maternity long dress, maternity adjustable dress, maternity dress with elastic band ShaoXing Millson Apparel Co., Ltd. , https://www.zjmillson.com
introducing the camp shirt + dress pattern
It's such a joy to introduce you to our latest Liesl + Co. pattern for women—the Camp Shirt + Dress! This pattern is something special, inspired by the timeless appeal of park ranger uniforms, which have always caught my eye with their impeccable design. These uniforms strike the perfect balance between functionality and style, allowing wearers to move freely while maintaining a crisp, professional appearance. My absolute favorite part? The camp shirts—the way they’re tailored ensures they fit beautifully on everyone, regardless of size or shape. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind joining the ranks of those park rangers myself!
This Camp Shirt pattern is essentially an updated take on our Classic Shirt pattern. One key difference is the convertible collar—it’s much easier to sew compared to a traditional collar stand and collar, and it lays flat when the shirt is left open, which is exactly how it’s meant to be worn. I personally think of this piece more as a blouse than a shirt, though that distinction may vary depending on your perspective.
Let me walk you through the two views included in this pattern. View A offers a classic blouse style with long sleeves featuring a proper tower placket and cuffs. For this version, I added a single, centered reversed box pleat at the back yoke. I think it adds a touch of elegance that really elevates the look.
View B transforms the same set of pattern pieces into a charming shirt dress with cuffed short sleeves. The silhouette of this dress is subtly shaped to skim your figure without being overly fitted, giving you just the right amount of curve definition. I’m thrilled with how this version turned out, and I hope it inspires you to get creative with it!
Both versions come with the cute chest pocket, which you can choose to add or omit based on your preference. The dress version even includes two pockets, and if you’d like, you can swap them out with any of the pockets from the Classic Shirt pattern for additional styling options.
One of the best things about this pattern is its versatility. All the pattern pieces between the two views are interchangeable. Whether you’re in the mood for a short-sleeved blouse or a long-sleeved dress, this pattern has got you covered. And let’s not forget the cup sizes included—this ensures the full bust adjustment has already been thoughtfully integrated.
If you love the idea of belting your dresses, go ahead and do it with the dress version. Or, for a more personalized touch, you can follow our tutorial to create a self-made sash.
In terms of fabric choices, the possibilities are endless. From flowy silk and rayon to structured linen, lawn, voile, chambray, sateen, and even quilting cotton, there’s something for everyone. For our model’s dress, I went with a sateen fabric, while the pink blouse was crafted using a heavier crepe-y silk. It’s all about finding the right balance of texture and drape to suit your personal style.
I’ll be back next week with some inspiration boards showcasing different fabric combinations and styling ideas. I’ll also share how some of our testers brought this pattern to life in their own unique ways.
In the meantime, you can preorder the Camp Shirt + Dress pattern in either paper or digital format. I can’t wait to see what you create with it. Be sure to tag us using #campshirtdress and #lieslandco when you sew it up!
Until then, happy sewing!