Inspiration...Basic+ Shift Dress

In mid-April there was an inspiration post on the Basic Shift Dress.  Today brings a shift dress with a little bit more:

This is the Farah Stretch Canvas Shift Dress by Layette 148 New York.  Price tag: $498.00. 

At a mere glance this is a basic shift.  However upon closer inspection, you will see that there is a yoke front and back, seaming around the high hip area, large patch pockets with zippers, and an exposed zipper.   I'm not so sure that those pockets are functional.

As far as patterns go, if you made a basic shift dress it would probably be just as easy to alter the pattern by adding the yokes and seaming.  Remember once the dress is fitted, you can make changes.  Check the suggested patterns for the Basic Shift Dress. 

I did find one shift dress pattern with blocking but no sleeves:

This is Vogue 1382.  The basic seaming is there and it also has bodice shaping.  It's missing the sleeves but it could be used to create the look.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Shift Dress

The shift dress is quick and easy dressing.  You can dress them up or you can dress them down. 

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Easton Short-Sleeved Button-Back Shift Dress.  Price tag: $498.00.  Details:  Cotton/Nylon/Spandex blend, short-sleeved, knee-length, button-back, bateau neckline, and shift silhouette.  For a closer look, check out the Neiman Marcus website.

This is a lovely princess seam shift dress.  My guess is that if you wanted that neckline, you would need to copy it from another pattern or find a vintage version.   Here's a pattern to consider:

This is Simplicity 1586.  This is closer to a sheath dress than a shift dress but you have the color blocking and cup sizing.  It does have the princess seams and they are a different style.  I think minor changes would get you very close to the inspiration picture.

If you already have a shift dress pattern fitted, use it.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Shift Dress

 Spring will be here before we know it.  A little early stitching will get us prepared.  Here is a sweet little dress that with a sweater will be perfect for spring:

This is the Organic Cotton-Linen Ticking Stripe Shift Dress by Eileen Fisher.  Price tag: $218.00.  Details:  round neckline, keyhole back, sleeveless, side pockets, shift silhouette, hits about the knee, machine washable.  

I always like the idea of a shift dress.  Here is my go to for a simple shift dress pattern:

This is New Look 6500.  It is a great little pattern with many variations.  I did make this dress once and you can see it here.  The previous post on the dress provides some additional tutorials.

As always if you have a favorite shift dress pattern already fitted, use it and spend the money on some great fabric.  Hope you are inspired to created something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Sheath Dress

 Just a little more tweed because you can not have too much.

This is the Donegal Tweed Sleeveless Sheath Dress by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $1198.00.  Details: vented back, fitted, sleeveless, lined, zip back, waist darts, dry clean only.

I think we can do better with price and cleaning ability.  Now even though this is a super simple sheath dress, I had a hard time finding a simple dress like this.  The neckline is where the issue is at.  I suppose if you owned somethiing with this neckline you could tranfer it to your pattern.  I was able to locate two sheath dress patterns.

This is Butterick 6849.  A simple sheath dress with a waist line.  This would be a very versatile pattern to own.

This is McCall's 7533.  This sheath dress pattern gives you four sleeve variations and two hem variations.  It is not as fitted as the Butterick pattern but adding front and back darts will take care of that.  Remember to follow the rules of dart placement.

So, do you know the difference in a shift dress and a sheath dress?  The shift dress falls from the shoulder and typically is looser and straighter silhouette.  The sheath dress is fitted to the body curves.  I think the Butterick pattern is more of a sheath dress and the McCall's pattern is more of a shift dress.

Hope you are inspired to make something beautiful. 

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Sleeveless Shift Dress

 This shift dress is perfect for hot weather.  Sew it now and be ready for the season early.  Here is the dress:

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Sleeveless Cotton-Blend Shift Dress.  Price tag: $698.00.   Details:  dress featuring bust darts, pick stitching, back gore darts; approximately 37-inches long; round neckline; sleeveless; shift silhouette; knee length; back zip; cotton/nylon/polyamide/elastane blend; unlined; machine wash cold, and line dry.

Here is a tutorial for pick stitching.  As for the back gore darts, I am not familiar with that term and neither is Mr Google.  Maybe they are simply referring to the back darts that simply shape the back of the garment.  If you find some better explanation, please let me know.  

Now, I will admit that I probably would not make a white dress but that is why I sew.  Sewing allows me to pick the color and shape that I want.  Now, how about the pattern.  I generally recommend this dress:

Although New Look 8500 is a great pattern, the shape is a little bit different than the inspiration photo.  I will keep looking.

