Good evening, friends!
I’ve been on a mission as of late to finish unfinished projects that have been lingering in my sewing room. This one I started back in 2014…. and it’s finally completed! Although it’s not my favorite make, and I’ll soon tell you why.
This is the Deer and Doe Bruyere shirt. It’s one I’ve admired on others for some time and took the plunge and ordered it for myself. However, I did not pay attention to the size chart, thinking that the top size of 46 was the bust size, when it’s the European size and EU 46 is a 41″ bust. That meant that I had to grade it up a considerable amount (7 inches +) and this pattern was quite literally a pain in the ass to do so with all of the pattern pieces. I think it took me a full day of sewing time to both grade up and cut this pattern out.
The main problem I have with this shirt is that I graded it up to a set of measurements that were about an inch or so smaller than my current size. So this shirt — although wearable — fits tighter than I’d like. If I were to make it again, I’d definitely have to resize it as it’s not the most comfortable of shirts.
Aside from resizing this pattern, I also enlarged the sleeves. If I were to make it again, I’d enlarge the armscyes and also add a little bit more width to the upper sleeves.
I used some fabulous Robert Kaufman burgundy dot chambray fabric purchased from Fabric.com. After I saw Mary’s lovely shirt dress in the same fabric, I was certain that I needed some for myself. This fabric sews so nicely and it’s just beautiful with a slight sheen and I just love the color and the diminutive dots.
I did enjoy sewing this shirt, even if it took me about a year and a half to finish it. I think I set it aside during Christmas preparations in 2014 and then didn’t come back to it as I got started on other things and the weather turned warm. It’s basically like sewing a shirt dress, with just a smaller skirt. The skirt could be lengthened to make a shirt dress.
The shirt itself doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles like the much lauded McCall’s 6696, but I do like the sleeves and may add something similar to a future version of M6696. I also added a few too many buttons, so the placket buckles a bit, which is something that it didn’t do before I sewed the buttons on.
I have worn this shirt, but it’s not one that I’d wear often. I always pictured myself wearing it with leggings, but when I paired it with leggings, it just looked like I was showing a bit too much of my bum, so I tried it on with jeans and I prefer the look. I’m actually going to give this pattern to my MIL as I won’t be sewing another Bruyere. It’s not that the pattern isn’t a beautiful one, it’s that it’s not a shirt that would get worn very often. I do plan to make a few button-down shirts that are more wearable, meaning that I could tuck them in and wear with skirts. That would be much more practical for my wardrobe.
I do really love this chambray, so I think I’ll buy some more in another colorway (or perhaps in the burgundy again!) and make a dress with it. It’s such a beautiful fabric, I’d be sad if I didn’t have something more wearable in it hanging in my closet to wear!
It was pretty windy when I took these photos as it was between storms (El Nino is here in California), so I apologize how my shirt looks a bit distorted from being blown around.
Happy Sewing!
- Shirt: Deer and Doe Bruyere in burgundy dot chambray, made by me
- Jeans: Lucky Brand
- Boots: Aerosoles
- Earrings: Bauble Bar
galnoir says
It looks great, even if it doesn’t feel so great. Pretty color and pretty model!
JoyCreates says
I love this! It’s a great color on you and I really like the shirt styled with these jeans and boots. I know how it feels to get to the end of a sewing project that takes so long though, only to be disappointed by the fit. 🙁 I hope you’ll try it again someday with the changes you noted and share your results~it really is lovely on you.
rac rac says
lovely Tanya! the color is beautiful and you look happy! Sorry to hear you did not like the end result. I’ve been getting better with my buttonholes: I use good interfacing, before cutting I use NoFray all over the buttonhole and set it with the tip of the iron, and then I cut it with a flat cutter and a hammer, no scissors. My cutter is aproximately 1/4″, so I can move it close enough to the end of the buttonhole without cutting the thread. I hope you like this tips
ROBIN RUSH says
From the photos it looks good on you. You may need more wearing ease, but you nailed the upsizing. The fabric and color choice fits the style and your palette. I know you said you wouldn’t make another one, but please reconsider. It’s a great look for you.
