This months sew your view sew along was Simplicity 8908. It is a very simple women’s shirt dress in three different lengths and sleeve variations. I love shirt dresses and was excited to participate. In order to bring the simple design of the dress to life, I decided to make a colorful shirt dress. After all, we all could use a little more color in our lives, right?
Fabric Selection
The pattern is really basic, with very few pieces. I decided to look for an interesting fabric to add my unique style. I used a very colorful silky fabric I found from my local Joann’s fabric. Sometimes, I promise you the fabric just speaks to me. When I walked into the store, this fabric just stood out. Therefore, you know I had to grab it. The fabric can be found online here. I made view D and added two inches to the length. This required 8 buttons, which I used some simple black buttons.
In comparison to other women’s shirt dress that I have made, this dress was super easy to make. With only 5 pattern pieces, this is a win for a shirt dress. I love how the front and back are one long piece. As a result, they do not break the pattern with waist seams. I chose not to put the front pocket on, as I felt it was unnecessary, and did not add to the design of the dress. The construction was quick. The only alterations I made were to add two inches to the length. After looking at the finished length of the final garment, I was sure this was best for my body and the style I am trying to create.
Recommendations
I would definitely recommend this pattern to anyone looking for a beginner shirt dress pattern. With the small number of pattern pieces, I found this dress so much easier than most shirtdress patterns. The dress is super comfortable and will be a great staple for spring and summer. The longer sleeve versions will also be great in fall with a heavier fabric.
