Thursday, 1 May 2014

Peasant shirt dress - version 1

Yesterday I had a pleasant morning chatting with Little M while making a peasant shirt dress for her. I like this style of dress, my neighbour had given me a much larger shirt than Bloke would ever wear and it was a lovely raspberry colour.



I went on pinterest, remembered I had something on my 'children' board and clicked. It turned out to be just a photo without instructions so I just started - because I am a bit like that!

 

The image looked like this... but I could not work out how the shoulders worked so I changed it a bit because my shirt had a yoke at the back which I had to cut below. Maybe the pale shirt was just bigger or something. I definitely did not get the neck line right.


I left the sleeve hem (useful) and cut in to make the sleeves. In hindsight this made the armpits a bit tight so I wouldn't do this next time.


 I found a basic shape and started to sew the 
shoulders and side seams


I saw this bias binding on both Chrissie and Mariannes blogs this week and it reminded me that I bought some in Gardenland for 50p a metre in a sale in January.


I made a double casing for the sleeves which was easy because it was already hemmed.


Hey presto! There are things I would change next time. The armpit area especially needs to be bigger and I would make the neck bit neater by having the casing going all the way round rather than from shoulder to shoulder. Oh yeah and I might use matching thread next time!



But she loved it and put it on for Pre-school today with a t-shirt underneath to keep warm.

If you want a slicker finish I was really close to buying this instant download pattern and I still might. This has versions as a dress or top and also a version with a beautiful scalloped edge.

Reduce, reuse and recycle. Jo xxxxx

http://www.sewmuchado.com/2012/08/polly-peasant-dress-blouse-pdf-pattern.html

EDIT: I finished writing this post at 9.18am and by 10.28am I had caved in and bought the pattern! Great photographic instructions for beginners. Jo x

EDIT 2: I HIGHLY recommend this pattern it is totally BRILIANT!!!!! 
I have made 2 blouses - sew easy!



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22 comments:

  1. Lazy Days & Sundays1 May 2014 at 09:25

    Hi Jo,

    Whether you think there are errors in your little dress it's still far better than I could cobble together. Your little one looks great in it and i think her little pink boots just completes the ensemble.

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  2. mamasmercantile1 May 2014 at 09:45

    I am going to pick up a couple of shirts next time I go to a car boot or charity shop so that I can give that a go for my two Grandaughters. I have just sent the link to your blog so that my daughter can have a look. I am so impressed it is adorable, as is the cute little girl wearing it.

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  3. Joy1 May 2014 at 10:28

    It's a gorgeous little dress Jo, you did a great job, and such a pretty colour! Little M looks so happy with it and so pretty too! Her hair seems to be growing since I last saw a pic of her? Joy x

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    1. Jo1 May 2014 at 10:32

      It has been a slow hair growing process only heightened as her sisters is really thick which she has had since a baby! She has a target, "When I start in school in September I will have long hair won't I?" yes Meg I say, it's only taken 5 years! Jo x

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    2. Joy4 May 2014 at 00:03

      Ah bless her sweet little heart - she'll get there! xxx

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  4. Una1 May 2014 at 11:29

    That is very clever. There is a huge amount of material in a man's shirt and it is usually very strong. I save my hubby's old shirts to make shorts for boys.

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  5. Ladybird Diaries1 May 2014 at 11:52

    The wee dress is fantastic Jo, you really are very talented. Little Miss looks very cute wearing it too.
    Marianne x

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  6. Beedeebabee1 May 2014 at 12:21

    Miss M looks like a beautiful little doll in her adorable new dress! I love it, Jo. ...She's precious! xo

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  7. Unknown1 May 2014 at 13:09

    Isn't she just the prettiest little thing! And she looks mighty happy wearing that lovely dress! Chrissie x

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  8. Unknown1 May 2014 at 13:50

    I am totally impressed ! she looks so happy in her sweet little dress.

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  9. Colette1 May 2014 at 16:21

    Such a sweet dress, she looks thrilled with it, great use for old shirts too!

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  10. Jennifer Hays1 May 2014 at 20:40

    OMG, I've never seen anything like this before but I love it! I'm sure there must be a shirt I can steal from my husband around here somewhere... :)

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  11. Meredith1 May 2014 at 20:41

    Aren't you just so amazing sewing that up as if it was nothing at all. I love it and Little Miss looks perfect in it.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  12. Amy at love made my home1 May 2014 at 22:49

    It looks great and is a great re-use of the shirt. I hope that you enjoy making some more with the pattern! xx

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  13. Unknown2 May 2014 at 01:04

    This is so cute!!

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  14. My Garden Diaries2 May 2014 at 03:14

    I am pinning this! You are so talented friend! Seriously! I love that dress on her and thank you for sharing the pattern for newbies like me! Her little smile says it all! Wishing you a great weekend! Nicole xoxo

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    Replies
    1. Jo2 May 2014 at 07:54

      I have made two tops from the pattern and HIGHLY recommend it. Great tutorial, accurate shape pieces and once the paper was cut it took me an hour to make a tunic blouse and 40 mins to make the second one later in the day when I knew what to do. Good luck. Jo x

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  15. Sarah2 May 2014 at 18:39

    Oh my goodness, you are so clever! I would love to make something like this, one day, *sigh* :) Thank you for the advice regarding the bobbin, I think you are right and I never knew that would even matter! I am going to give it a try this weekend so I will let you know how I get on! Have a lovely weekend, Jo. :)

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  16. Unknown3 May 2014 at 20:05

    Lovely Jo this looks fab and I could see by my Little Peeps in it. You are such a clever lady Jo and always have such inspiring posts, this one was just fab, thank you so much. Big hugs and loves
    Dorothyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  17. Christina4 May 2014 at 21:39

    I have just given into the temptation and ordered the Peasant Dress pattern. I have washed the fabric I want to use and now have to wait for it to dry. Thanks for the recommendation.

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  18. the linen cloud4 May 2014 at 22:43

    Adorable ... the colour is beautiful ... Bee xx

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  19. Gillian Roe5 May 2014 at 18:21

    I think this is amazing! What a cool use for an old shirt, you've totally reinvented it. Upcycling at it's best. You are so clever Jo! x

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