Guys, I’m addicted to this pattern! As soon as I finished my first version of the Alder Shirtdress, I cut out a second one, this time in a treasured print! This is a Vlisco cotton that’s been in my stash for nearly a year, just waiting for the perfect project! Sadly, this particular print is sold out, but there are tons of gorgeous ones just waiting for you (look at this beauty!!! LOOK AT IT!!! Just don’t look at the price… I’d have to sell an organ to pay for this fabric, but WOW, it’s lovely!)
Part of the reason this fabric has been in my stash so long is that it’s such a large-scale print. It really looks cool when it isn’t broken up, but it’s a little challenging to use in a garment. I thought this pattern would be a nice one for it, but now that I’m looking at the photos, the effect in the front of the dress is kind of dizzying. There’s just a little too much going on! If I’d thought of it in time, I would’ve changed this up to make it a popover (instead of buttoning all the way down) to dial back the chaos. Since I didn’t do that, I may go back and remove the pockets. I like the pocket detail, but the dress looks so busy!
I really like the back, though! Seriously, look at the size of that starburst pattern! Crazy! I love it so much!
OK, here’s another nitpicky thing- I didn’t notice in my first version, but I’m getting some bubbling in the front high bust area. I probably need to adjust the pattern to fix that, but I felt like the shoulders fit well, so I’m not 100% sure what to do there. It’s not a huge problem, but I should probably work it out before I cut #3 out.
I decided to try a different method of finishing the armholes, but it didn’t work out as well as I’d hoped. I shouldn’t have strayed from the instructions! Other than that, I didn’t change anything in my construction. I forgot to mention last time, but I followed Andrea’s collar construction order– that’s become my default process for collars!
Pug belly!!!!!
I’m forcing myself to set this pattern aside (long enough to make a shirt for Man Friend, at least), but I’m really tempted to go straight into version #3! It’s true love!
Peggy says hi!
What are you guys sewing? Anything fun?
Ginger Makes... 
Ooh, I love it. The print and colours suit you well. I m not sewing anything as I am on holiday…yay…but I left my half finished denim jacket at home. Xx
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Hooray! Hope you had a great time!!!!!
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This is gorgeous, Sonja. I love the print and the pattern is perfect.
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Thanks, Lori! I’m still hoping you give this a try as it would be so cute on you!
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I LOVEEE this fabric paired with this pattern. I do not think it is dizzying at all!
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Hahahaha, thanks girl!
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Your posts always give me a Ginger Lift! I’ve been “into” African prints for a long time in my alternate quiltmaker’s universe, but had never heard of Vlisco. The Heart of the Heart of it! wowie!
Hugs, Tina in San Diego
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Aww, thanks, Tina! 🙂 Hope I didn’t do too much damage to your wallet! 😮
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I LOVE your dress, especially the back, where you have placed the pattern perfectly. Until I saw the photo of the back, I didn’t know what you were talking about when you said the front was busy. However, compared to the back, I do believe the front has less impact, and might be improved by either removing the pockets, or replacing them with pockets that match the print beneath them. The print is so powerful that the front top doesn’t match the front bottom. Vlisco fabric is new to me, and I am very excited to acquire some at the earliest opportunity. My next project is the Alder Sewalong, which starts tomorrow. I was going to do it in a chambray with birds printed on it, but, after seeing your sensational dress, I believe I may try it in a Lilly Pulitzer print instead.
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Ooh, Lilly Pulitzer sounds perfect for this style! Thanks for the tips- I think I will try to cut some matching pockets to reduce the print madness.
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Awesome! And that print is totally rad!
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Thanks, Monica! 🙂
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Dude THIS IS AWESOME!! Look at that print!! I loves me some gigantic crazy prints and this one is just too good. I also get that same pucker thing on my Archer shirts but the sleeves kinda help pull it out so it doesn’t bother me. I would like to know what causes it though so I can potentially fix it. A narrow shoulder adjustment? Hollow chest adjustment? …maybe both. I’m not sure.
