Frances Shirt dress

I have been musing for a shirt dress for quite a while now.

because I wanted one so much I have been a bit picky about which pattern I chose. I wanted it to be really right for my shape. I am short and I have a really short back neck to waist measurement making me short-waisted with a swayback. If I choose a shirt dress that relies on the belt for a shape, I look like I have been tied together just under by bosoms!

So it is with some trepidation that I bought this pattern as a kit with fabric included in the January Sales for £16.22 from Craftsy. The lovely model wearing it looked fabulous but she was tall with a long body. But when the pattern arrived I pondered: where would the shape come from? But you should always turn a pattern over...

Yay!It had front and back darts which I then intended to lengthen and tweek further.

My back darts eventually went all the way up to the yoke seam and past my bottom with much more depth at the waist. This one is not pressed yet so you can see it.

My front darts went all the way up to the pocket and were also much deeper at the waist.

With these adjustments the belt tie is not rucking so much at my waist. I then decided I needed to half the width of the belt to give me a few more vital centimeteres of body length exposure. 

I made it over a whole week, doing it properly, taking my time, enjoying making this 'thing' I have wanted for so long. I even took the collar off and put it on again because it was not as flat as it could be on the underside. Oh my, I am correcting the bits people can't even see now.

 

I am going to wear it with leggings while the weather still chills and then it will be with bare legs in the summer.

The testing question I always ask myself after a make. 

Would I make this again? Oh yes. 

Shall I put my name label inside? yes, I am really proud of it.

Thanks for looking.