Simplicity 1609 without the collar might be a good interpretation of the inspiration photo without the collar.  This might be an A-line dress.  It is not part of the description but it could be modified slightly.

McCall's 7533 View B might be a good contender as well.  This pattern gives you a little more bang for the buck with the hem variation and sleeve variations.

This is the Style Arc June dress pattern.  This is pretty close to the inspiration photo.  It does have a slight a-line shape.  

Well, it looks like I have given you lots of pattern options for this one.  This feels like it should be a very basic dress and easy to find but it was not. Hope you are inspired to sew a nice dress.

Happy Stitching!

Shift Dress...

I'm still trying to beat the heat.  I'm also running a little bit late.  I picked a sleeveless shift dress:

This is New Look 6500. I've selected View D to make.  This is a fairly simple view and if I want the View C pockets they can be easily added.  This style reminds me of the basic Lilly Pulitzer shift dress.  There are a few reviews at Pattern Review.  You'll have to do a search as I was unable to put in a direct link.   Here's the muslin in a size 22:

This is sewn exactly as the pattern is.  I have removed seam allowances from the sleeves and neck.  I'm a little surprised at how well this fits.  I was actually expecting something horrible with this experiment.  Things that I see:

Fitting:
1.  Shoulder angle needs to be adjusted.
2.  Dart needs to be moved and made a bit larger.
3.  It may benefit from vertical darts in the back.  This might be done after construction.

Styling:
1.  Dress needs 3 inches added to the length plus the hem.
2.  Lower neckline by about 1/2 inch.
3.  Adjust armhole.

With the exception of length, I think the fitting changes could me made to the this muslin and then transfer to the pattern.  As far as styling, the neckline changes can be made but the changes to the armhole will depend on what I decide to do.

I'm planning on lining this dress so I went looking for on line resources (why do I have a library?).  Here's one that I found for drafting facing - all in one facing, and for sewing all in one facing.

Here's the pink dress in a Brussels Washer Linen Blend:

I did forget to mention that I lined this dress with a white cotton lawn.  Even though this dress looks a bit like a pillow case on me, I believe I will still get plenty of wear out of when the weather becomes unbearable.

I think I'm going to make one more sleeveless dress and  I might make another version at a later date.  A simple dress with sleeves is always a winner.  Here are some additional tutorials that may be of some use:

1.  Invisible Zipper Installation
2.  How to Sew a Skirt Lining to Your Zipper by Sewing Machine

I didn't do the sewing the lining to the dress.  I kinda chicken out.  Maybe on another version.

Hope you are inspired to stitch something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Shift Dress

Dresses can be a quick easy way to get dressed everyday.  Here's a shift dress that certainly fits that bill:

This is Lafayette 148 New York Thoren Shift Dress with Knit Trim.  Price Tag:  $498.00.  It is made from a viscose/nylon/spandex stretch crepe.  You can see more details on the Neiman Marcus website.  In looking at the fit of this dress on the model, it could really benefit from additional darting. 

When I saw this dress, I immediate thought of this pattern:

This is Indygo Junction Shift Dress IJ1151E. It doesn't have sleeves but it's a good representative of this style.  It is possible that you could draft the sleeve.

This pattern has the sleeves and general idea but would need more alterations:

This is Butterick 6473.  With this pattern you would get the neckline with the sleeves but the portion above the waist would need to be lengthened. 

Hope you inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Basic Shift Dress

How do you feel about basic dresses?  You know the ones that you can wear often.  Here's a very basic shift:

This is the Eileen Fisher Organic Linen-Blend Shift Dress.  Price tag: $278.00.  I could see this worn many different ways and it could be in a weekly rotation for months if you wanted. 

Here's a pattern with a similar silhouette:
. 

This is McCall's 6102.  It is called a tent dress. The advantages to this dress is that there a separate patterns pieces for the cup sizes.  Of course, I would want to have the an in-between length for a dress with it being just at the knee.

This is McCall's 6465.  This is a pull-over dress.  As you can see, this pattern has a few more options with the sleeve length and hem treatments.  Darting is available for the shaping.

This is New Look 6500.  There are a few options available with this pattern.  There is darting for shaping.  It is not a pull-over style.

I only looked at the Big 4 pattern website.  I was a little surprised at the lack of the very basic woven pull-over dress patterns.  Don't get me wrong, there are lots of interesting dress patterns.  Just not the basic ones for woven fabrics. 

