Feeling like Spring | A Black Eyelet Shirt Dress!

12:00 AM


As you all have probably learned about me, it all starts with the fabric.  The fabric will always be my muse!  It tells me what it wants to become.  And during an occasional stroll through my local Jo-anns, I spotted this great black cotton eyelet fabric.  It told me that it wanted to become a shirt dress with a full skirt.  And I obliged.
In order to get the silhouette I wanted, I needed to frankenpattern.  I use Butterick 5897 for the bodice and McCall's 6842 for the skirt.  
For the bodice, I started with view A of Butterick 5897.  I cut the size 16, but I immediately started shaving it down.  This shirt has a lot of ease.  I had to take in each side 3.75".  This top has hidden button and button holes, so for the fly I used a black cotton voile I found at Hancock.  I used it also for the collar, stand and lining.
Even though the pattern suggested that the facings and fly be interfaced, I decided to omit it.  I felt that my two fabrics combined had enough body to support the design.  Nor did I interface the pocket flap.  This was a personal judgment call.  
For the skirt, I cut view D of McCall's 6842.  I partially-lined it.  Meaning that I stopped my lining around the point that view A of this skirt should've been cut.  I wanted to play up the eyelet fabric.  I've been seeing lots of styles with eyelet, open weaves, and mesh fabrics with that half-lined look... and this is an element that I decided to add.  And instead of having the zipper opening at the center back, I moved it to the right side.  And I left the skirt unhemmed.  I loved the way the fabric looked raw, with the slight fraying.
Since this dress has a significant waist seam and this fabric has no stretch, I added an invisible zipper to the right side... right below the arm hole to the right above the hipbone.  Just so that I could unbutton the front, unzip and pull it on.
This look is called "designs that reveal and conceal".  Which is also a reason why I decided to leave the bodice unlined and to just wear a full-coverage black bra.  It's a good "peek-a-boo" effect with a fabric that  is still substantial enough to offer overall good coverage.

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49 comments

  1. Meg2:35 AM

    LOVE!

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  2. Dei4:57 AM

    Reveal and conceal. Love, love, love this. And the shoes...sigh.

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  3. Anonymous5:32 AM

    Great job, so RTW. Total inspiration!

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  4. Sheila6:52 AM

    Lovely dress.

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  5. Bunny8:22 AM

    Wonderful!

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  6. Peter Lappin8:28 AM

    Love it. Great idea not to hem it -- it retains the light lacy look that's so beautiful. (Eyelet can be heavy.)

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  7. Kitty Couture8:30 AM

    What a beautiful dress - the whole look is great!!

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  8. Amanda S.8:35 AM

    Great look Erica!

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  9. Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)9:37 AM

    Stunning! Especially like the pocket detail on the bodice.

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    Replies
    1. Erica Bunker11:39 AM

      Thanks Carolyn! I like the pocket detail too!

      Delete
  10. SewCraftyChemist9:48 AM

    Oh. Now I am LOVING this look!!! So gorgeous and light and airy - even in black! Just perfection. Now, c'mon spring!!

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  11. SEWN11:05 AM

    Gorgeous dress. Love it!

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  12. Sew Urbane11:51 AM

    Love what you did with the 2 patterns. Pretty dress

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  13. The Sewing CPA1:37 PM

    Amazing! Very beautiful.

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  14. Unknown2:02 PM

    Lovely, love your ideas.

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  15. Faye Lewis5:09 PM

    It is very beauttiful!

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  16. Unknown5:24 PM

    You look beautiful! I love your dress and your ability to make it your own.

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  17. Levone6:11 PM

    Gorgeous dress and very flattering on you!

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  18. Noriecreates7:35 PM

    Love love the mash up of these two patterns and that eyelet is beautiful!

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  19. Unknown9:16 PM

    Love this dress, and the shoes!

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  20. marcy harriell | oonaballoona9:26 PM

    i am so jonesing this dress.

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  21. TheTellTaleTasha8:39 AM

    I saw the pic and was like "Oh YEA, Erica?!" lol love it!

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  22. Carol9:06 AM

    Yay Spring!! Your dress has melted some Chicago Snow!!

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    Replies
    1. Erica Bunker9:15 AM

      Carol, Chicago needs all the help it can get! Thanks!

      Delete
  23. DanaRose10:45 AM

    Love this look! I like that you balance the more conservative look of a shirt-dress with the edgier "reveal" of the eyelet. I've been wanting to making something with eyelets for ages. This dress is inspiring!

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  24. Kelly1:13 PM

    Very imagitive. Such a stylish look. Love the pick clutch to add a touch of color.

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  25. Susan4:01 PM

    How are you this amazing?! This eyelet dress "is everything"! You look amazing. The fabric is beautiful and you are show-casing it perfectly.

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  26. Josie8:19 PM

    This is just fantabulous! I love how you create, it inspires me to look at patterns/fabric with new eyes :-)

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  27. Cennetta9:02 PM

    Fabulous, Erica. Thank you for the inspiration and great idea.

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