Ahhh, it’s so good to be back in the warm and cuddly embrace of my favorite fabric species! I have totally enjoyed Sunni’s 2-in-1 Sewalong and learned some nifty things.Secretly I have always feared shirtwaist dresses more than spiders! 
Yes, I dream about Donna Reed attacking Tokyo and taking on Mothra!
Unspeakable, isn’t it? It’s the collar flange and the buttons holes lining up- oh, I’m starting to shake a little bit. But my fear is almost totally gone now, thank you Sunni- your collar anatomy class and the facing trick made everything work so well, I may go up to Ma’s attic and look for my old Rubik’s cube. I think I can master it now! Here is the latest victim!
I totally went for the yellow model- but a solid color? Oh, nay, that just isn’t going to happen. There are WAY too many faux animal prints out there to try such silliness!
I always read thru my pattern instructions first, but changing the order of construction just never occurred to me. Sewing the skirt first and letting it hang just seems so obvious now! Whoa! Extreme frog closeup! 
Well, as you can see, I never found the magic buttons. We even went to the huge warehouse sale in Williamston last week and there was a herd of the oddest people blocking the bulk button bin. I almost unleashed Mr B- he can be very persuasive with his thunderous looks of displeasure and angry bull sighing. God bless him, he was hungry too- it could have turned into an incident, but no. I chose to use my powers for good.
Since this fabric has a lot going on-purr… I decided to use concealed snaps and frog closures. Frogs and leopards. It’s like ‘Chutes and ladders’ but with more blood loss.
I’m rather pleased with this- I don’t think the style will replace tunics on me- love me some tunics, but I feel like a major sewing hurdle has been crossed. It also is a serious adult work dress if called upon to go to meetin’. Ok, maybe Hilary Clinton wouldn’t wear a leopard shirt dress to meet dignitaries, but maybe she should…..
Thank you Sunni!!!
photo credits: pattern review, meadhawg, google images
Oh, it’s just purrrrfect! It looks great on you – fear was worth facing and the amphibian mamal combo is a touch of genius!
Oh thank you! You are too kind as always!
I feel that leopard print is practically a neutral.
You look fabulous – and I love the frog closures!
I think animal prints work well as neutrals- I just love them with everything else. My Mother would not agree!
Frogs and leopards, oh my! I love the fashion zoo that is you. Absolutely beautiful dress!
I love yours!!
wow! it looks so pretty! love the fastening as well!!! well done!
oh thank you!
LOVE this! It looks fantastic!
You are too kind!
Pwoarrr! I love this! You must not fear the shirtdress because it becomes you so!
I may have to seek out some more similiar styles- I enjoyed this make alot.
Love the hat too! Such a cute outfit, you are so ready to meet dignitaries. good choice on the closures.
My fav little hat- I never get to wear it enough!
Great Job!! Your dress is lovely and the fit…perfection.
Oh, I am seriously sucking in!!
This is my favourite of the things you’ve made. I love it and I want it! I adore animal prints. I like pairing red or purple with them for some reason. You look so lovely and cute in this dress, it really is fantastic. The frog closures are inspired!
Oh, thank you!!
Lovely! I’m getting a 30s vibe from the shape and the hat – very elegant.
I channel Dorothy Parker whenever possible!
Hey hey that looks awesome
aw!
Huzzah! You have made another winner!
Now i need a Collette or two!
Looks great on you
I have this pattern in my “stash” maybe I should try it. 
Go check out the sewalong- it was really helpful!
A perfect 10 from me. I love this on you!!
It would be better with little seed beads……
I think there are not enough sparkly leopards, you would be a rare creature indeed!
That is a great style for you. Very flattering!
Beth
When I outgrow it I’ll give it to you to remodel!
Oh, ya!!!
This looks fabulous! I think the hat adds a lot to the outfit as well
HAHA – “Frogs and leopards. It’s like Chutes & Ladders with more blood loss.” This made my day!!
I should have worn my tiny tophat- tho is frightens my motherinlaw!
You look amazing in this dress! Love your description of your new garment!
thats my favorite part!
Awesome! The fit is amazing!
thank you!
You look great! I love your impish expression in some of these pics.
We were about 5 minutes in front of a huge storm- that was my ‘hurray, up sweet volunteer husband- little Anne is getting humid’ face.
Very, very pretty. Leopard print is definitely in it’s own category. I agree that it can be totally neutral. I’ve always wanted to go to that place in Williamston but was worried it would be mostly home decor stuff. Is it worth it?
