The Sorrel Dress is a fresh take on the classic shirt-waist dress, seamlessly pairing vintage elements with modern design (and always with pockets).
Shaped with double open-ended darts around the bodice and skirt waistline, Sorrel's relaxed silhouette and sleek but shapely skirt provide the illusions of a fitted garment, with all the comfort of a shift-style dress.
A simple fold out collar frames the face, creating a gentle V neckline, and grown-on sleeves lend a casual vintage vibe.
Layer a mid-weight corduroy or denim Sorrel with fitted long sleeves and boots for cool weather, or make it up in a seasonal double gauze or cotton/linen blend for a light-weight summer garment.
View 1 includes a separate button placket, great for playing with prints and different fabric layouts. View 2 has a grown-on button placket, helping to keep the design simple and the construction straightforward.
JLH Cup Sizes
The Sorrel Dress now spans across a wider range of sizes from a 6A cup (full bust circumference 75cm or 29 1/2") all the way up to a 34F (156.5cm or 61 5/8").
Included in the instructions are a detailed/expanded set of Finished Garment Measurements, meaning you're able to compare these to a similar garment that you currently like the fit of, or know you want to adjust. This takes much of the guess work out of making Sorrel, even before you've cut anything out.
Tatenda wears an 18D cup, graded to a size 20 waist - you can read more about her on the pattern listing page here.
Skill Level
Sorrel is a perfect project to confident beginner seamstresses. If this is your first time tackling a shirt-dress style garment, Sorrel will guide you through the process with ease.
Learn techniques like inserting open-ended darts, inserting buttons and button holes, as well as inserting inseam pockets.
Fabric Suggestions
The Sorrel Dress is suitable for a wide range of light to medium-weight woven fabrics with some drape.
Choose any of your favourite fabrics from cotton lawn, voile and poplin to linen, tencel and double gauze. Rayon and silks would make a lightweight and graceful Sorrel, while mid-weight denims, corduroy and brocade or jacquards would lend themselves to a more structured garment.
Tatenda's pink lemon Sorrel is a linen-cotton blend that is underlined with a light cotton voile. Jen wears Sorrel in double gauze.
Free Gathered Sorrel Dress Tutorial
Turn Sorrel into your new favourite breezy summer dress with some minor pattern alterations. This floaty pattern hack is gently shaped at the back, with dart released at the front and paired with a gently gathered skirt.
Check out the free tutorial here to learn how to easily adapt your pattern to turn Sorrel into a completely different silhouette, that makes fabulous bump-wear, if I do say so myself. (I'm not pregnant! These photos were taken towards the end of 2018... Rowan's now 3!).
Taken back in 2018 when I was pregnant with Rowan
Purchase your Sorrel here!
I'd love to hear how you're getting along making your Sorrel Dress and how you're finding the new Curve sizes. Why not tag me on Instagram or use the hashtags #JLHSorrelDress , #JLHSorrel or #JLHCurve so I can see and share your makes.
I hope you enjoy making Sorrel!
xx
Jen
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