Horizontal stripes!

A review of Jennifer Lauren Handmade Sorrel Dress

Reviewed by Norfolk Daphne on 6th July, 2020

Oh how I ummed and ahhed over which way to have the stripes on this Jennifer Lauren Sorrel Dress – talk about indecisive! – but I got there in the end and I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out, not to mention how well it fits. Apparently, traditionally, shirt dresses have vertical stripes and jersey dresses have horizontal – why is that?! – but I’ve gone against tradition and used the stripes horizontally.

It’s a really great pattern, the drafting is excellent, as are the instructions, and the sizing is spot on with the measurements. I went with a size 10, graded to a 12 at the bust with the D cup option (I’m currently 37″, 29, 39″, 28GG). Having looked at other Sorrels, I added 10cm to the length of the skirt, as I wanted it to come over my knees.

I made sure to be really accurate on matching the stripes at the side seams, as well as across the front of the bodice. I love the open-ended darts at the waistline and of course the pockets on this dress! The ‘collar’ isn’t really a collar at all, it’s just how the dress folds out there, so it’d be brilliant for a new sewist who wants to have a go at making a shirt dress.