Shirt dresses aren't a new fashion invention; they've been around since the 1950s. The accentuation of the waist and the shirt collar had a sleek yet very feminine feel. Our shirt dress features classic elements like the collar with a stand collar, the full button placket, and the fitted cut, as well as new, sometimes playful details. You can choose between a narrow 3/4 sleeve with an open slit and a puff sleeve with a closed cuff. There are also two tie belt options: one is shaped but otherwise smooth, and one with a pleated section in the back.

Length in the back center 104-108cm

→ To the “Quentina” pattern

The Quentina was sewn from a linen fabric in this tutorial.

To sew this dress you will need a sewing machine and an overlock sewing machine, or alternatively the zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to neaten the cut edges.

In addition to the description, the colored lines in the pictures show you where a seam needs to be sewn or something needs to be glued.
When sewing, pay attention to the seam allowance included in the pattern.
Have fun sewing!

First, take the two front pieces and sew in the darts. Then iron them upwards and neaten the side seam.

Sew the yoke to the back piece and press the seam upwards. You can now also close the shoulder seam. Then neaten the seam allowances of the yoke attachment, shoulder seam, and the side seams of the back piece.

Now you need to join the skirt pieces to the top pieces. To do this, place the pleats so that they open toward the side seam. Secure the pleats once, then join the top and skirt pieces.

Next, we'll work on the seam pockets. Before sewing them onto the dress, you need to overcast the straight edge of all four pockets. Then, place one pocket, right sides together, on each side seam of the front and back pieces, so that the notches line up. Now, sew the pockets together, notch to notch.

Now it's time to close the side seam. To do this, place the front piece on the back piece, right sides together, so that the pocket pouches are also aligned. Fold the pouches aside, as the pocket seam allowances shouldn't be sewn down at this point, and sew the side seam together from the notches up and down. Press the side seams open.

Once that's done, it's time to close the pouches. To do this, sew the pouches together along the blue line and overcast the edge. Then, place the pouches into the front pieces and attach the finished top edge of the pouch to the waist seam allowance with a stitch. Finally, simply clip the seam allowance of the top pouch and press it open. This will help the pouch sit better inside the dress and prevent it from sticking out awkwardly.

Next, continue with the hem. Neaten it and press the hem allowance. Sew the allowance to the dress.

Now you can continue with the button placket. Fold it over twice and sew it in place close to the edge.

Next, we'll start with the collar. First, sew the two collar pieces together, right sides together, and trim the seam allowance at the corners. Then turn the collar inside out and iron it. Finally, topstitch the collar close to the edge.

Now place the finished collar between the two collar stays. The notches on the curves show you where the collar should extend (marked in yellow). A little tip: I've already ironed the collar stay, which will be sewn to the outside of the dress, over by 0.9 cm. This makes it easier to attach it later. You also have to trim the curve of the bridge a little.

And now you're ready to start. The collar is sewn on from the inside out. This means that the seam allowance that wasn't pressed is sewn to the inside of the dress (right sides together). This seam allowance is then ironed up into the collar. Fold the collar outward and pin it in place so that it just covers the seam. Sew the collar band to the other band all the way around, close to the edge. This creates a collar.

The sleeve: First, neaten the side seams of both sleeves. There's a hidden slit in the sleeve pattern. The blue line in the image is the seam, and the inside is the seam allowance. First, press the seam allowance over so that the right sides are facing. The diamond in the pattern has now become a triangle, and you'll now sew along its long sides (see blue pins). Sew a line up to the tip, leave the needle in the fabric, and lift the stitching foot to turn the sleeve and sew down the other side. Be sure to tack the ends securely, otherwise the slit will open too quickly. Carefully cut the slit all the way to the tip and turn the whole thing inside out so that the seam allowance of the slit is hidden in the sleeve.

Then iron everything flat and fold the top edge inward by 1 cm. You'll later stitch this seam to the sleeve, close to the edge, but before that, you first need to close the side seam of the sleeve and iron it open. Now just sew the hem close to the edge from the inside.

The sleeve is finished, but before you can insert it, you need to gather the sleeve cap a bit. Otherwise, it won't fit into the armhole. At this point, sew the shoulder seam and neaten the seam allowances.

Now insert the sleeve into the armhole. Make sure the notches and seams line up. Finish the seam allowance together and press it into the sleeve. Now all that's left to do is sew the buttonholes and attach the buttons.

All that's missing is the belt. To do this, sew a side strip to each side seam of the back piece. Press these seams open. Place the two belts right sides together (make sure the seams line up) and sew them together all the way around.

Leave an opening of about 10cm, which you will need to turn the ribbon. Slightly clip the seam allowance, especially in the curves, so that the seam allowance will lie better when you turn the belt over. Now you need to turn the belt through the hole and iron it flat. Finally, just topstitch the belt once close to the edge, thus also sewing the turning hole.

Your QUENTINA is ready!

If you are stuck or have any questions, please feel free to contact us by email at info@schnittmuster-berlin.de. We will respond as soon as possible. 

Have lots of fun with your new designer piece! 

Sincerely, your Schnittmuster-Berlin team.