Named Reeta Shirt Dress

I have always sewn very simple dresses so this patter represented a big step up for me in learning new construction (full bust adjustment, narrow back adjustment, burrito yoke and collar, drawstring waist). One of the appeals to me of this dress was the relaxed fit and drawstring waist as I am a diet and have changed shape quite a lot and didn’t want to make a dress that I wouldn’t get much wear out of.

I have a large bust so didn’t put the breast pockets on. I made it out of a very light cotton and reused buttons from my granny’s button box

The instructions were clear and plentiful but I also did it as a sew along in a Claire Tyler class. I messed up the collar and had to redo but that was more about my inexperience than the instructions. The proportions of the dress work really well with the final result being very easy to wear. I will make another one and be better at the collar :)

I've been meaning to make the Named Reeta for quite some time as I'm a big fan of Named Patterns and I love shirtdresses! I bought this lawn recently in a Liberty sale and the Reeta popped into me head immediately as the perfect match.

I cut the 46 and did a 1" full bust adjustment and the fit is good. Named Patterns are drafted for a height of 5'8". I'm 5'6" but didn't take anything off and it's fine, although a little longer than the intended midi length. If you want/need to shorten it, make sure you do it at the beginning as the hem is finished before the dress construction is complete.

I give the dress design and final garment 5 stars. I had to take a star off for the instructions though, as I found the trickiest part quite a struggle and it did make the sew a little frustrating at times. Hopefully, they can bring out a sewalong or video to help people with the construction as it would help immensely. Still, it won't put me off making it again!

Full details on the construction and more pics at my blog post here if you're interested :)

I've fallen in love with this dress after one wear!

It presented me with some challenges during the making process, partly fabric choice, partly because collars are tricky!

I had to take a whopping 10" off the length (I'm 5'2" for reference). It is slightly shorter on me than on the model but it's still a fair chunk. I would usually do a full bicep adjustment but didn't need to with this pattern, which was great.

I made my Reeta in a drapey rayon but I also love the crisper linen & cotton versions made my other sewists, so it's quite versatile in that sense.

Style choices that I made were: I used bias binding instead of ribbon for my waist channel, and made a waist tie from my main fabric.

For more photos, please have a peruse of my blog post:

https://yorkiemousehousehome.wordpress.com/2021/03/31/paper-jungle-reeta/

The Reeta dress is one of the patterns I’ve chosen for my Make Nine 2021 thanks to its relaxed style, lovely details and cinched in waist.

I chose a khaki viscose twill for my Reeta but in retrospect would have gone with a cotton lawn at first as this was a very sloppy fabric!

Some parts of the construction were very tricky to follow, including the collar but I followed a YouTube tutorial which made it much easier.

I made a UK 14 after looking at Named’s very detailed size chart. I went with the size that matched my high bust measurement to fit the shoulders correctly and am very pleased with the fit.

I’d definitely make this pattern again and think it’s a really versatile make I learned a lot of new skills along the way with.

I've been wanting a polka dot maternity shirt dress for a while and after making myself a moodboard decided that Reeta was the perfect pattern.

I love everything about this dress, its swishy and comfortable and is incredibly flattering. And bonus, because of the waist time I'm sure this will fit me after pregnancy.

I found the construction to be a little tricky in parts, but there are some great tutorials and sew alongs online that really helped!

This won't be my last