It can be hit and miss- I’d say it’s 75% home decor, but they have some weird little notions and buttons and dance/formal fabrics. For people watching it can’t be beat!
Your dress looks great! I’m not an animal print kinda gal, but this looks so cute on you. Actually, I can picture Camilla wearing an animal print at a christening. And Golda Meir probably wore animal prints at every third bris.
Nothing livens up a bris like cheetah!
Cougar in a cheetah print eyes the mohel seductively… they meet at the buffet. She carefully adds a slice of corned beef to her rye bread. “May I spread some mustard on your roll?” She asks. He pauses and meets her eyes.
Oy! Thats some knishes on that one!
That dress in that fabric looks G-RR-R-R-reat on you! Well done.
aw, thank you!
Apurable. WHAT? Yes, I went there. I love this.
I love that you go there!
That animal print dress looks absolutely great on you! I love the frog closures. I’d make a shirtdress if I thought I’d get to wear many dresses this year, but Simplicity patterns come up very large on me.
Maybe thats why I like Simplicity! I keep pushing myself to wear dresses- I even bought a little crinoline!
Oooooh, I love this! The hat is supah cute too
Oh, thank you so much-
Lovely dress! My favorite RTW dress in my closet is a shirtdress, and I aspire to make something similar… Yours looks wonderful. I feel inspired to tackle such a project
Do it, do it! it was such a fun make.
Lovely fit and I like the frogs and leopard.
I’m an equal opportunity animal weaer, don’t you know.
That is seriously fabulous! Great fit too.
I will have to caper about town often in it!
What a great dress, everything gels and it just seems to belong on you!
It’s the keds with the pompom ball on the toes, isn’t it?
You look great in that dress! The neckline, the sleeves, the skirt, everything is so flattering. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone on this one really paid off. Now you *have* to make a couple more. Hillary will remember if you wear the same thing when you go see her again…
I do have a gingham hiding in the textile hoarders closet…..
Perfect dress for catin’ around! And your styling is “spot” on.
Meow!
Perfect fit! May I add that you look great in leopard and the frog clasps were genius!!
I honestly just couldn’t find any buttons that fit, it was terrible! I think I leopard’d myself into a corner, style-wise….
Damn all the good puns have been taken so I will just say I like your dress.
I know what you mean about the plain fabric – I shocked myself and bought two pieces of plain fabric this week but one was a silver silk dupoini look alike and the other was a most beautiful greeny, blue silk feel material.
Oh, those fabrics sound quite covetable! Whats the plan?
Lookin’ good! Rawr!
Leopard print shirt dress? This combines two of my favourite things. Why didn’t I think of it first? It looks fabulous on you and I love the hat, also.
Wishin’ I were Carrey Mulligan in my hat!
Perfect dress! No gaps at the front and razor sharp points on the collar. Really well done. You are entitled to be proud.
Oh, thank you! Sunni’s tutorials were really helpful!
Ditto, ditto, ditto to all of the above!!! Just lovely
Aw, you know- this style would be so good on you…..
Grrr Baby Grrrr! You look marvelous. Have the doxies recognized that it’s a cat species you’re wearing? And spots no less. The canines Cruella Deville!
katze can’t imagine an animal more atractive than her, I’m sure!
Gorgeous! I am jealous….wish I could sew but my house is currently torn up. And now I want to invent a Frogs and Leopards game!
You’d be the best game inventor!
This is so chic! It looks wonderful on you!
me chic? oh, thats marvelous!
I want something in a pink leopard print too! Jealous – love this.
you must have! You have a lovely tropical setting- you need a jungle cat!
Eeek, I knew I should have gone with the leopard!! Next dress…
Good choice, leopard. Takes the edge off the seriousness of a shirtdress. Great fit too.
I can’t have a serious shirtdress, I never go anywhere serious!
Babe, only you could think of a “frogs and leopards” shirt waist dress! It’s SO awesome! Fits you perfectly. I’d say you have overcome your fear.
Well done!!!!
Fabulous!
Absolutely love this! I’m a serious lover of animal prints and this one looks fabulous and chic. Awesome idea for the from closures too! Very nicely done! Thanks so much for participating – means alot to me!
I had a great time and learned alot. Thank you for this!
Beautiful dress! My mom just said that I never seem to sew solid-coloured items. Too many fab prints!
Nice job. That amount of buttonholes terrifies me.
I love this!! I am a sucker for animal prints!