Well hiya peeps!

Okay…we all know there’s gonna be goofy photos of me riding my bike.

That’s pretty much a given.

But. Before we get to that, please allow me to chat up my Vintage Shirt Dress by Sew Over It. Sadly, the photos aren’t really doing the dress justice…G and I give high props to wedding photographers everywhere ’cause taking pictures of a white dress is not easy. Should I fail in highlighting some of the prettiest details, fear not. The Vintage Shirt Dress is all over the net, and with good reason. We’re all in love with its simple yet classic silhouette.

I discovered while surfing the net myself, that the most commonly recurring yellow flag about the Vintage Shirt Dress was the short bodice. Many bloggers report that the pattern’s waist sits above their own natural waistline. Well. You know what I’m thinking, don’t you? After just this issue with my last make {more on that in a bit}I was equal parts terrified and determined not to make the same mistake twice. I was feeling normal, in other words. And. Here’s the funny thing. I didn’t have to alter the length at all. In the above photo, I have put on a belt at my natural waistline and the seam hits exactly at the belt, not above the belt, and heavens….not below the belt. This is one of the reasons the fit on my McCalls shirt dress had me flummoxed….it must be designed for a reeeeelly short-waisted gal. 

The fabric is a cheery bicycle print hand selected for me by a sales associate at my local Fabricland. It’s 100% cotton, manufactured in Germany and feels like really nice quality. So….true story….I went into the fabric store intent on making a beeline to the buttons and then making an equally fast exit. But my ‘dealer‘ had other plans for me. Apparently a bolt had come in recently with my name all over it. And seriously, it would have been rude to have declined as much as a peek at it, amirite? Oh. My. Gosh. Bicycles! I was sold at hello. So yup…another not a stash buster…purchased in the merry month of May.

I’ve also included a detail shot of the notched collar and a hint towards my own addition…in-seam pockets.

Again difficult to see, but the the back bodice and the skirt each have two pleats in lieu of darts. My muslin gaped a bit at the armhole so I removed a small v-shaped wedge from my back bodice pattern {at the armhole near the shoulder}. The dress is fully lined with bemberg rayon. Not only does it feel cool and light, but it’s an easy way to neatly finish the armholes…not that the suggested bias binding method is difficult.

I placed my buttonholes closer together and hence, chose a smaller size than recommended. I love the pale pink, but did I choose too small? wonders me. Note to self….must find pink bicycle tires.

So…how are you guys doing? We’re well into spring here in Vancouver…but our weather has been finicky at best. That being said, nature soldiers on. Just look at these Canada Geese Goslings in their so ugly they’re cute phase….doesn’t that guy {or gal} have attitude.

Yeah…so…I was never in danger, these guys were pretty chill.

I had to include this final pic. There was this single photo in the bunch with my face sunlit. It feels like a little message from heaven to embrace the simple and the good. Be well my friends.

Two quick things before signing off….

#sewtogetherforsummer is in its final week! I’ll be back…like super soon…with the Kalle Shirt Dress, my final contribution to the challenge.

And many, many, many thanks for all your suggestions regarding my Bus Stop Shirt Dress fitting woes. Where I saw only darkness…a massive exaggeration on my part…you saw possibility! I may just prep this baby for some minor surgery! I’ll keep you posted.

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