Prom season has come to a close, but don’t put that sewing machine away just yet! The Shirley Dress free sewing pattern is perfect for the busy wedding season ahead! The classic shirt dress silhouette is ideal as modesty continues to trend across all categories. For my redux of this pattern, I lengthened the original skirt and used one Mood’s gorgeous silk panels from Armani. Strategically placed sheer sections of the fabric help to uphold femininity with style and grace! Whether you are attending a wedding or looking for stunning bridesmaid dresses, the Shirley Redux is a formal dress option you don’t want to pass on! Try using taffeta or Mikado as another beautiful evening wear option. Let’s us know if you plan to use this pattern for a special occasion.
Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 4 Panels of Orange and Red Armani Silk
- 2 Yards of Fresh Salmon Antibacterial and Wicking Polyester Jersey
- 2 spools of 474 Curry 100m Gutermann Sew All Thread
- MDF129 – The Shirley Dress Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
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.
For my version of the Shirley dress, all I did was lengthen it. The original length was 25″ from waist to knee. The finished length of my dress was 46″ from waist to floor. So feel free to play with the length until you achieve your desired look!
The fabric I used played a huge part in adding style and elegance. There are parts of the panel that are sheer on the top and bottom of the dress, allowing just the right amount of skin to peek through!
I made self-covered buttons for an elegant seamless look!
Add a simple and easy knit slip as an underlayer and for added comfort.
There was no need to make a pattern for the slip as I draped it directly on my dress form.
To get the front of the dress, I folded my fabric in half and pinned it to one side of the form. I cut the neckline and down the sides to create the desired shape.
From this shape, I created the center front, two back panels, a front facing, and a back facing. Add easy spaghetti straps and hem the bottom to complete the look!