Hi, friends! I finished two dresses last weekend for my short trip. I used "Reeta Midi Shirt Dress" by Named Clothing.
Rainy and humid season will arrive in Japan soon. I wanted to make an airy and quick- drying dress. Reeta Midi Shirt Dress is one of 2017 spring/summer patterns. I have made a shirt dress many times, this dress pattern was especially easy to make. I made two dresses from it because of it was easy and quick.
I used Irish linen called " Moon-viewing linen" by the fabric shop (Moon-viewing is a kind of event in Japan). It is printed with a lot of moons and flowers. I loved this fabric at first sight❤
I cut a size 36 (small). This pattern had a pleated chest pocket pattern. However, I made the simple ones instead because I wanted them to match the printed bodices.
I've made some clothes from Named Clothing patterns. I thought these patterns were shorter than other company's (Vogue, McCall's and Simplicity...) but Reeta Midi Shirt Dress is much longer than I expected! I checked the finished measurements of the dress length is 51 2/1 inches (130centimetres), and it was too long for me. Is that really a mid- length dress pattern? By the way, I am 5'4" and my maxi dress length is around 47 1/4 inches (120 centimetres). I shortened the dress length by 3 3/4 inches, raised the locations of the pockets by 2/4 inches and also raised the waist drawstring casing by one inch (because I wanted to tie a high waist leather belt).
I love the oriental chic. This maxi dress goes well with Japanese flip flops. I think most of women like shoes (me too), I collect Japanese flop flaps too. Surprisingly, they suit jeans style.
To be honest, when I saw this pattern the first time, I thought it looked like an old woman's dress. My grand mother used wear a dress like this one too, ha ha. BUT I love this dress.
Moving on. I used liberty tana-lawn. I squeezed these patterns onto the fabric, so I only used 45" 2 3/8yd (this Liberty fabrics are created in Japan so they are narrower than those made in England). I sewed the collar before sewing the back yoke to the bodice. I thought these pockets were too big for a small dress, so I cut them smaller than the original pattern. I sewed the hem with yellow bias binding cover.
I shortened the dress length by 11 inches and the sleeve length by 2 2/4 inches. Also, I raised the locations of the pockets by 2/4 inches and lowered the waist drawstring casing by 3 2/4 inch. I didn't make side slits.
I went around some countryside towns last weekend and I enjoyed myself while wearing these dresses. They were comfortable to wear. If you haven't made a shirt dress before, I recommend it. This pattern is good for warm season. Wishing you happy summer!
Fabric: Linen 60" 3 1/8 yd, Liberty 45" 2 3/8yd.
Total Time Spent: 10 hours