Sunday, July 31, 2016

Simplicity 8014 - Denim shirtdress w/ white topstitching

When this pattern came out last year I knew that I wanted the EXACT same dress as the example on the envelope. I chose a nice weighty denim from my stash which I have no idea where I bought it from nor what project it was purchased for. It has a good bit of stretch which I thought would be great for a somewhat fitted casual dress.


I cut a size 10 through the bust, tapering out to a 12 at the hips and through the shoulders. I also added 2 inches to the hemline. Probably I could have gotten away without the extra length since the top offers so much coverage.


I left off the in-seam pockets and folded the back into an inverted pleat instead of having gathers per the instructions. In this thick of a fabric I was worried the gathers might look funny and not lay flat.


I decided to add an elastic casing to the waist to give the dress even gathering distribution.


Dressform pictures:



I topstitched with white thread. The sleeve treatment is really interesting. That's a topstitched tuck instead of a bottom sleeve band, and the way it's sewn together there's no need to finish the edge or sew an invisible hem. 


The elastic waist casing was stitched with navy thread so that it disappears under the fabric belt. The buttons I purchased at JoAnn's.


Back inverted pleat:


Because my denim was so thick, I decided to use a contrasting fabric in various areas to cut down on bulk. I made a dress out of this fabric years ago and saved the remnant because I thought it was so cute.


Here you can see the contrast fabric at the inside yoke, waist casing and hem facing.


It's too hot to wear this dress currently - it's more of a fall outfit. I'm not sure why I decided to make it in the middle of July, but now I have a fun new outfit for when the weather turns slightly cooler.

Here's a photo bomb by my baby girl. She's nearly 6 years old and will start kindergarten in three weeks. Time is flying by with these kiddos!

58 comments:

  1. I love this dress! The sleeve detail is really cool, and I love the white topstitching.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Immaculate sewing as always!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Impeccable work, as always! I'm not sure what I love more--the shirt dress or the finishing touches with the remnant fabric. Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ok so it's probably too hot to wear this right now but it will be so cute come autumn. Perfectly done and great tip with the elastic.

      Delete
    2. I've always wanted to add bits of remnants to things and never do even though I have tons of tiny bits of fabric in my stash. It's such a fun touch. Thanks Vanessa!

      Delete
  4. Your dress is so cute! Wonderful job as always.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the design changes you made! Everything about this dress is gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautifully made and a real classic shirtdress you'll wear for many years during the cooler weather (I live in Houston). Karen

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful!! each details is so cute!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. that is so cute. I sewed this pattern in a similar way, denim as shown on the envelope and the back was really full, you were smart to do the pleats. and add the elastic casing. Will be cute with tights/boots in the fall.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well actually, seeing yours moved this up in my queue! I think your denim was a lot thinner and more appropriate for summer. Thanks Beth!

      Delete
  9. This is beautiful! Really cute.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Such a gorgeous dress and I cannot believe your daughter is going to kindergarten. Time flies

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, she is really growing up! We held on to her an extra year since her birthday is in late August - didn't want her to be the youngest AND the tiniest in her grade. Now she'll be the oldest and the tiniest. Hahaha. Thanks Lori!

      Delete
  11. Good call on the lighter weight fabric for the yoke lining, hem facing, etc. Beautiful dress!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Pamela! I've got to justify hanging onto all the remnants I have somehow. ;)

      Delete
  12. Very pretty! I'll be stealing that elastic casing idea, too!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. The topstitching is very well done.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have wanted to make this dress too since last year! I didn't realize it has an elastic waist. Your dress looks fab! Love the topstitching!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It doesn't have an elastic waist per the pattern or directions. That was my addition. Otherwise this dress doesn't have much shaping. I can't wait to see yours. Thanks Kyle!

      Delete
  15. Thank you so much for sharing your projects. I can't imagine having to keep up a blog with a busy family like yours. You make your projects look professional and approachable. I'm glad that you are sharing with us where you got your fabrics! It gives me the courage to source similar fabrics on Mood an other sites. We are currently living overseas so the fabric choices are not always the same, so your recommendations are a real help. Thanx!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I too plan to copy this EXACTLY. Yessssss. EXACTLY. It's phenomenal and everything I love in a dress.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha thanks Renee! I actually already removed the front pockets - they were a little small or something. Looked weird to me in the pictures. I like it much better now. I also am planning to wear a wide brown leather braided belt as the tie belt adds too much bulk at the waistline. Anyway, I can't wait to see yours if you are going to stitch it up soon. It's a perfect fall dress.

      Delete
  17. Okay, I am geeking out over your latest project! I love opening up your blog and seeing that you have made something new. The dress is so well made and you look lovely in it. I am going to try to make something like it. It would be perfect for casual Friday at my workplace. Oh, And your daughter is getting so tall!

    ReplyDelete
  18. You did such a fantastic job on this dress! Top stitching is my favorite thing to do... it just makes me giddy (as long as I do it right, and you killed it!) fantastic job!

    -Stefanie
    http://www.thestylesafari.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A fellow topstitching lover! How awesome! Thanks Stefanie!

      Delete
  19. Great dress Amanda! I have a very light piece of denim that I think would make a nice shirtdress like yours... hmmmm..

    Kiddos grow so fast, enjoy!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Margo! I can totally see you in this style.

      Delete
  20. You just sold this pattern. Simplicity owes you a commission. Your version is super cute!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol! Thank you Lorrwill! I did kind of copy the envelope example verbatim though. ;)

      Delete
  21. Well done Amanda. Your top stitching is perfect and I love the facings details. It looks great on you.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I've just cut this dress out in view D but with the longer straight hem of view C. My fabric is quite a heavy weight denim too and so I clicked on Google to see if there was something someone had done similar and this us how I came to see your blog. I prefer your version with the pleat but being a new sewer I'm not too sure how to do it. Also can I ask you about the collar and collar band? Did you interface it as it suggests and if so was it a light or medium weight iron on interfacing?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had to go feel the collar to see what I did. It's been awhile since I made this. Looks like I interfaced the bottom of the collar which I used a thinner cotton for, but not the top because the denim was already thick enough to keep its shape. As for the pleat, it's hard to explain in words... Basically, you compare the yoke to the bodice back to see how much fabric needs to be folded out. Then you find the center of the bodice back and fold a pleat so that the top edge is the same length as the yoke. You can sew the pleat or just press it before attaching the yoke. HTH! Good luck with your dress!

      Delete
    2. Also, I just saw your comment today. Comments on posts over 30 days old go straight to comment moderation, and I don't always check that too often. Sorry for the delayed response! You can always shoot me an email if you have a question on an older entry: amanda@amandasadventuresinsewing.com

      Delete
  23. Love, love. love the back pleat and elastic casing. I have some vintage patterns that I could use your techniques for. Your daughter is a little doll. I hope you sew a lot of dresses for her and matching outfits like my mother used to sew for herself, me and my younger sister. I remember all the clothes my mother made for me because they were so special.

    ReplyDelete