Wednesday 5 June 2013

Blue rose shirt dress

My big news for today is that my blue rose shirt dress is finished. Hoorah! A few stumbling blocks were flung across my path during the making of it, including half term holidays and a serious buttonhole foot malfunction. But now it's finally completed, I'm glad I made it at my own pace and didn't try to rush the making of this lovely dress.

This is the second time I've used McCall's 4769 (the first being my Jubilee dress), so I knew I didn't need to make any further adjustments to the pattern. In fact I didn't have to make any the first time round, just shortening the skirt using the petite lines on the pattern. 

For fabric I used my all time favourite Liberty print - Carline - which is a fab blue rose print on a cream background. It was a tight squeeze cutting out all the pattern pieces as I only had two metres, but omitting the pockets and sleeve bands seemed to just about swing it. It's fully underlined with silk cotton (apart from the sleeves), which makes a massive difference both in opacity and feel. The blue of the roses really pops with the white underlining and the dress now has a luxurious weightiness to it that I love.

Inside...

..and outside

My first version of this dress only has six buttons and buttonholes, and with hindsight, I think a couple of extra ones wouldn't have gone amiss. So this time round I made eight buttonholes, which gives the dress that extra bit of security! 

And finally, I managed to use the last scraps of my Watch this Lace trimming on the hem. It's a perfect colour match too - don't you just love it when that happens?!


For those of you who were interested in a tutorial on attaching the collar and facings, I think I have enough photos and will put something together over the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, here I am prancing around in my new dress...

I love how it looks with a waspie belt

Can my cheeks possibly look any more hamster like?

Yes, they can!

I just love shirt dresses - they're so easy to wear and manage to effortlessly travel that difficult path between casual and dressed up. I know I'm going to love wearing this dress over the summer. x
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76 comments:

  1. Χειρ/τα Μπλε Όνειρα/Handmade Blue Dreams5 June 2013 at 08:10

    My favorite colour!Very beautiful!

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  2. House of Pinheiro5 June 2013 at 08:15

    Beautiful dres.. It's sure was worth the extra effort and waiting.

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  3. Unknown5 June 2013 at 08:39

    Wow! The inside looks nearly as beautiful as the outside!

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  4. Claire5 June 2013 at 08:43

    One of my favourite fabrics too! It is a beautiful dress and the lace trim is perfect.

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  5. dorawu5 June 2013 at 08:48

    I really love your everbuying.com blue lace dresses especially the pop of color you gave it with the underlining.

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  6. Kate-Em5 June 2013 at 09:04

    This is a gorgeous dress. Fabulous style and fabric.

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  7. Unknown5 June 2013 at 09:19

    It's fabulous Jane! It's so pretty and it suits you very well too:) ... and I'll definitely appreciate the tutorial once you get a moment to put it up ;-)

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  8. Unknown5 June 2013 at 09:31

    Oh, this is gorgeous!

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  9. Freya May5 June 2013 at 10:07

    What a lovely dress!!! I would love to see a tutorial on collars and facings, looking forward to it :)
    Freya May
    thedressmakingdiaries.blogspot.com

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  10. Lynn5 June 2013 at 10:28

    Wow, lovely and the inside finish is fab! Love the pattern- might just be what I am looking for!

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  11. Unknown5 June 2013 at 11:40

    Oh my goodness, this is so beautiful and perfectly made. I'm glad you took the time to go at your own speed too :) It looks stunning on you!

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  12. Anonymous5 June 2013 at 12:09

    Absolutely beautiful and inspiring, Jane. I can't wait to see this in person!

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  13. Anonymous5 June 2013 at 12:11

    This is SO pretty! Beautiful job there, Jane!

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  14. Roobeedoo5 June 2013 at 12:16

    Oh look at that - lovely! You look "very trim", as my mother would say! ;)

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    1. Jane5 June 2013 at 20:28

      'Trim'!! What a lovely way to be described, thanks! x

      Delete
  15. Sew little time5 June 2013 at 12:18

    gorgeous! love that print and the fit is amazing!

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  16. Kestrel5 June 2013 at 12:34

    Ah Jane, it's gorgeous! Can't beat the shirtdress for a classic style and the fabric is beautiful. Looks like a delight to wear and you look fab.

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  17. Gail5 June 2013 at 12:53

    So beautiful! You really did an amazing job on this - such a clean finish inside! I can see why this fabric is your favorite. It's so classic, and perfectly you!

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  18. Rachel5 June 2013 at 13:12

    Wow, stunning, amazing job!

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  19. Graca5 June 2013 at 13:29

    Wow, that so pretty! I love your fabric choice.

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  20. Craft Sanctuary5 June 2013 at 13:59

    The dress is put together so well. The inside looks just as lovely as the outside. I am in love with the fabric on you! The bright blue flowers really do pop with the white underlining, and they make your features pop too :)

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  21. Colleen5 June 2013 at 14:06

    Inspired by your blue roses and Gertie's red Carline shirt dress, I bought 3 meters of red Carline from a UK seller -- I've never made a shirt dress but I think the fabric looks great. Fingers crossed that I can do one successfully!

