Kalle Shirt Pattern Review

In my Kalle Shirt pattern review I will show you four samples of my Kalle pattern sewing makes and add in a few sewing tips along the way. You will love this stylish shirt dress with a high low hem. It is perfect for easy dressing with its body skimming silhouette. You will also love all the interchangeable features and options in just one pattern. It is definitely a pattern you need to add to your collection and your closet.

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Kalle Shirt Dress Pattern

The Kalle Shirt Dress Pattern is one of those tried and true patterns you will sew again and again. The construction is well thought out and the instructions are well written.

The pattern comes in three lengths each offering a dramatic curved hem. The back yoke is above a box pleat that gives the Kalle Shirt Dress a roomy fit. There is a traditional standard or band collar for more options. The front button placket can go all the way down or you can insert their popover placket for a different look. Additionally, there is an optional breast pocket to impart more of a classic men’s oxfords style shirt. The pattern comes with banded sleeve cuffs, but you can purchase their sleeve extension or morph on your own sleeve (I did two below).

With all these interchangeable features, you can make the Kalle Shirt Dress over and over getting new and interesting looks along the way.

I have four below that I love and reach for regularly. Each of my versions feature something different and interesting.

My First Kalle Shirt

The first Kalle Shirt I made was the mid length style. I purchased one of their pdf patterns where you have to tape together and cut out the pattern pieces. It is not my favorite way to use a pattern, I would suggest purchasing the pre-printed Kalle Shirt Dress Pattern and skip the printing and taping.

I chose the standard collar and the popover placket. This one is finished with a twin needle twice stitched hem instead of the hem facings — I ran out of fabric!

The popover placket is the best way I have seen to finish a front placket without cutting into your garment. It’s the only one I use and I regularly adapt it to other patterns.

If you have never done a burrito rolled yoke, then take some time and follow the directions carefully. It creates a beautiful finish, but the first few times you construct the burrito it can be challenging.

Pro Tip: If you purchase a download pattern, check out my simple PDF Assembly Tips to get you started off on the right foot.

Flamingo Kalle Shirt

This Kalle Shirt is button down style. I found this fun flamingo fabric at Joann and knew it would make a cute blouse. I cut the bottom square instead of the curved hem to take advantage of the flamingo border. Then I fussy cut the opposite striped border to make the banded sleeves and front placket.

I love this blouse, it’s so much fun to wear – a length of fabric, buttons from my stash, and a pattern already in my possession. That’s a win/win.

Tunic Length Shirt Inspired Kalle

Shirts and shirt dresses are everywhere – long, short, placketed, button down, they are all over the runways. Plus they are fun to wear. This tunic length shirt inspired by a Rag and Bone Ready To Wear runway design is one of my favorite Kalle shirt dresses.

For the collar, I used only the band as the only collar to give the shirt a more casual feel. Simply finish off the top of the collar band and attach as you would a traditional collar.

Patterns For Morphing

Customizing a pattern by mashing two patterns together is not as complicated as it looks. You can easily get a customized look with a simple technique.

For this blouse, I combined the drop shoulder from the Kalle Shirt to Simplicity 9177 which has a very similar armhole cut. You need to keep the sleeve and arm hole together — from the same pattern — they are drafted as a pair and need to remain together. So you can easily use the sleeve if you overlay the paired armhole on the pattern you want to add the new sleeve on.

In this case, I took the Kalle Shirt front piece and overlaid the Simplicity 9177 front piece matching the shoulder seam and side seams. Then simply cut the armhole for 9177 and the rest of the bodice with the Kalle Shirt. Then repeat the process with the back piece — Voila!

The Fabric

The Cotton Poplin is crisp and easy to cut and sew. The stripes give the added benefit of a built in straight line to use as a gauge to cut and sew. It helps make everything look crisp and square.

Stripes easily add design details — you simply cut the pieces in different directions. I cut the placket, cuffs, yoke, and collar horizontally to impart some interest to the light blue and white striped shirt.

Floral Kalle Shirt Dress

Again I morphed a set of long sleeves on this Kalle Shirt Dress. It is long enough to wear with tights or I can wear it open as a duster with a t-shirt (I love the Concord T Shirt) and jeans. It is a nice weight for transitional seasons and the bright flowers are very cheerful when coming out of a cold New England winter.

Closet Core (Formally Closet Case) Patterns Kalle Shirt

The Kalle Shirt Dress pattern is one of those patterns you love to have in your stash. It is super versatile, offering different looks and options. If you are considering making a blouse and are a little hesitant about taking on a classic men’s oxfords style, then start with the Kalle. You will learn to sew a beautiful collar, perfect plackets, and well constructed yokes. Three important parts of an iconic shirt dress.

I hope you find my Kalle Shirt Dress review inspiring. I would love to see what you are making, don’t forget to tag me on IG @Sewing_With_Sandi.

Happy Sewing

Sandi

PS: When you want to sew a beautiful buttonhole, you need to have a few simple techniques and a great sewing machine. Check out my button hole sewing tips to get you started down the right track.

PPS:

Make your garments better with my 21 Tips To Take Your DIY Garment From Homemade To High End

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