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Man, I’m just not sure what the fit adjustment is! I’m so lousy at fitting!
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Wowee! This is GORGEOUS! The fabric is perfect for the pattern & it looks super comfy to wear! I think I’m going to have to avoid Vlisco entirely because that fabric is just too beautiful…!
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It’s so beautiful, isn’t it? I try not to even click on the site because I get so tempted!
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I am going to totally disagree with you. DO NOT CHANGE A THING! Your dress looks awesome! No to too busy, no to getting rid of the pockets. If you change it I will come over and hunt you down!! Ok, not really, but it is fabulous just as it is 😀
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Heeheehee, don’t hunt me down!!! 😀
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This fabric is amazing! I also can’t even see the pockets? Am I crazy? I think it looks awesome and you shouldn’t change anything about it because…. amaaazing.
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I really had to look for the pockets. The dress is perfect just the way it is.
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Thanks, girls! 🙂
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This is gorgeous! I love the fabric and you look amazing in it!
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Thanks lady! 🙂
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Leave it exactly how it is. I love the pockets and the back, like everyone else has said is awesome. Really really awesome.
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Thanks, Kirsty!
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what a fab little dress! that print is everything! and, i love the pockets, too, no need to change a thing
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Girl, I must have been channeling my inner mokosha when I made this cause it’s so your style! 🙂
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I think it looks great, not too dizzy-ing-fying-ish… But I’m the one who goes crazy with bright fabrics or crazy prints among my friends. Haha. I love the colors on the print. I’ve always been terrified of shirt dresses but it looks awesome on you. 😀
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Someone’s gotta be the crazy colors & prints girl and it might as well be us! Are you tempted to try a shirt dress now?
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Fantastic dress! That’s the right sort of style for the big print… you’ve inspired me once again. Vlisco fabric is stunning — certainly worth a bodily organ or two. Honestly we have so many of them. Surely there’s one I could spare!
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I mean, we have TWO kidneys, right? Like, what’s the harm in losing one? 😉
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That print is fabulous!!! Don’t tone down the crazy. It’s just right!
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Thanks, LJ! 🙂
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Love this. Love!!!
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Thanks, lady! 🙂
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This dress is amazing!
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Inna! Thank you! 😀
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The back made me go ‘ooooh’
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This is gorgeous! I don’t think it looks too busy at all, I like the abstract print divided up but that huge stardust on the back is fantastic! I’m really excited to sew up an Alder. Loving your new look too by the way!
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OMG I usually get on from a mobile device and today I’m using a real computer and OMG your banner is cute x10000 I like the dress too, but I’m still stuck on the Archer. I have all the pieces cut out but I’m freaking nervous for some reason. It’s like a really hard puzzle.
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Hi, I think your dress is fab, but I understand you are striving for perfection. So I would go with the lady above who said a narrow shoulder adjustment and I really think a square shoulder adjustment too. There is s good explanation on tanitisis.com. This keeps the armhole size the same and pivots the neckline to make the shoulder square. I find otherwise my collars stand up too much around my neck.
Ps I don’t think you need a lot just a little! Pps I really enjoy reading your blog. I always look at clothes that you make to show my daughter, you have a great eye. Keep it up:)
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This looks great, Sonja! That fabric is crazy awesome!
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Awesome fabric and pattern placement! I gotta get me some Vlisco…
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I don’t think the front looks bad busy, I think it looks good busy!! But you need to be happy so maybe take off the pockets. I think Peggy looks delightfully smug in that last photo heehee
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Heeheehee, she does look a bit smug, huh? 🙂
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Great shirt dress, Ginger!!! I should steel the idea and make my own shirt dress – luckily we can were summer clothes in Cyprus up until end of October… Worth a visit, if you get the hint 🙂
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I love you in these Alder Shirtdresses. They look great! I think both versions you’ve made are awesome. I’m so jealous that I can’t get this pregnant belly to fit in one! Ha! I’m counting down until I can sew with wovens again. I like the print a lot though!
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