A dress from the sweatshop

[beachlion]

Recently I bought a serger, a Singer Finishing Touch. I was preparing for summer so I thought I try to make a dress in denim. I combined the standard patterns of a T-shirt and a miniskirt. I did this before in jersey, without a zipper. That dress was quite shapeless because I had to pull it on over my head so I needed a belt. This time I put in a long zipper in front so I could make darts.

This was more or less a trial. The next one will have a lower neckline, a longer hem for flare and maybe slightly longer.

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I bought medium weight light denim and khaki so that will be my next dresses.

[pepsie1]

This is outstanding. I agree with your next time enhancements and would also suggest adding in-seam pockets. Can't wait to see the results.

[beachlion]

I went a little further with my test object. I added a collar to simulate a shirt collar, breast pockets and shoulder straps. Just to make it a little less lady like.

The collar is slightly too wide near the shoulder seam. The breast pockets are a tad too big and need a different form like a pointed bottom. I don't know about the shoulder straps. I like them on my pilot shirts.

I'm already preparing patterns for the next generation of dresses. It is a learning process but I like it.

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[Fred in Skirts]

From where I sit It looks very nice and I would wear it out if the hem was a little longer, say at the knees.

[beachlion]

From where I sit It looks very nice and I would wear it out if the hem was a little longer, say at the knees.

The next version will be 6 cm (about 2.5") longer and a little wider at the hem. It is like fine tuning a pattern to see what each change is doing to the whole concept.

[Freedomforall]

That is a very nice dress you created! It looks amazing.

[SkirtsDad]

I went a little further with my test object. I added a collar to simulate a shirt collar, breast pockets and shoulder straps. Just to make it a little less lady like.

The collar is slightly too wide near the shoulder seam. The breast pockets are a tad too big and need a different form like a pointed bottom. I don't know about the shoulder straps. I like them on my pilot shirts.

I'm already preparing patterns for the next generation of dresses. It is a learning process but I like it.

I definitely like the look. I'm fine with the length you already have, but I agree that the collar is too wide Being a big pocket fan, I also wonder if two further pockets might work for you. Something like the attacked would for me:

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[beachlion]

Besides face blurring, this is the first time I'm photo shopped. Thanks for the effort.

I agree on the smaller collar but the extra pockets are a reminder of aprons. I have an apron for my woodworking with pockets like that. I hope you don't mind skipping the extra pockets.

I have dissected an old T-shirt and a short sleeve shirt to reverse engineer a pattern. I think I have to buy old fashioned starch to stiffen the fabric. Then I can take measurements more accurately. Stay tuned.

[crfriend]

Whatever you do, don't lose the epaulettes. They add all sorts of class to the thing, and if they're actually functional have purpose.

[beachlion]

I still have some left overs from my military service with the Royal Dutch Air Force. It is the right color as far as I can see.

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[beachlion]

Another dress from the production line. I made it slightly longer and widened and lowered the neck area. The fit around the waist is a tad tighter and the hem a little wider.
To get a dress fitting right is much more difficult than a skirt. The fabric should hang right without folds in a normal posture. You should be able to move with ease. To order a pattern for a dress is quite useless because the female body has some attributes a male misses. And modifying such a pattern is a journey in the unknown for me. I have to find a dress pattern for a shirt dress or similar. But then I will be back at square one because that was my first attempt.

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[Grok]

Well done, beach lion.

[Fred in Skirts]

Looks great from where I am sitting. I wish I had the talent you have at sewing. I can do the usual buttons and minor mends but that is the limit.

[beachlion]

Thanks for the good words. It looks better than it is. I'm far from even reasonable but I'm learning. It will be more of an effort to step outside in a dress. And the lady of the house still has no idea that I'm making dresses. I have to find a way to introduce it to her.

[Freedomforall]

A job well done! You have talent.