Pattern Release / All / Shay

THE SHAY DRESS PATTERN IS FINALLY HERE!

We have been sharing sneak peeks of this pattern for a long time! I originally drafted this dress for my brother’s wedding in 2021. He got married at the Shay Hotel, so it felt only right to give the pattern the same name. As things go, the development of this dress got pushed down the list as I worked on other patterns. I knew I wanted this dress in our pattern collection, so we added a few more details, and we finally have the perfect party dress pattern for you.

The Shay pattern will be on SALE through
Wednesday, May 31st
(no coupon code needed)

The Shay pattern is a maxi dress with a wide scoop neck and fitted bodice. The skirt has three gathered tiers. There are elbow length puff sleeves and a tank option for both views. View A finishes with a center back invisible zipper. View B finishes with center front buttons.

View A, shown with puff sleeves.
Fabric Source || Deadstock silk from Stonemountain Fabrics

View A, shown with tank.
Fabric Source || Textured Rayon/Linen from Stonemountain Fabrics

View B, shown with puff sleeves.
Fabric Source || Sandwashed Cupro/Viscose in Forest from Stonemountain Fabrics

View B, shown with tank.
Fabric Source || Rayon Deadstock from StoneMountain Fabrics

PATTERN DETAILS

The puff sleeves include four pintucks and a tie closure on the cuffs.

The center front buttons can stop at your preferred center front slit height. 

The pattern is listed as INTERMEDIATE sewing level. You can choose a center back invisible zipper or a center front button closure; basically, pick your poison. The pintucks are a fun detail, but they don’t affect the fit, so they are beginner-friendly. There are detailed, step-by-step illustrated instructions to guide you along the way, and if you’d like more help, the Chalk and Notch Patterns Facebook Group is a great place to get support. Many of our testers are members there, so you have great resources if you ever need them.

We will also have a photo sew along soon. Whether this is your first pattern or you’re a seasoned professional, we want to provide you with all the resources you need.

Shay Size Chart: 0 – 30 with four bust cup options

Use the high bust to determine your dress size, and the difference between your high bust and full bust to choose your cup size. If you are between sizes, size up and fit the pattern as needed. It is always recommended to sew a test garment to confirm fit. This pattern requires a bodice fitting to confirm fit.

This pattern includes four bust cup options when we usually only include two. We hope that by adding these additional options you can get a better fit with your first test garment.

The cup size is determined by calculating the difference between the high and full bust. If the difference between your high bust and full bust is 1” (2.5 cm) use the A cup. If the difference between your high bust and full bust is 2” (5 cm) use the B cup. If the difference between your high bust and full bust is 3” (7.5 cm) use the C cup. If the difference between your high bust and full bust is 4” (10 cm) use the D cup. If you have more than a 4” (10 cm) difference, you may need a full bust adjustment. More details are in our custom fitting post.

Finished Garment Measurements

This style is designed to have a fitted bodice and a full tiered skirt. There is 1” (2.5 cm) of ease through the bust. There is 2” (5 cm) of ease through the waist. There is 13” (33 cm) of ease through the hips. 

The bodice length finishes at or right above the natural waist. The finished length of the dress ends above the ankle. Review the finished garment measurements to determine if you would like to adjust the length.

CUSTOM-FITTING ADJUSTMENTS

All our patterns include basic custom fitting adjustments, but we also have an in-depth fitting post with more details on adjusting the Shay pattern here. This pattern requires a bodice fitting to confirm fit. There is no way around it, but we hope to provide you with all the help you need to make a successful garment. If you need additional help or have questions, please feel free to email me or join the Chalk and Notch Patterns Facebook Group – I’m always happy to hear from you!

FABRIC & NOTIONS

Main Fabric

This style is designed for a light to medium weight woven. The bodice is lined. It is recommended to use a medium to heavy weight bodice lining fabric to help maintain structure. All of our sample fabric was purchased at Stonemountain Fabrics. They have a wonderful selection if you don’t have anything readily available in your stash.

Recommended Main Fabrics

Suggested fabrics are rayon challis, rayon twill, rayon voile, cotton lawn, cotton voile, linen, and chambray. We have a fabric post with more fabric resources and links here.

Fabric Chart

Notions

  • 18” (46 cm) Invisible Zipper for the center back – View A – OR – 15 to 18 1/2” (12.7 mm) Buttons for the center front – View B
  • 2 yds Tricot Fusible Interfacing
  • Invisible Zipper Foot – View A

Optional Notions

  • Hook & Eye – View A
  • Regular Zipper Foot – View A
  • Tailor’s Chalk or Washable Fabric Marker
  • Pressing Ham
  • Point Turner

TESTER PHOTOS

We were so lucky to work with a talented and detail-oriented test group while perfecting the Shay Dress. While styled photos are never a required part of testing, we’re always happy to share any that are submitted. Seeing a pattern on a variety of people and in different fabrics can be a valuable tool. Check out the tester post here.

I’d love to see what you come up with, so if you share your makes, please tag @chalkandnotch and use the hashtags #cnshay and #chalkandnotchpatterns so I can see your creations.

Thanks for learning more about the Shay dress pattern!

XO, Gabriela