Saturday, August 23, 2014

Grainline Studio - the Alder Shirtdress!


Alert, Grainline Studio fans - a dress! And it comes in two beautiful sleeveless versions - one with unadorned shirt styling, and one (which caught my eye) with a partially gathered skirt.

Both have classic shirtdress styling: a button-band front, yoked upper back with a dropped front shoulder, front bodice pockets, and shirt-tail hemlines. And yes, bust darts.


I love the gathered skirt. It just adds so much comfort and ease to the dress. 


And it's so good-looking!


You might notice that my dress does not have a collar...I just don't do collars :-) So here are the changes and adjustments I made to the pattern:

  • I drafted from a size 14.
  • Once the shoulder seams were sewn, I reshaped the front to a V-Neck and dropped the center back neckline about 1/2".  And drafted a facing for the neckline.
Fabric: Cotton calico from Holly Lobby

  • The right bodice front has an attached button band, while the left front is has a cut-on facing. I used the left front pattern for both sides, eliminating the attached band. Topstitching gives the appearance of a banded edge.
  • I used broadcloth interlining in both front facings, instead of fusible interfacing. Often I find that fusible interfacing locks and stiffens a facing too much - I wanted to be sure that the front bands were fluid given their length.
  • I added side seam pockets 3.5" below the waistline.
  • I also redrafted the front skirt to be same length and shape as the back skirt. And flattened and lengthened the curve at the side seam so it would be a bit more forgiving to hem! My reasoning for changing the front length - well, I'm 66 and just don't wear mini's anymore! 

  • The pattern calls for faced armholes. I trimmed the armholes instead and used self-fabric bias binding to finish them. This is a comfort thing for me.
  • The bust dart is placed as expected with a Big 5 pattern - I moved it down 1.5".
  • Another adjustment I typically make, I narrowed the side seam at the armhole by 5/8" and cured it down to the waist.
  • The bodice length was spot on! And I'm 5'7". 
  • I added 5/8" to the hem allowance, just so I could be more generous in my hem turn. 
Seems like a lot! But it really wasn't. I generally spend a lot of time with a pattern before I draft my tissue, it's part of what I enjoy most about sewing.

A few more views on Emile...




About the pattern: Beautifully drafted and includes 1/2" seam allowances, my favorite since I like to cut/serge my seam allowances. The instruction booklet is so well done, it should make this dress approachable for many levels of sewists. I've seen a couple versions of this dress on Kollabora and in the blogosphere. I'm smitten.


Ciao! Coco

18 comments:

  1. Another great summer dress! It looks lovely on you:)

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  2. Love the fabric, and the dress is really perfect for this hot and humid weather. No minis for me, either!

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  3. Beautiful airy summer dress, and I love the length!

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  4. Lovely dress. So bright and cheerful.

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  5. It's lovely - I like the flat front with gathers starting further back. The hi-li hem looks fun to wear as well. Good idea not to do collars, especially in a hot climate.

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  6. You can't bet a good shirt dress and the gathered skirt makes this one a bit different.

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  7. That is such a fun dress! And I like the fabric you used. I like the way you did the neckline better than a collar.

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  8. I've seen several versions of this dress, but yours is the first that makes me think I might like one for myself! I really love the way you handled the neckline. Wonderful and inspiring.

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  9. Nice dress. Looks very comfy for warm/hot summer days!

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  10. Another cool, summer dress--you always pick the fun patterns and make them so you!

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  11. Love it! This is on my cutting table now, and I was thinking I shouldn't do the gathered skirt...but now I may need one of each! It looks really great on you.

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  12. I love the polka dot fabric! Over the years...years as in eons...I've seen a lot of patterns that I liked except for the neck...usually a collar of some kind...so I would pass them by, the Alder dress being one. Just maybe it would be fun to make (minor) changes to a pattern...spend time with it like you do. Thanks!!! .

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  13. This is a winner! The fabric, color, print, style lines...all of it is so cute. I like the simplicity of the neckline without a fussy collar.

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  14. This looks REALLY comfortable so this is a winner. I love the polka dot fabric, just to cute!

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  15. Definitely a cute and unusual sundress pattern. It looks great on you and the fabric is a fun color and print.

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  16. What a lovely version, the V neckline is a great idea! I'm in love with your fabric too.

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I love it that you came by...and thank you for your comments! Coco