The Morningside Dress and Shirt by French Navy Patterns

I am so excited I get to share The Morningside Dress and Shirt by Sarah-May of French Navy Patterns today. I was lucky to sneak into testing even though I was on vacation when the testing started. My favorite features are the hidden placket, curved hem, and the collar with collar stand.



I have been trying to write the pattern description in my own words but can't match the elegant description from the pattern:

"The ultimate in effortless boy-meets-girl cool, the Morningside pattern offers both dress and shirt styles with the option of two sleeve variations. All views feature a narrow collar, concealed placket and slightly dropped shoulders. Choose the classic, cuffed sleeve for a versatile wardrobe workhorse or the flounced sleeved for a more whimsical silhouette. Both dresses have a roomy fit, in-seam pockets and a curved high-low hemline. The shirt too has a boxy cut and a cropped length making it the perfect pairing for your favourite high-waisted pants."

So cool, right?!



The pdf pattern has clear instructions and illustrations and the option to print just the size(s) you need. There is also a file for printing at a copy shop, if that's your kind of thing. I was able to easily print and assemble at home. There are notches and fold lines on the pattern pieces and illustrations for exactly where to apply interfacing. The yoke is finished with a clean finish method (aka the burrito method), which is lovely.



I sewed a size large, based on my measurements. This is the same size that I've been in the other French Navy Patterns I've sewn. (The Calyer Pants, The Forsythe Dress)


I picked to sew the shirt version because I was concerned this fabric would be too sheer/lightweight for a dress. I picked this fabric up at a local store's going out of business sale. I had been eyeing the navy colorway, which would've worked fine for a dress, but I missed out on it. The fabric feels like a lightweight cotton shirting and the little dots are flocked(? or fuzzyish) on the inside of the fabric.



I love the clever way the pockets are included on the dress so I might need to move that up on my sewing list.



The Morningside Shirt is the first time I've sewn a hidden placket on a top. (I did sew a hidden fly on a pair of lounge pants for my husband. It is still somewhat confusing because the lounge pants also have elastic around the waist.) Anyway, the instructions were clearer and made more sense than the hidden fly. This was also my first time sewing a collar and collar stand and I LOVE how comfortable it is to wear and how it looks!!! I feel like I leveled up or something. The instructions for the back pleat also lead to the tidiest back pleat I've ever sewn.



I didn't alter the length at all. I'm 5'4" but I think my torso is longer than a lot of other 5'4"ers. I was thrilled to find that I can wear it with leggings and tucked or untucked! The shirt feels really comfortable on and I didn't need to give myself more room across the back or do an FBA.



Just for fun I styled my Morningside Shirt with my turquoise Liesl and Co Extra Sharp Pencil skirt and almost leather look Sloan Leggings and unblogged white stretch denim Sandbridge Skirt from Hey June Patterns (aff link if you'd like- no additional cost to you). I can see myself wearing it with jeans or trousers and dressing it up or down.









Thanks for stopping by!