What is your thought on such a basic dress?  Do you like the idea of having this type of dress in the wardrobe that can be worn over and over?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Sleeveless Shift Dress

 There is nothing like a shift dress for those hot summer days.  This dress is perfect:

This is the Sleeveless Cotton-Blend Shift Dress by Lafayette 148 New York. Price tag: $698.00.  Details:  bust darts, pick stitching, back gore darts, approximately 37-inches from the shoulder to the hem, round neckline, sleeveless, shift silhouette, knee length, back zip, machine wash.

Here is a great pattern -

This is the June Sheath Dress pattern by Style Arc.  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Sheath Dress

 I am all for a good dress in the heat of summer.  

This is the Postcards-Print Vintage Cotton Canvas Sheath Dress by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $898.00.  Details:  Jewel neckline, sleeveless, vertical waist darts, hem around knee, a-line silhouette, invisible back zipper, unlined, length approximately 35 1/2-inches, dry-clean only.  Model is 5'10".  

This dress is all about the fabric.  I do not know that I have ever seen fabric exactly like this.  If you have, please send me a link.  As far as a pattern goes, I am going with my fall back shift dress pattern:

Yep, New Look 6500.  This is a classic shift dress pattern.  All you need to do is add some waist darts front and back to snug it up (or not).  

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Denim Dress

Let's get prepared to hot weather with this dress:

This is the Tory Burch Belted Gemini Jacquard Sleeveless Denim Dress.  Price tag:  $348.00.  Details:  Crew Neck, Zip Front, Accented buckle waist, front patch pockets, sheath silhouette, hits about the knee, cotton, lined.  For a closer look, check the Neiman Marcus website.

Here's the almost perfect pattern:

This is New Look 6500.   This is a basic shift dress with variations.  Once fitted you could make a lot of variations. 

This is the Laurel shift dress pattern by Colette.  If you poke around a bit you can find many variations for this particular dress pattern.  Become a member at Seamwork and depending on the type of membership you can get this pattern for a good price. (I do get a small benefit if you were to purchase a membership at Seamwork.)

Hope you're inspired to make some beautiful dresses.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Sleeveless Shift Dress

The dog days of summer are coming and we must be prepared. 

This is the Farrah Sleeveless Linen Dress by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $548.00.  This is a variation of the dress from the  Basic+ Shift Dress post from early in the month.  That means that the same pattern would apply. 

This dress is a good example of a way to use a large scale print breaking it up with seams. The fabric on this dress is linen. 

Do you like the idea of using the same pattern multiple times?  Do it help with the fitting process?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Patchwork Dress

This week's inspiration is rather interesting and lends itself toward using large leftovers pieces of fabric or not.  It would definitely take some planning but is certainly doable.

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Patchwork Print Twist Front  Maxi Dress.  Price tag: $1698.00.  Details: Jeweled neckline, sleeveless, ruched back, ankle length, a-line silhouette, invisible zipper, polyester, fully lined, 51-inches long.  For reference, the model is 5'10".  It can be found on Neiman Marcus website.

This is such a simple dress.  If you have a fitted shift dress meant for wovens, you are almost there.  I would be very tempted to make the "twist" into a belt.  In the past when I had this type of a twist, it closed with velcro. As for the skirt of the dress, I would decide on the length and decide how wide to make the skirt.  Then, I would change the skirt portion of the shift dress by cutting the pattern at regulra intervals and spread until I have the wide that I wanted.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Patchwork Dress

 Patchwork seems to be everywhere this season but it sure is a great way to use up those bits and pieces that you can not bring yourself to get rid of.  Here is a great little dress:

This is the Akris punto Washed Denim Patchwork Short Dress With Belt. Price tag: $1298.00.  Details: patchwork styling, round neckline, sleeveless, back zip closure, belted waist, a-line silhouette, lined.

This is such a great way to use up leftover fabric.  I would try to match the types of fabric - linen, linen/cotton, cotton.  Who has not had to purchase more fabric than they needed?  Many times you have to purchase in whole yards.  Here a pattern suggestion:

This is a classic shift dress pattern - New Look 6500.  The last I checked it is still available.  Any shift dress pattern that you have available and fitted works for this.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Cord Shift Dress

 The weather is cooling.  It is time to think about warmish clothes.  Here is a cute little dress:

This is the Evie Cord Shift Dress from Boden.  Price tag: $110.00.  Details: corduroy, lined bodice, sleeveless, semi-fitted, side seam pockets, back zip.