Mother of Reinvention says
What a beautiful shirt and such a lovely fabric. You always choose the best colours of fabric. I think you should buy some more too. Xx
Monserratt Lopez says
Well darling, these pictures tell a very different story!
This garment looks amazing on you. I love how the color goes with your skin tone, the design lines and the combo with the jeans.
I was thinking of trying this pattern, but after reading the nightmare it was to grade, I would rather to to a mock up.
You should definitely try this color again. You look simply stunning!
<3
M
Carlee McTavish says
Its a shame you are giving it away, I was going to say that you have been on a roll lately. I think it is super flattering on you!
kathyh says
Fabulous color on you. Buy some more!
Megan @ The Green Violet says
This really looks lovely on you, but I know what you are saying about things not being comfortable or not really fitting into your lifestyle. Those are the things I never wear! Glad to heard you are buying more of this fabric though, because it looks great on you. I’m with you on grading, I have never bought a D&D pattern for that reason, I typically draw the line around 3 or 4 sizes whenever possible!
Manju says
Like you I have admired this pattern on others but I refuse to buy a pattern and then grade up so you are much braver than me! It looks great and the fabric and way you’ve styled it are fab. But I understand if you don’t like the fit. I am sure BMV brought a shirt pattern out not so long ago that could be made very similar to this.
tanyamaile says
Thanks, Manju! I do believe there is one similar that I saw on one of Michelle’s (happily caffeinated) pattern posts. I would probably have bought that if I had seen it at the time I had purchased this pattern.
Mary Danielson says
I love this, Tanya! It’s always a bummer when the fit isn’t what you envisioned, especially with a button down, but this still looks great on you. It’s just dreamy made up in that (awesome) chambray!
This pattern is sitting in my stash, but I haven’t had the energy to grade it up yet. Of all indie companies, I really wish D&D patterns had a more reasonable size range. Their patterns are so cute, but stopping at a 41″ bust always keeps me from buying! With you as inspiration, maybe I’ll finally get around to the Bruyere soon. Thanks for the helpful post!
tanyamaile says
Thanks, Mary! You’re the master of the fba, so I’m sure you’d rock this so fabulously!
Sew Exhausted says
As soon as I saw you wearing this on IG I went to buy the pattern (but alas they are out of stock!) … I think it looks wonderful on you with the jeans and the boots. I know the fit isn’t perfect but am still impressed with how well you graded it up! The color.. the fabric. Well, I just love the whole look. I am so sorry the fit is not what you intended it to be and hope you get a little wear out of it anyway!!
tanyamaile says
That’s terrible that it’s out of stock. This would look gorgeous on you! I’m sure I’d wear this when it’s chilly as its pretty much the only button down shirt in my closet at the moment.
Abbey Dabbles says
Oh, Tanya! The purple! In Chambray! And polkadots! I’m sure you hear me squealing with delight all the way from Barbados! Okay, post gushing at the fabric gorgeouness… I can see what you mean about it being a bit snug in some areas and the amount of grading you did is quite impressive as always. I like a lot of the Deer and Doe patterns, but I can’t afford them at the Euro rate of conversion for me at all. I always liked seeing the different versions of the bruyere too. I found it cute just from the line drawing, but I may just have a thing for shirtdresses.
tanyamaile says
Thanks, Abbey! I do believe that Michelle (happily caffeinated) had a similar design from one of the big four on her pattern posts. It seems like it would be an easy hack.
Nicole Morgan says
Oh dang, I think it looks AMAZING on you! But I totally get how a slightly snug button-up just feels undesirable to wear. I feel like I’m always extra picky on how a button-up fits and if it’s not just right, I never wear it.
I’ve had this pattern sitting around forever, but still haven’t made it up yet. Very tempted to just copy your fabric choice because I’m in love with yours. Also, I don’t know how I never thought about extending the skirt to become a shirtdress, but DUH, so obvious! I think I might just try it.
tanyamaile says
Yeah, I think that’s why I never liked RTW shirts as they often didn’t fit right. I’m looking forward to making a few of other patterns.
