Pattern variation
Adding a full skirt to to The Flip Collar Shirt Dress

The Flip Collar Shirt Dress is a great pattern to play around with. The pattern comes with three options but last year I made an oversized button through shirt dress, see here. Then this year I decided to try adding a gathered lower section to accentuate the roomy oversized feel.

I chose a cotton lawn to keep cool on hot summer days and dyed the fabric using Dylon Fabric Dye in Fresh Orange.

I made the size M - 12/14 cutting out the top section of the dress as the pattern with no alterations. For the lower skirt section, I cut two rectangles 128 cm wide by 88cm long – this includes the 1cm seam allowance at the waist and side seams and a generous 8cm deep finished hem. The deep hem compliments the sleeve cuff and adds a little weight to the skirt so it hangs nicely. The overall dress length is 120cm from side neck to hem.

To make up the dress follows steps 1 to 3 as instructed. At step 4 take the two rectangles for the skirt and with the longest machine stitch, run a line of stitching along the top just under 1cm from the edge. Leave long thread ends at the start and finish and do not back stitch to secure. Holding the top thread, pull the bobbin thread to gather the fabric up to the same measurement as the top of the garment. Tie the thread ends and change the machine stitch length back to the regular length. Stitch another line of stitching on top of the gathers to secure. Now continue following the instructions for variation A in the pattern. At the hem turn over the fabric by 1cm and press then a further 8cm and press, now stitch in place.

This variation takes an additional metre of fabric.