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Grainline Studio Alder Shirt Dress Sewing Pattern Review
Hello chums!
I am super excited to share my second Alder shirt dress sewing project. Since sewing my palm trees & flamingos Alder in summer, it made me realise how much I like love this pattern. Ergo I also sewed up the bum ruffle version.
Was it true to size?
My bust, waist and hip measurement fitted squarely into Size 2. I didn’t change anything. At. All. Initially, I considered bringing it in at the waist to give more shaping but I am so glad I didn’t get round to doing that. I love it exactly as is! It is so comfortable.
John Kaldor cotton lawn dress fabric
The fabric is a John Kaldor cotton lawn dress fabric I bought from Minerva Crafts on a whim. I fell in love with this unusual abstract print in teals, sea green and mustard on a deep navy background. Its the perfect weight for sewing clothes for summer holidays! It works layered in fall and winter as well.
Self covered buttons sewing drama
The buttons were a true labor of love of me. Self covered buttons are nice to look at but not as easy to make! I used 11mm Pymm metallic ones and I doubt I shall repeat that experience any time soon. Were it not for that tedious section this dress would have taken less than 3 days to complete. But since my mind had fixated on self covered buttons and would not accept a substitute, I was stuck desperately pushing myself to complete one button a day. I rarely managed more than one button due to the frustration and sense of futility after 30 mins of wrestling with teeny bits of fraying fabric and only having a single button to show for it. There were 8 buttons………
I digress. Seriously though – as with the first one – this was so much fun to make (till the buttons). I followed the sewalong on the Grainline website which is excellent!
Grainline Studio Alder Shirtdress View B
Grainline Studio Alder Shirtdress – LOVE IT!!!
Grainline Studio Alder Shirtdress sewn using John Kaldor cotton lawn fabric
Grainline Studio Alder Shirtdress
Grainline Studio Alder Shirtdress – Back view of the bum ruffle
Grainline Studio Alder Shirtdress – How I like to wear it, top 2 buttons undone.
Grainline Studio Alder Shirtdress
Grainline Studio Alder Shirtdress – collar close up
Grainline Studio Alder Shirtdress – Back yoke close up
Grainline Studio Alder Shirtdress – side view showing the gathering
Grainline Studio Alder Shirtdress – best collar I have ever sewn!
Grainline Studio Alder Shirtdress – styled for winter with tights and a thermal top
See all my Alders on this Youtube Video
Future plans
On the horizon – I am quite excited about going to the Yorkshire spoolettes meet up in a few weeks. Ali who blogs over at thimberlina.wordpress.com has arranged it so click on over to see details and maybe if you are free you could come along too :-). I am reliably informed that the more the merrier. This is going to be tricky since I am avowed (loosely) to only add 1 to stash for every 4 used. SO I guess I need to be cutting out a lot of projects in the next few weeks. Cutting out counts as used right?…..Right?……………….It DOES!………Right!?!……….<looks for support>……….
Thanks for stopping by!
Hila
tinylittlesoprano
January 12, 2016 12:27 amOoh! Pretty sure that is the best shirt dress I have ever seen. So cool! And yes, I agree, cutting out totally counts as used. 😉
Hila
January 12, 2016 3:32 pmOh thank you! I knew cutting out counts as used😁
corrineappleby
January 12, 2016 12:37 amCutting out is definitely using up the stash! ✂✂ See you in Dewsbury! Your shirt dress is lovely by the way – great colours!
Hila
January 12, 2016 3:31 pmYes! Someones speaking my kind of logic😁
idaaidasewing
January 12, 2016 12:46 amgorgeous as always, have fun in the meet up!!!
Hila
January 12, 2016 3:30 pmThanks! I will blog all about it😁
RED
January 12, 2016 1:36 amBum ruffle – hahaha, I love it! I love how it’s a perfect summer dress but then you layer it so well for the cooler weather. <3
Hila
January 12, 2016 3:30 pmIts turned to be quite versatile. I see a flannel one in the future……
RED
January 12, 2016 4:47 pmOoh, can’t wait to see that one. 🙂 I might have to just go out and buy the darn pattern. It’s just so cute!
qplourde
January 12, 2016 2:55 amReally cute dress! I’m sure you will appreciate all the work with the buttons in time. :o)
Hila
January 12, 2016 3:29 pmThank you!
Cocos Loft
January 12, 2016 5:18 amJust adorable. The Alder bum version is one of my favorite patterns – I think you’ve inspired me to make a funky animal print one as my next make!
Hila
January 12, 2016 3:29 pmOh animal print Alder would be gorgeous and fierce🐯.
Carly
January 12, 2016 7:20 amLovely dres! I love the ruffle version and your print is perfect for the pattern!
Hila
January 12, 2016 3:28 pmThanks Carly😘. That means so much to me coming from THE queen of Alders imho!
sewmanju
January 12, 2016 7:23 amVery nice and love how you’ve styled it for both seasons. Looks great on you.
Hila
January 12, 2016 3:26 pmThank you!😘
Thimberlina
January 12, 2016 9:15 amLove the shirt Hila! Looks great as a tunic sort of length too! Haven’t you got one of the ‘things’ to help with the buttons?? I’ve just had a look and minerva sell them….
https://www.minervacrafts.com/shop/sewing/buttons/673170-prym-universal-buttons-cover-tool-each?gclid=Cj0KEQiA5dK0BRCr49qDzILe74UBEiQA_6gA-nHXd2VvKSx0xVwlqn2y9qgv1K2kmPNo-RRlTcqDYIcaAivK8P8HAQ
They make it so easy, I’ll fetch mine to Dewsbury if you want and show you!! Not long now….thanks for the mention! 😀
Hila
January 12, 2016 3:26 pmThank you! I hadnt heard of them. I’d love to see how it works – they didnt have them in the haberdashery where i picked up the buttons.
