It’s been a few weeks since I last posted! I have been busy working (blurgh), doing some much procrastinated DIY tasks and more exceedingly sewing some summer dresses for my honeymoon wardrobe! Today I am really excited to share my newest make a lovely Sew Over It Kitty Dress made in a gorgeous ivory floral Rose and Hubble fabric.

Pattern & Construction:

The Kitty Dress is one of those patterns that has been sat in my Sewing Wish List for a long time. I kept putting it off as I have a real soft spot for Sew Over It’s other button down dress, The Vintage Shirtdress, and had recently made a Nicole Dress. However, I have found myself thinking about my summer wardrobe and I love the idea of having a shirtdress that has more of a nod to the 50’s style dress, but also has some capped sleeves to keep the pesky soon of my easily sunburn skin. I saw Sew Over It share their Kitty Dress a few weeks ago and decided to finally dig out my pattern and give it a go.

Sew Over It describes the Kitty Dress as a chic and classic button-down shirt dress that is perfect for dressing down or dressing up. The Kitty Skirt comes in a variety of options with version 1 and version 4 featuring a darted bodice, ser in sleeves and a shawl or notched collar. Version 1 and 3 has a fitted princess seam and seamless bodice with scooped shoulders. Any of the bodices can be paired with a panelled skirt or gathered skirt. The dress comes in size 8 (33-26-36) to size 20 (45-38-48). I decided to make size 10 in the bust, waist and hips and make version 4 bodice on the gathered skirt, but omit the pockets.

I am always a little nervous making a pattern for the first time, but having made lots of Sew Over it garments and having some recent makes with lined waistbands I felt like this dress came together quicker than I thought. There are a lot of techniques in this pattern that do make it intermediate, but if you are a beginner who wants to move into something with new techniques this would be a great pattern. Just to make things complicated I also wanted to line the skirt! I simply did this by cutting out a second skirt in a lovely lightweight cotton lawn and taking off 5cm from the hem. I basted the two skirt layers together before attaching the bodice and the skirt together. I used some vintage pink buttons that suited the dress perfectly and finished off the dress with a beautiful Sew Anonymous label.

I found the dress fitted quite well, but was a little tight in the waist. I checked my measurements and found I have put on a little weight in my waist (too much hibernating in the winter!). I will probably pop this into storage in the hopes that with this nicer weather I will get the enthusiasm to be more active! I plan to make another in a straight size 12 to give myself that additional space in the waist!

Fabric:

Sew Over It suggests that the Kitty Dress can be made in a variety of fabrics such as cotton, poplin, seersucker. Double gauze or quilting cottons. The panelled skirt option can be made i crepes, rayons or cotton voile.

The fabric is a beautiful cream Rose and Hubble floral cotton poplin. I am a big fan of Rose and Hubble and love all their beautiful floral designs. I always find their poplin to be super soft and lovely to wear in the summer.

The only draw pack is it is a narrower fabric so if you have a wide skirt pattern piece it can be a struggle. I found this fabric easy to work with, it went well through my machine and pressed beautifully.

Summary:

Overall, I am really happy with how this Kitty Dress turned out and love the overall design! I am pleased with the added cotton lawn lining skirt and proud of how well it turned out. I am going to make another in a size 12 and explore with the other bodice options!

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