Palma Shirt Dress
Make the Palma as a relaxed shirt or shirt dress with a pattern in sizes 34 to 56 and A4 and A0 formats.
Project preview
This video is for members
Join Lulu Ferris to watch the complete class and sew along at your own pace.
What you’ll make
Make Palma as a flowing shirt dress or use the shorter pattern option to sew a relaxed shirt. Both versions have a roomy cut, wide drapey sleeves, a collar and a front button closure.
A center-back pleat adds ease and movement. The dress can include side slits, while the length and slit placement can be adjusted to suit how you want to wear it.
This intermediate project builds garment-sewing skills while producing a versatile woven piece that can look casual or more polished depending on the fabric.
What you’ll learn in this class
- Stabilize fine or loosely woven fabric before assembly.
- Sew and press the center-back pleat.
- Interface and construct a collar with a collar stand.
- Set the sleeves without stretching the armholes.
- Finish side seams, optional slits and garment hems.
- Reinforce the front bands and sew buttonholes and buttons.
Fabric and support
Choose a lightweight woven fabric for a cool, fluid result. The class discusses muslin, fine poplin, linen, linen-viscose blends and viscose.
Fine, mobile or easily distorted cloth may need stay tape at the neckline, shoulders and armholes. The sample also uses it along the sides because the dress has slits.
Lightweight fusible interfacing supports the front closure, collar and collar stand. Adjust the collar interfacing for a softer casual look or a firmer finish.
Make it your own
- Sew the long shirt-dress or shorter shirt version.
- Shorten or lengthen the dress.
- Adjust or omit the side slits.
- Add side-seam or front patch pockets.
- Use buttons, snaps, hooks or ties, allowing for the front overlap.
- Add elastic at the sleeve hem for a gathered finish.
Pattern sizing
The pattern covers sizes 34/36 through 54/56. It is drafted for busts of 86–132 cm, waists of 64–110 cm and hips of 90–136 cm.
Total dress length ranges from 138 cm in size 34/36 to 148 cm in size 54/56. Choose the shirt or dress cutting option, then adjust the final length if desired.
The video class includes Palma pattern files in A4 for home printing and A0 for large-format printing.
Pattern & materials
Patterns are included with membership
Active members can download every available PDF and materials list.
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