STYLISH DRESS BOOK : ‘B’ LIBERTY DRESS
Stylish Dress Book (available at the workroom)
Dress ‘B’ : Liberty of London ‘Mauvey’
I wanted to try making Top ‘B’ from Stylish Dress Book as a dress since I loved the pattern so much. I’ve already made this pattern twice (version 1 & 2). The pattern modifications were pretty simple. I extended the pattern pieces for the front and back and added side seam pockets.
This darker version of the ‘Mauvey’ Liberty of London print seemed so perfect for this fall. I’ve been adding purple tones to my standard grey wardrobe recently. Every time I wear one of my Liberty dresses, I always want to make more. They are so easy to wear and feel really great!
Similar to Dress ‘S’, I knew that I would be adding shirring to get the dress to fit better. This time I started my lines lower, closer to my waist and did seven lines. It is amazing what a difference this simple technique makes and now the dress fits like a glove.
I have never put pockets in a Liberty dress before, so I wasn’t sure what to use. I ended up cutting into a piece of fabric that I bought in Paris. I almost feel like a Liberty dress should be lined with more Liberty. Mostly because there really isn’t anything like the weight and feel of the Tana Lawn cotton.
As soon as the weather turns cold, I get the urge to dress only in jeans and sweaters. I’m trying to resist the urge this season and make more dresses and skirts that are suitable for colder weather with tights. So far, so good.
NOTE : Please note there is a tricky part to making the gathered sleeve on this pattern when you are tracing out the pattern. See my comments here.
21 comments
wow! that dress is amazing! you look so pretty
Very pretty dress and great photos (I’d never noticed pretty colours on a skip before!).
Karyn you look stunning, so elegant. I agree that the shirring makes all the difference with the fit, and it makes the dress look much fresher too. I feel the need to do some more sewing for myself coming on!
It’s beautiful–You did a wonderful job!
That shirring is such a nice effect. It’s so flattering.
Love love the dress & I adore that liberty fabric. You make such beautiful things Karyn – truly an inspiration!!!
The dress looks great and I like how the colours match the backdrop in the photo! You could also wear a thin turtleneck sweater under dresses too to keep them going through winter.
I’m actually giving away a copy of Stylish Dress Book #2 this week: http://sewinlove.com.au/2010/10/13/online-contest-win-japanese-sewing-pattern-book/
Absolutely beautiful!
I love Liberty! Your dress is so pretty!
karyn, the styling on this shoot, the dress, the fabirc – it’s all so great! was admiring your shoes in the foyer at erica’s – loving them with the darker grey tights!
Inspiring! Fabulous!
Lovely, lovely dress. Just wondering, where did you get those awesome boots?
It’s beautiful and has done nothing to quell my shirring addiction – it’s amazing quite what it different fit it can give to things.
Love the grey tights too.
Florence x
Ahhh love those boots!! Can I ask where you got them??
gorgeous as usual! i’d really like to see your closet.must be packed with loveliness.
ps.i have a big crush on your boots.
thanks everyone! the shooties (shoe/booties) are from Coclico in New York. My favourite shoe store for sure. The shoe is called ‘kita fumo’ they were a bit of a splurge, so i gave them to myself for my birthday!
So amazing on you!
You have a really amazing eye for pattern! I think if I would have seen this in the shop, I would have walked past it, completely intimidated by all the things I couldn’t make with it.
This turned out fantastic. Is shirring those elastic bunches (?) in the middle?
Effusive reader! About you, I brag. ^_^
I absolutely love your photos! That fabric looks amazing. I really want a copy of the Stylish Dress Book but I need to go through the books I have now!
Beautifull dress, the pattern and the way it fits the body. But what fascinated me most at these photographs is the way the dog is looking at the person taking the picture.Adorable!