With hand, foot & mouth disease reaching epidemic level here in Singapore, my kids’ have been staying home these two weeks. That meant lots of fun drawing, coloring, playing and very little sewing. But, I did manage to whip up my Miu Miu inspired gingham shirtdress and a princess size version too.
My shirtdress was made using a modern-day sewing pattern, McCall’s 5801, one of the very first patterns I bought during a time I was crazy about the shirtdresses I saw on Modcloth. This is my only ‘Made-for-you’ pattern which came with different bodice pieces for cup sizes A/B, C and D. The princess seams made the top half very flattering but I did have to adjust the fit from midriff to waist for a better fit. Here’s a close-up shot of the dress I took using my phone camera during last Saturday’s morning tea.
I also didn’t use the original skirt pattern as my fabric didn’t have the width required so mine is just two gathered rectangular pieces. I avoided a button down skirt as my princess has a tendency to drag and pull my skirts all the time and I didn’t want to risk it getting unbuttoned at anytime. There is a side pocket on one side of the dress and an invisible side zipper on the other. The sleeves are totally modified. I loved the cap sleeves on the Miu Miu dress and wanted something closer to that so I modified the sleeves from my Japanese sewing pattern for this dress and adore how it looked on the shirtdress. The inside of the sleeves are finished with mini gingham bias tape and french seams at the shoulders as pictured below.
It was a fun and challenging attempt to match the gingham while sewing the princess seams/ centre back seams on the front and back bodice. Here’re the back seams.
It wasn’t my original plan to make this a mother-daughter sewing project but after finishing my dress, I saw this red gingham woven fabric with slight stretch from my Shanghai trip and thought it would be so cute if my daughter wore a shirtdress made of it with me and so that’s what I did. I made her version using Simplicity 4628, a 50s sewing pattern.
And I must confess that I love those collars and that horizontal pleat skirt of hers so much!
And yes, I tried my best to match the seams where possible. Here are her sides. 
The kids will be back in school next week and hopefully that means more time for sewing!
The Sew Convert 
Very cute! I made a Dorothy Gingham dress here -http://jamesandleighann.blogspot.com/2012/03/dorothy-dress.html
Both dresses are absolutely adorable!
Love these dresses, your daughter is so cute in that ’50s sundress! I have a self-drafted button-down shirt I’ve been meaning to make and you’ve got me thinking I should turn it into a dress as well.
Another really cute set!
my family is down with stomach flu, leaving no time to think about sewing. but after I read your latest post, my mind can’t stop wandering! me loves checks!!
Oh wow, your gingham dress is beautiful and is so flattering on you. I really love the cap sleeves. And your daughters dress is just totally adorable! She is such a cutie!!
Wow, these dresses look awesome. And I love the shoes too 😉
Aw, too cute. Both dresses are lovely – great daywear.
You both look adorable in your gingham dresses!
Adorable!
Yet another beautiful project. Your daughter and yourself look wonderful. The fit on your bodice is excellent. Great work!
Beautiful dresses! I like that you used a little gingham for yours and a large gingham for hers!
Such adorable dresses! Absolutely loved them. They reminded me of my youonger dys when mum stitched us such dresses 🙂
Also, i always thought u stayed in canada/america….dont know why….never knew u were in sinapore. I have been there 6 years and movhed out just 2 weeks ago!!!!
All the best!
Lovely mother n daughter dresses. Coordinating and yet not too matchy matchy 🙂
Wow, very, very pretty dresses….you and your daughter are precious!
Oh, this is adorable — you both look beautiful!
Sooo cute! I also love how you styled yourself and your daughter with mix&match shoes!
Hi, I’m new to your blog. Your dresses are adorable! I am in awe of your gingham matching skills. I have yet to cut plaid straight!
You really did an outstanding job with the gingham in your dress and your daughter’s. It’s very impressive. I hope one day to be that good!
By the way, your little girl is too cute!
Impressive job matching seams with gingham. Well done! Love your shoes. May I ask where you bought them?
@Opalwhitely: Thanks, the adorable shoes are from Harujuku Lovers, got them on ebay.
Would you be so kind and show us what your sleeve patterns looks like?
I am in love with this! I already have a couple shirt dresses planned and some gingham prints waiting to be made up, you just made me even more inspired and excited! Your little girl is such a doll, I bet you all can’t go anywhere together ( especially in matching shirt dresses) without getting ooh and aaahs!
You both look lovely and ready for spring in your gingham check dresses. The tucks in your daughters skirt remind me that those are often used on children’s clothes because they can be let out for additional length as the child grows taller.
What a beautifull duet !
That is so sweet. Bravo on making a miu miu look alike and i too adore the collars on the little’s dress.
Wow, those turned out great! You do an amazing job at matching seams. I’m a new fan of yours!
Your photography looks so dreamy!
Janelle @ Emmaline
You ladies look beautiful in your dresses!
Beautiful! Great job lining up those stripes and I really like the fit of yours and those pleats on your daughter’s! 🙂
These dresses are beautiful and I love that you did them in blue and red, instead of the same color..Your daughter is adorable.. Love her dress pattern.. Isn’t it fun to sew for little girls.. I love it.
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