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    1. Jane5 June 2013 at 20:30

      Oh that's great to hear. Good luck making it, I think it's the perfect fabric for a shirt dress (but I'm biased!) x

      Delete
  22. Unknown5 June 2013 at 14:07

    Just adding my voice to the many above of oh my! what a beautiful dress! My me made summer wardrobe is sadly lacking and this beautiful fabric has made me want to put that right, immediately! :-)

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  23. Bridget5 June 2013 at 14:08

    It looks fantastic! The fabric is perfect for it. I'm green with envy. :)

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  24. Becca5 June 2013 at 14:29

    This is so CUTE! It's great when a dress is beautiful inside and out. I love that shade of blue. It looks perfect on you. I always end up adding extra buttons to shirts and shirt dresses. I've found that even if the fit is great, there may still be gaping between buttons. Extra security is always good. :)

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    1. Jane5 June 2013 at 20:33

      I can't believe it's taken me this long to realise I can add extra buttons to a garment instead of faithfully following the pattern instructions! Like you, I'll be doing it all the time now! x

      Delete
  25. mokosha5 June 2013 at 14:46

    such a beautiful dress!

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  26. Shannon5 June 2013 at 15:45

    Great dress on the outside and the inside!!

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  27. LLADYBIRD5 June 2013 at 15:50

    Beautiful! As much as I love the way you look in red, blue is a pretty perfect color for you too :) And blue roses?! - swoon!

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    1. Jane5 June 2013 at 20:49

      Blue roses totally make me swoon too! x

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  28. annyvials5 June 2013 at 16:02

    Loving that dress Jane. I love blue roses. Just out of interest, where do you get your cotton silk lining fabric from? And, do you use an overlocker for your raw edges or is that a stitch on your sewing machine?

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    1. Jane5 June 2013 at 20:52

      Yes, I do use an overlocker to finish my seam edges. The silk cotton is from the Goldhawk Road. It would be good to find an online supplier as I've had lots of queries about it. Will let you know if I have any success. x

      Delete
  29. Anonymous5 June 2013 at 16:10

    Oh, Jane! What a beautiful dress! I have eagerly been awaiting the unveiling and it definitely does not disappoint!! What a marvellous job!

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  30. Tasha5 June 2013 at 16:25

    I adore it! It's a beautiful print and really shines in that dress!

    Sorry again that we missed each other in London! xo

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    1. Jane5 June 2013 at 20:53

      Aw me too Tasha! Next time, definitely! x

      Delete
  31. Marie5 June 2013 at 16:32

    I'm in love with this Jane...that print is to die for! And I'm so glad you've found a go-to style and pattern that you can whip up without any major issues, how ruddy cool! Although, I must admit that whilst speed reading this at work, I initially thought you'd encountered 'butthole foot malfunction'...erm, weird!!!

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    1. Jane5 June 2013 at 20:57

      'Butthole foot??!!' God that REALLY made me laugh Marie, in fact every time I think of it I laugh! x

      Delete
    2. Marie7 June 2013 at 19:50

      Tell me about it, I'm still giggling about it now! In my silly state of mind, I forgot to say how chuffed I was that you used the remainder of your lace too...I'm very touched!xx

      Delete
  32. Kelly5 June 2013 at 17:03

    This is gorgeous on you! What a perfect dress.

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  33. Anonymous5 June 2013 at 17:34

    This dress is really beautiful. You look fabulous in it. It fits you ever so perfectly. Would love to see more about details - what you underlined it in. Congratulations and enjoy wearing it this summer.

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    1. Jane5 June 2013 at 20:59

      There's more info about the underlining in this post: http://handmadejane.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/kicking-off-summer-with-blue-roses.html
      And thank you! x

      Delete
  34. Lynne5 June 2013 at 18:13

    Wow, oh, wow!! I LOVE this dress, and it looks fab on you! This will be added to my Pinterest shirtdress board right now. The fabric is gorgeous, and it's interesting to read your comments on underlining (and to see a photo of the inside). I say that because I would love to make a shirtdress, but I know I'd have to alter the back neck, and that would mess up the collar. Oh, and you deserve bonus sewing points for cutting it out of 2 metres! What happened with the buttonholes? Did your machine do that thing were it knows it's a real live garment, and not a test fabric scrap, and then decides to muck up the buttonholes? I hate that!

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    1. Jane5 June 2013 at 22:03

      Yes, something like that, but thankfully not on this dress! A bit broke off my buttonhole foot a while ago but it still seemed to make buttonholes OK. It finally stopped working when I was putting buttonholes in my last sleeveless top - I had to finish some of them by hand, Grrr! Then Janome kept repeatedly sending me the wrong foot! Got there in the end though! x

      Delete
  35. Rockabilly Stitch5 June 2013 at 19:46

    Hey Jane - what a stunning dress! Because I love your blog I have nominated you for a Liebster Award - go to my blog to find out what it is -http://rockabillystitch.blogspot.co.uk/ xx

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  36. erin5 June 2013 at 20:44

    Gorgeous dress! You did a wonderful job on it. The fabric and pattern are a perfect match fir your style.