Thimberlina
January 12, 2016 3:32 pmYou’ll be making 100s of them once you get one! 😃
Hila
January 12, 2016 3:34 pmSweet!
lifeaworkinprogress.com
January 12, 2016 11:15 amIt would count if you had somewhere to keep it not on the stash shelves. Couture houses sometimes make handy calico bags [like we used to keep our P.E. shoes in] to put cut out garments and works in progress with notes pinned on what was inside and what was to be done. Perhaps a row of pegs in the work room might suffice? Love the dress, the buttons make it special too.
JaneyB
January 12, 2016 11:16 amThis looks great and I really like that it goes so well with tights and boots as well. The buttons were definitely worth it but they do sound like hard work! I also like the pirate costume in the background of one of your shots!
Hila
January 12, 2016 3:23 pmLols my second one was dressed as a pirate all spring and summer😁.
lovelucie1
January 12, 2016 1:32 pmLove that fabric. Just perfect for that pattern. See you in Dewsbury! The place won’t know what’s hit it!
Hila
January 12, 2016 3:22 pmIts awesome you are coming too! Looking forward to seeing you there😘
lovelucie1
January 12, 2016 3:26 pmIt’s a mere couple of miles away for me. I was so pleased it fell on a Saturday.
Hila
January 12, 2016 3:33 pmI am glad it fell on the one Saturday that has no commitments requiring me so I took it as a sign😃
lisa g
January 12, 2016 2:13 pmWhat a great fabric choice for the Alder! I love it. Excellent job on the top stitching.
Hila
January 12, 2016 3:21 pmThanks Lisa!
teri dodds
January 12, 2016 3:03 pmThat dress is super fun! I love the fabric you used and the bum ruffle version is just so much fun. Great job on those covered buttons. I’m sure I would have given up after the first one!
Hila
January 12, 2016 3:20 pmThanks Teri! Its quite an unusual dress that has got a lot os compliments when i have worn it.
Andie W.
January 12, 2016 5:04 pmYour Alder dress is absolutely fantastic. I love the print and it looks so good on you. The fit is perfect! 🙂 🙂
Hila
January 12, 2016 5:28 pmThanks Andie!
themateriallady
January 12, 2016 10:48 pmYour dress looks great – and I hadn’t considered using it as a layering garment but you have it nailed.
I hate covering buttons and haven’t made any myself since I discovered Harlequin. They turn round fast, aren’t expensive, and make a better job than me. Oh, and they make belts. Fabulous.
Hila
January 14, 2016 8:15 pmOh thanks for the tip! I love the idea of making something with a matching belt. Clicking through to see if they post to the UK.
themateriallady
January 15, 2016 11:54 amThey are based in Manningtree in Essex. I have used them for years and found them extremely reliable.
Hila
January 15, 2016 11:57 amEven better!
notsewsimple
January 13, 2016 11:20 pmI love the Alder style – it looks lovely on you and the print is fabulous. Well done for getting outside to get pics – I havent managed to get out once so far this year!
Louise
Hila
January 14, 2016 8:12 pmThank you! I finished this end of August so the pictures were taken first week of September – just took me ages to get to blog it. Weather is pretty rubbish here too.
Gail
January 14, 2016 1:07 amAbsolutely perfect! I adore everything about your dress ~ fabric, fit, & especially the “bum” ruffle. I really have not cared for the ruffle until your dress. Love it!
Hila
January 14, 2016 8:11 pmThanks Gail! I wasnt too sure about the bum ruffle but I am glad I went for it 🙂
Clarinda Kaleidoscope
January 16, 2016 9:17 amThe Alder really suits you and doesn’t it look great layered up. Aww, wish I could join you Yorkshire lasses on your meet-up – lots of my favourite bloggers I see!
Hila
January 16, 2016 9:11 pmThanks Clarinda! I was surprised at how versatile it turned out to be. Am looking for a flannel material to make a flannel one.
Linda of Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!
January 17, 2016 3:32 amNicely done. A dress that’s good for lots of seasons!
Hila
January 17, 2016 4:16 pmThanks Linda!
fabrickated
January 18, 2016 1:11 pmGreat colours. I love it.
sewsincity
January 22, 2016 2:59 pmAhh! I love this on you! I don’t know what I’m waiting for with making this pattern, I’ve got it all taped together & that’s the most unsatisfying part!
laurajane
February 3, 2016 4:41 pmSo pretty! Five kids and you have time to sew? Amazing!!! I want to make this in a Vlisco voile I just ordered. Thanks for the inspiration!
SewSouthLondon
February 11, 2016 10:28 amHila, this is gorgeous! I’m just gearing up for my first Alder. So glad you made version B too. Your version A was lovely but the bum ruffle one gets my vote!
Hila
February 11, 2016 10:35 amThank you! I am wearing it today as it happens😃. Its a winner. I take it you will be making the bum ruffle version?
SewSouthLondon
February 12, 2016 2:56 amYes I will, but thinking of toiling version A first as I’m puzzling over the sizing. If I go by bust size the rest of the dress sounds a bit too roomy! Jen does stress in the sewalong to trust the measurement charts….
Hila
February 12, 2016 7:25 amI do agree with Jen there
. My first Alder made me realise that I should see what the designer intended before changing things around. Toiling is a great idea like that. Good luck!