A shirtwaister is a dress with a tailored bodice that resembles a shirt. This style has been popular throughout the decades. I find it to be a very flattering style, don't you?
Here's a few photos of shirtwaisters throughout the decades with links on where to find these patterns.
1930s:
1. Simplicity 2206 available at Nostalgia Vintage 2 Etsy shop; 2. Simplicity 1736 available at Rainbow Valley Vintage Etsy shop; 3. Simplicity 3103 available at Cottage Lane Treasures's Etsy shop; 4. DuBarry 2183B available at DaisyEpochVintage's Etsy shop
1940s
1. McCall 4562 available at Opal Owl Vintage Etsy Shop; 2. Simplicity 2901 available at Old Fashioned Notions Etsy shop; 3. Simplicity 2398 available at Aunt Nonnies Nest Etsy shop; 4. Advance 2665 from Miss Betty's Attic Etsy shop.
1950s
1.Advance 9771 available at the Dancing Bumblebee Cottage Etsy shop; 2.Simplicity 1427 available at the Atomic Regeneration Etsy shop; 3. Simplicity 4731 available at Dizzy Dame Dresses Etsy shop; 4. Butterick 5841 available at Raiment Revival's Etsy shop.
1960s
1. Butterick 2458 available at Sydcam123's Etsy shop; 2. Butterick 1960s pattern available at Lam4UK's Etsy shop;
3. Simplicity 5800 available at Farmhouse Garden's Etsy shop; 4. Simplicity 5445 available at Grandma's Cedar Chest Etsy shop;
Me-Made Shirtwaister
I've only made one shirtwaister (so far) but I wear it all the time! I definitely have more shirtwaisters planned in my sewing queue as it's such an easy and flattering style to wear. I particularly like making 50s shirtwaisters from novelty fabrics!
My 'Midcentury Madness' shirtwaister made from Style Print 1283
Sunni who blogs over at A Fashionable Stitch recently hosted a Shirtdress sewalong. While she used a modern pattern, a lot of the techniques she covered would be helpful for sewing up a vintage shirtwaister.
Have you made any shirtwaisters? Do you have any currently in your sewing queue?
