Finished - an epic mashup shirtdress

Stubbornness or determination? Both basically mean the same thing don’t they, it’s just the context in which they are used that determines if the trait is a positive or negative one..... anyway I’m well aware that I’m both stubborn and determined and this became obvious last year when I decided that I wanted a loose fitting post partum shirtdress that was Kalle-esque or perhaps Blaire-esque. Both patterns for gorgeous frocks but I had a mule-like moment (perhaps triggered by the knowledge I wouldn’t be working for 6 months) and decided that surely, SURELY I could mash up something in my collection to get a similar style without buying yet another pattern.... (of course I did end up buying the Kalle but lets not dwell on that).




And so I did. Don’t ask me to remember the exact nitty gritty but I started with the Sew Over It Alex shirt dress (from their Capsule Collection) for its placket, lack of back yoke and straight loose fit. A yoke would definitely have complicated things. I added the neckline, collar and collar stand of the Named Helmi shirt. I used the shoulder and cut on sleeve shape of Marilla Walker’s Maya top pattern (massive shoutout to Marilla who kindly resent me the A0 copy version that she released a couple of years after the original came out - I was too fat and lazy to be bothered reprinting and taping). Then played around with the Leisl and Co Bento tee cuffs until they fit the sleeve openings.... it was a faff, I’ll admit, but I got there in the end. Most epic mashup ever!







The fabric is from Tessuti, and is a curious cheese clothy- double gauzy- seersuckery linen cotton blend from memory. It’s two layers of fabric woven in a cool geometric pattern. The wrinkly texture allows one to get away without ironing, if one is time poor. The buttons are from the fantastic Arrow Mountain, a buttonmaker based here in Melbourne. They’re bamboo and I’m pleased to say are holding up well to fairly frequent gentle machine washing.


I was so pleased with my frock that I couldn’t bear to risk trashing it with my old machines crappy buttonhole function, so had great fun trying the automatic buttonhole function on Anna’s Bernina. Reminded me a bit of the auto parking function on my VW Golf. Which I have never been brave enough to use!

It’s been a great dress to wear this past summer and autumn, good for breastfeeding access and fantastic for its relaxed lumpy-body skimming fit. I like it so much I know I’ll still be wearing it next summer! What’s the mashiest supermash mashup you’ve ever attempted?













Comments

  1. love the dress - I have been meaning to make the blair shirt dress for a while (its similar to your make) and now totally going to have to ....great make-looks gorgeous, v inspired!

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    1. Thankyou Eimear! It’s a universally flattering style I think! Hope your Blaire goes well, the pockets are very cool!

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  2. That is an epic mash up! It looks awesome, that fabric is great and I love the bamboo buttons with it! I need to get my Arrow Mountain buttons out, I put them away safely and keep forgetting to use them...

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  3. indeed the most epic of mashups and you totally succeeded in attaining a really cute dress. I'm so keen to make something worthy of some arrow mountain buttons one day!

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    1. Thanks Carolyn! I’m pretty certain everything you make is very worthy of Arrow Mountain buttons!

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  4. I love this dress! You did a great job mashing up the four patterns to get what you were looking for. I loved reading your post and going - hey that's exactly what I say every time I see a pattern I like - "surely I can make it from something I've already got in my stash"...I like to think of it as thriftfullness, rather than stinginess.

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    1. Thanks so much! Yeah it would have been easier to just buy one of the others at the time but I really enjoyed the challenge too!

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  5. Great mash up - the fabric looks luscious ;o)

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    1. Thanks Colette! It’s great, but I always forget how bulky double gauze can be!

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  6. I used Melilot, lengthened + Archer's bum ruffle for a relaxed winter shirtdress...now I'm trying to mash the Archer pattern with the Negroni (I want a convertible collar, dammit!). That gauze is beautiful and however you cut and taped that dress together, it all looks totally harmonious.

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    1. Ooh that’s some great mashing right there! When I’m not completely knackered I do love the problem solving process for mashing up a pattern!

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  7. You are the mash up queen extraordinaire!! This looks fab and I think secretly you love the challenge of a hack. If you bought a suitable pattern where would be the fun in that? Me? I’m the most revolting goody two shoes one shall ever meet. Hash? I wouldn’t dare.

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    1. You’re right lovely, I do love the challenge! Xx

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