shot! I must do more of those except, eek, my garden looks dreadful right now. Your boots are fab, too.
Awesome! It’s a really cool dress. Very well made. It’s what I’m looking for in daywear.
I have the same feeling with a skirt pattern I have. I love it and have done it a few times. But I have so many different projects piling up! However, the skirt ALWAYS turns great.
And your shirt dress pattern is completely worth a few uses!
Your dress is lovely!!
It is so you. The dress is awesome.
I love this one! I’ve made 2 sets of pajamas (for husband and myself) in this plaid in red. It’s definitely a spirit-boaster: bold, solid and dependable! Great plaid matching: I know what you mean there – great feedback to see the lines match-up.