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  37. ALoadofOldTat5 June 2013 at 20:50

    Super fabric choice.

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  38. Claire Cooper5 June 2013 at 21:09

    Wow Jane - this is truly lovely!

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  39. seeds seams and upcycling5 June 2013 at 21:19

    suits you perfectly, fits you perfectly perfect dress really

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  40. Jenny5 June 2013 at 21:29

    It's beautiful!! Looks gorgeous on you

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  41. unlabelled clothes5 June 2013 at 22:26

    I know it's been said already, but the blue roses print AND a shirt dress is a lovely combination. I hadn't heard of silk cotton before - but it seems perfect for a summer dress lining.

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  42. Anonymous6 June 2013 at 02:27

    Wow - this is lovely! You're stunning in those blue roses!

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  43. Pam6 June 2013 at 04:20

    I've always loved this Liberty print as well - and what a fabulous creation! Great job on the dress!

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  44. Anonymous6 June 2013 at 10:06

    Congratulations! This dress is really beautiful on you.

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  45. Amanda6 June 2013 at 12:28

    Jane, this is absolutely stunning! A truly lovely fit and finish :D

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  46. Tilly6 June 2013 at 15:28

    Oh Jane, it's beauuuuuutiful! It suits you perfectly xx

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  47. Miriana6 June 2013 at 15:48

    Beautiful dress, Jane, and it really suits you!

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  48. EmSewCrazy6 June 2013 at 20:24

    You look fabulous! What an amazing dress! So beautiful. Have fun wearing it!

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  49. Miss Lulu6 June 2013 at 22:05

    I love this silhouette on you. And the fabric is gorgeous, roses for an English Rose.

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  50. Cherry Twist6 June 2013 at 23:36

    The blue really suits you Jane, it reminded me of a circular skirt with big blue roses I made back in my art college days (many years ago!) I am interested what you mean by silk cotton. Is it a silk cotton mix or is it a silk in a cotton weight or what? If it is silk don't you worry that it might shrink when you wash it and make the top fabric bunch up? It certainly helps to make the print lovely and vibrant!

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    Replies
    1. Jane8 June 2013 at 08:56

      I think it's a cotton with a percentage of silk, but I'm not sure what percentage. It certainly acts more like cotton than silk, it's really well behaved! x

      Delete
  51. Nita7 June 2013 at 06:51

    That is such a pretty dress, and fits you so perfectly.

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  52. Nathalie7 June 2013 at 23:20

    Such a lovely dress, and the fit is perfect! Will have to get the address of where on the Goldhawk Rd you find your cotton silk lining. I use very thin cotton, but this looks much nicer (and is no doubt more durable because of the silk). It gives the lawn the body it needs on a dress like this. Gorgeous!

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  53. jen storer8 June 2013 at 09:48

    Gorgeous. Totally!

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  54. Scruffybadger8 June 2013 at 11:20

    Jane I'm sorry to be late returning to comment having eaten this up at breakfast on Thursday but being in too much of a rush to do more than swoon, sigh, and generally get the vapours....this is gorgeous and feels like a missing piece in my wardrobe: a liberty shirt dress....enjoy wearing it lots Xx

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  55. Tia Dia9 June 2013 at 02:26

    Swoon. I love Carline. Anything Carline! And this shirt dress is perfect. I'm tempted into buying my own copy of that pattern so I can make it up!

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  56. Roisin Muldoon9 June 2013 at 09:17

    Ah JANE! This is genuinely perfect.

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  57. Anonymous12 June 2013 at 12:17

    Jane, this is beautiful inside and out (just like you) x

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  58. Beth of The Linen Cat12 June 2013 at 18:18

    It looks beautiful, and I love the inside shot and the lace used on the hem, all very inspiring! I'd be very interested to see a tutorial on attaching the collar and facings. Beth/thelinencat xx

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  59. Anonymous14 June 2013 at 10:35

    Just so beautiful. I love the dress and the fabric is perfection. Gorgeous.

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  60. Kat18 June 2013 at 23:31

    Stunning dress! I am also dying to know where you got the belt from, if you don't mind sharing…

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    1. Jane19 June 2013 at 07:58

      Thank you! the belt's from Vivien of Holloway and it's a 2 inch
      http://www.vivienofholloway.com/en/category/2in-belts/2in-belts/349/
      I'm also wearing a 3 inch belt with my Jubilee dress if you want the see a comparison. They're great, highly recommend them. X

      Delete
  61. Elizabeth's quarters20 June 2013 at 12:05

    It's a beautiful dress, and such a flattering shape. I'm usually wary of prints (in case they swamp me) but this one looks so elegant–love it!

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  62. Anonymous23 August 2013 at 08:31

    Wow, this dress is amazing! I haven't been sewing for very long but I'm desperate to make one of these. Maybe I'll take the plunge soon!!

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