This is not a very expensive dress.  It made me think of this dress by Seamwork:

This is the Knox pdf pattern.  No, it is not exactly like the inspiration photo but this was the first pattern that I thought of.  

This is the Bryn pdf pattern.  This pattern is a little closer to the inspiration pattern.  The neckline might be lower.  

Either of these patterns can be found on Seamwork by clicking the affiliate link, click on patterns, sort by dresses or search by name. 

I am an affiliate of Seamwork.  By clicking on a link and purchasing, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.  Thank you!

Hope you are inspired.

Happy Stitching!

Black & White Shift Dress...

 When back in March, I had an inspiration dress that I really loved.  Here is the dress:

The link above is for the post which gives the details on the dress.  Here is the fabric that I found:

Not an exact match but close enough to get the idea.  Yes, I am going to use the Butterick 6500 pattern.  It is already fitted, well mostly. I made changes to the armscye opening returning it closer to the original drafting of the pattern.  Here is a glance at the pattern cover:

I will not be lining the dress this time but I will be using a one-piece facing which gives a very clean look to the dress.  Since the facing is already drafted, I used this video to assist with the attaching and turning of the garment.  This video will work as well.  Two methods that both work well.  Here is a couple of places to find information on installing an invisible zipper - method 1 and method 2,  Invisible zipper is not needed for the dress but I like the invisible zippers.

Here is the finished dress:

Now, I just need some new accessories like a long necklace or a different pair of shoes.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Sheath Dress

In with the spring/summer theme from last week, we have a sheath dress.  This is a very classic piece to have in your wardrobe.

This is the Lafayette 148 Harpson Sleeveless Dress. Price tag: $898.00. Details: Approximately 40" from shoulder, knee length, sleeveless, front and back waist darts, sheath silhouette, and center back zipper.

This dress is all about the fabric.  Some fabric will produce a more dressy look and other fabric will produce a very casual look.  Maybe this is the year for a denim everyday sheath dress.  Here is a pattern to consider:

This is Butterick 6849.  It is a classic sheath dress. There are three sleeve variations which includes the sleeveless version.  This one does have a waist seam.  It might be possible to eliminate that seam.  

Here is another option:

This is New Look 6667. It is a shift dress styling instead of the sheath dress but I think you could make it work.  

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Sewing!

Inspiration...A-line Dress

 An a-line dress will look good on most people. Here is a nice example:

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Jewel A-Line Dress. Price tag: $798.00.  Details: Crew neck, long sleeves, back zip closure, knee length, unlined, viscose/polyester/elastane.

This is a great dress for work, church, etc.  Really I would wear just day-to-day.  Here are a couple of dress pattern that might work well:

This is the Seamwork Piedra dress pattern.  It is a knit shift dress.  It gives you the high neck line, and the long sleeves.  It is a casual, pull-over dress.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Bateau Neck Midi Dress

 Sometimes, it is all about the fabric.  This dress is one of times:

This is the Bateau-neck Camel Hair Midi Dress by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $1798.00. Details:  Felted camel hair, pick stitch detailing, approximately 41-inches long from shoulder to hem, bateaux neckline with pick stitch detailing, long sleeves, on seam pockets, hem falls below knee, shift silhouette, invisible zipper, animal hair/polyester/spandex, lining is spandex/polyester, dry clean.

This dress is a wonderfully simple silhouette which really showcases the fabric.  I did find some camel hair by the yard at B Black & Sons.  Although the fabric is expensive, it is a small percentage of the cost of the dress.  The lining fabric needs to be considered as well.   Is a pattern available for the particular silhouette?

I do not find a pattern similar to this silhouette with the exception of patterns from the 50s and 60s.  So, my suggestion is to take an existing shift dress pattern with a similar silhouette and use this tutorial to change the neckline to a bateau neckline.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Sleeveless Dress

 Summer is coming.  Have you started adding to your summer wardrobe yet?  I have been fitting muslins so that when warmer weather hits I can move quickly.

Here is a fabulous spring/summer dress:

This is Talbots Metallic Butterfly Jacquard Dress.  Price tag: $149.00.  Details:  Shift dress, jewel neck, sleeveless, hidden back zipper, hits at knee, lined.

This is not a terribly expensive dress.  I know from experience that this type of dress would never fit me.  The fabric is really key here and probably the hardest part to locate.  If you find a nice jacquard with an all over print.  Let me know.  Now, for the pattern:

Yes, this is my typical pattern for this type of dress - New Look 6500.  View D looks like it is spot on for the styling.  You might want to double-check the length.

Hope you're inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!