Fashion has being my life and living right from when I was in my mama stomach because my mother is a great fashionista and I was brought up in it, so fashion to me is a living rather than an experience or occupation.
Today we are going to be doing something new which the cutting and sewing of a shirt dress.
What is a shirt dress? It is exactly what it sounds like. Literally a shirt is a top that is buttoned down at the front with a collar at the neck but when it turns into a shirt dress that means a shirt that is long enough to be worn as a dress. You can get a shirt dress by buying it as a ready made dress or by getting a fabric and make your own dress to your taste.
When a shirt dress is well slayed, styled and well worn it looks so chic and classic.
For people who loves to made there dress themselves or who loves to try out new things is time to learn how to cut and sew a shirt dress.
Project:
A shirt dress
Things needed
2 yards of fashion fabric
1 dozen of buttons
Stay, matching thread, tape measurement, tailor’s chalk,hand needle and a sewing machine.
Step1
Taking of the measurement: the essential places needed to measure are burst, waist, hips, neck, shoulder, short length.
Burst
Waist
Hips
Neck
Shoulder
Shirt length
Step2
Drafting of the measurement on the fabric.
The back is the first part to be cut out, the fabric will be placed on the table or on the floor, then fold it into two the size to be folded will depend on the hips or the burst depending on which is wider on the individual.
Step3
Place your tape rule on the upper part of the fabric which represent the shoulder mark 8. Thereafter locate 8, 10, 16, 23 inches down from the shoulder thick it down on the fabric respectively. The 8inches will be used to shape the armhole link the point marked to where the burst will be marked. Place the tape rule horizontally across the marked point the burst and also place it on where 16 inches was marked to locate the waist same also on point 23 to locate the hips. Remember to add the sewing allowance, make use of your tailor’s chalk to joint the points together neatly. Measure and mark the full length of the of the dress also.
Step4
Is time to cut out the drafted part out of the main fabric. The drafted part will be cut out by following and tracing the chalk with the scissors.
Step5
Fold another portion of the fabric into two to cut the front side. The front side is quite easy now it will be done by placing the back on it but 2 inches will be left at the front center which will be used to work out the button. When all of this is done cut it out then divide the front into two equal size.
Step6
Cutting of the neck
Mark 2.5 inches on the shoulder and 1inch down shape it together and cut it out. Then for the front fold the button allowance inward to be of the same size as the back, thereafter mark 2.5 inches also on the shoulder and 3inches down link the two point together to form half of a U shaped curve then cut it out.
Step7
Cutting of the sleeve
Fold the fabric for easy and accuracy place the armhole on the folded part trace it out. The ¾ sleeve earlier measured is 23 subtract 8inches from it which represent the shoulder. Mark 15 inches down, mark the round sleeve also and cut it out.
Step8
Cutting of the collar
The total neck earlier measured is 14 add 1inch to it that makes it 15incheafir comfort. For a sole shirt dress will we be cutting a simple collar. Fold the fabric into two measure 5inches for the breath and 16inches for the length cut it out, then make use of a pressing iron to fold it into ratio 1.5:3.5, 1.5 for the collar stand and 3.5 for the collar itself.
Sewing
Once you have gotten the perfect idea of the cutting the sewing aspect is quite easy and simple.
Step1
Make use of a pressing iron to fold the space that is left for the button and also after folding place your stay on the folded part and use the iron to fix it together. Thereafter make use of your machine to sew the folded part of both side neatly.
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Step2
Place the shoulder of both the back and front on each other and sew it together.
Step3
Make use of tailor’s pin to hold the space for the button together so as to ensure accuracy before giving the dress shape. After it is done place the back and front on each other start the sewing from the edge if the armhole by placing your tape rule horizontally across the fabric to get the perfect measurement before sewing it. Same method will be use to sew both side of the dress.
Step4
Hem or sew the edge of the sleeve then join the side together before fixing it together with the armhole.
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Step5
Make use of a iron to press the stay on the collar then join the two side of the collar together after shaping it out to your desired shape. Firstly join one side of the collar to the neck then secondly use the other side to close it neatly.
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Step6
Hem or sew the edge of the fabric.
Step7
Mark the interval at which you want the button to be fixed with a tailoring chalk. If you have a button hole machine make use of it to make the hole but if not make use of the normal sewing machine by reversing the machine on the point severally. Thereafter, fix the button with needle and thread on the other side of the button hole.
There you have it your Shirt dress is ready.
Ways to Rock a shirt dress
Literally shirt dress are causal and very versatile it can be easily worn even on your way out while in a hurry and can be pulled off easily. You can crate a multitude of outfit from this straight forward dress.
Here are some of the ways
• A denim shirt dress can be worn with a fun sneaker and a cute hat for a perfect casual day.
• If you are the type that doesn’t like showing off some flesh a skinny jeans will be perfect under it but ensure that the shirt dress is a shorter one add heels to make it classic.
• A shirt dress can look glamorous by wearing a shirt dress with a low-heeled ankle boot.
• A shirt dress can also be worn over a crop top and a mini skirt with a pair of flat shoes
• Add a leather jacket or a blazer for a more serious look and a sun glasses.
Places it can be worn to/ occasions
• To the office: ensure it is a longer one with or without leggings. Thereafter add a professional blazers or jacket.
• To class: if you are thinking of looking classy to class. A shirt dress is just perfect.
• For dates: it makes you comfortable and still looking incredibly sexy.
• To friends gathering
• Religious places
• ETC
Thanks for reading through.