Shirtdresses are a timeless classic and I’m loving them more than ever this summer. They can easily look cute and casual or more dressed up at the switch of an accessory, and they still keep you cool all season long. If you’re looking to add a shirtdress to your wardrobe this summer, Mood can help out with a few free patterns, namely the Lunaria Dress, the Lantana Maxi Shirt, and the Cypress Dress. But how to decide what kind of fabric to use? Let’s take a look at a few of the best fabrics to use when sewing a shirtdress.

Purchase Materials Used Below:

• 3 yards Light Blue Candy Striped Light Weight Linen
• MDF151 – The Cypress Dress Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
  • Skipped the sleeves and belt

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All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise stated. See chart below for sizing specifications. Note, this specific pattern is available up to a size 30.

First up, we have cotton shirting (duh!). When it comes to tops, shirting is always a terrific option. A broad term used to refer to more than one type of fabric, shirting is generally tightly woven with a high thread count. Often, these fabrics are yard dyed, meaning that any patterns or designs are woven in to the fabric rather than printed on top. This usually means quality – and a perfect option for your next garment. This is where you’ll find a lot of your plaids and ginghams.

Like typical shirting, poplin tends to have a high thread count. It’s also perfect for printing, so here you’ll find a lot of your vibrant patterns and designs! Since they’re so easy to iron, they also make for a crisp garment.

When it comes to solids, you want to be sure you get quality fabric. Your clean new shirtdress won’t continue to look that way if the fabric you used to make it decides to snag on every surface. If you’re looking for a simple (quality) solid, you have a few options at your fingertips. If you want something with just a touch more weight to it, as well as wrinkle-resistance, go with an Oxford cotton. If a softness more reminiscent of silk is more your speed, a Pima cotton should be making its way into your cart shortly. For durability as high-end as its hand, Egyptian cotton is the way to go.

Sometimes you want something a bit nicer than cotton, but equally as durable and breathable. Here’s where linen comes in, as it did with the Cypress Dress I sewed above. While it sometimes has a higher price point than most cotton, it really is worth it. Durable and breathable are only two of its attributes. It looks as high-end as it feels, and gets softer with each wash. It can also come in prints and solids so the possibilities are endless!

Have you made a shirtdress in the past? Let me know what kind of fabric you used in the comments below!