The bruyere in this fabric would look so gorgeous on you! And as a shirtdress, too!
Marike Smit says
Such a pity that the shirt is a bit snug for complete comfort, its gorgeous! I have also eyed the Bruyere pattern but will not buy something I have to grade larger.
tanyamaile says
It would be interesting to take another shirt dress pattern and shorten the skirt like this one, wouldn’t it?
brig143 says
oh Tanya you look so great in this shirtdress. The time you took to upgrade it does not matter, it is really a succesfull work. i don t have the patience to do it and i am so sorry that Dear and Do does not draw for us.
Have a nice Day and huggs from Belgium.
tanyamaile says
Thank you! I do love Deer and Doe’ s design aesthetic. It would be great if they expanded their size range.
Holly Gwilliams says
I love the colour of this shirt Tanya and I think.it looks really lovely on you – nice shape, but there is nothing more uncomfortable than wearing something a bit too tight is there? The polka for chambray would make a lovely ESP dress though…. Holly x
tanyamaile says
Thanks, Holly! Yes, it would be a wonderful ESP dress!
Sarah Woodhead says
despite the difficulties and problems you have had i love the fabric choice and it looks beautiful on you.
tanyamaile says
Thank you, Sarah!
Barbara Carlon says
I love the style and the fabric. I hate it when the fit is a little too tight on the things I make. I feel your pain. But I hope you wear it anyway.
Craftastrophies says
It’s a shame about the sizing! I have eyed this pattern off for ages but never bought it because while 41″ is my high bust and I could probably get away with an FBA and some mild grading, I just feel cranky about how small her highest sizes are! Plus I have the same wearability questions. I love how that looks on you but I probably wouldn’t wear it very often, myself.
I think I need some of that fabric though! I’ve been eyeing it off since Mary sewed it up and we’re coming into winter here in the Southern Hemisphere so I think I might need to get some and make some more shirtdresses!
tanyamaile says
Thank you! I do wish she would expand her size range. I normally wouldn’t have bought a pattern like this, but I so admired this shirt on others that I was sold.
You definitely need some of this chambray! It’s so great for shirt dresses and will look wonderful on you.
Meg McCarthy says
It’s a really pretty shirt – the color is lovely on you! You should definitely get more of that fabric!
tanyamaile says
Thanks. Meg! The fabric is gorgeous. You should get some, too, especially in the burgundy!
Natasha Friegang says
I think it looks really nice on you! I love the color, the fabric looks awesome. But I get it, YOU need to love it if you’re going to wear it all the time.
tanyamaile says
Thanks, Natasha! The fabric is so wonderful, I’m sure I’ll wear this occasionally when it’s chilly and I don’t want to wear a dress.
Caroline Beckenhaupt says
Tanya, You look lovely in this shirt; the color is great on you. Don’t undersell yourself.
tanyamaile says
Awe, thanks, Caroline! 🙂
Elizabeth Bradford says
I really like this shirt on you! I just sent a link to my partner saying “ISN”T THIS BEAUTIFUL!”. I bought this pattern ages ago but grading up seemed like a pain. Grading up for any pattern in my head is a pain. But after seeing this I shall go and try it out 🙂 Good luck on your new one 🙂
tanyamaile says
Thanks, Elizabeth! It is a beautiful pattern and worth grading up.
barbara says
never say die!! the dress is a keeper and just needs some love. you can relieve some of the tightness with an underarm diagonal gusset, either football shaped or diamond shaped in either one or two pieces. that should resolve both the width and the upper arm issues to some extent – width to be determined by you.
gussets are a wonderful way to keep a slim silhouette but also keep a range of motion at the same time. believe me, gussets are a big girl’s friend.
barbara says
p.s. i’m hoping that you have some scraps left over from this project. “design features” don’t work so well here.