Sew: Liberty Lily Party Dress

Inspired by Rachel's modified Gabby dress, I made a modified Lily dress for Mr H's 3rd birthday party. Not that I need an excuse to make a Liberty party dress but it is the perfect time of year to crank out the summer party dresses. Mr N's birthday is in a month, so there may be another party dress in the planning stages. I think it might involve my Mood Ikat cotton...

I originally bought this fabric for a Cambie dress. Not sure what I was thinking but I quickly decided it was a bad idea. So it sat for almost a year waiting for a better plan. I really like Rachel's dress and I love a good sack dress on a hot day. The fabric just screams fun, party and ruffle to me. Anyone else get those vibes?? No? Oh well...

I started with the Lily dress pattern because I adore the neckline. I sized down from my previous Lily dress and then graded the side seams in 10cm on each side at the hip level. The ruffles needed to start at my high thigh so I cut the hem off at 80cm. The ruffle is a gathered 30cm strip of fabric the width of the fabric (attached front and back). I used a 6.5cm hem to give it a bit of weight (which failed) and stiffness at the hem.

Once sewn up, I had to play with the side seams to get the fit just right. I ended up taking in the side seams another centimetre at the top grading back out at the waist. The armholes and neckline are finished with self fabric bias binding.

The back grabs a bit on my undies and I should probably wear slinky undies but the skirt has a tendency to fly up in a gust of wind. So it's a fine line between good solid undies that you can show the world when a gust of wind presents itself or a pair of slinky undies that won't grab the fabric. Tough decisions, tough decisions. 

Overall, a perfect dress for a sunny afternoon BBQ with a bunch of kids under 5. It was lovely and Mr H had a wonderful time.

Project Details
Pattern: Tessuti Lily Linen Dress, size L, modified
Fabric: Liberty Pointillism in Red from Shaukat
Alterations: Shortened to 80cm from shoulder, reduced width by 10cm each side, added 30cm ruffle (6cm hem)

My boys are a little Lego obsessed. So I decided a Lego cake was in order for Mr H. It went down a treat and he was beside himself with excitement. It tasted pretty good as well!

L x

Sew: Vogue 8495 in Liberty Wiltshire

I think Wiltshire would have to be my favourite Liberty print. And this is by far my favourite colourway. This is my third make in this print. Like Kristie, I've been hoarding this fabric for a special project. Never mind the fact that I can always buy more of it.  

The original plan was to make a smock style top and combine a beautiful white cotton lace remnant with the Liberty Wiltshire. But I could never get the combo of the lace and Liberty perfect, or find the perfect pattern. I also just wanted a loose blouse that I could wear all the time in hot weather. So I gave up on matching the lace and Liberty and went with the simple plan.

The pattern is an old Vogue pattern that I bought when I first starting sewing my clothes. I made it in a silk cotton print that was beautiful to wear. The only reason I got rid of it was that my sewing wasn't very good back then and it fell apart. I was going through my patterns recently when i spotted it and thought it would go well with the Wiltshire print. A match made in heaven!

Project Details
Pattern: Vogue 8495, size 16
Fabric: Liberty Wiltshire in Red from Shaukat
Alterations: Removed yoke facing and finished neck and armholes with self fabric bias binding.

I wore it today around the house and to swimming lessons with my denim Moss Mini and a pair of polka dot Tom's shoes. I paired it with a red cardi this morning which really changed the look of the print.

Love it. Now Melbourne, bring on Summer!!

L x

Sew: Vogue 7837 Liberty Pyjama Pants

 After the epic Gridlock dressmaking adventure, I was hankering for a simple project. I was also in desperate need for some new pyjama bottoms. Enter Liberty fabric and a classic Vogue sewing pattern!

Project Details
Pattern: Vogue 7837, view E, size L
Fabric: Abbey Pool Liberty fabric in orange & green from Shaukat
Notions: Yellow cotton drill tape & 1cm wide non-roll elastic from Clegs

These were so quick and easy. I have another pair waiting for elastic. Then it is on to my SewcieTea Dress...

L x

Sew: Vogue 1027 in Liberty!!

How can you tell I really, really like this dress? I use a LOT of exclamation marks!!!!!! What's not to love? Liberty fabric - check! Beautiful soft jersey - check! Flattering classic pattern - check!

The fabric is a Liberty cotton jersey that is beautiful and soft but with limited stretch and almost no recovery. It drapes beautifully. It was a toss up between this "red" and a bright blue version. I chose this orange red colour so my mum purchased the blue version. Can't wait to see what she makes up!

I made a straight size 16, with no alterations. I've used a size 14 for this pattern before but this Liberty jersey has limited stretch and recovery. I used a strip of interfacing on the front neckline to prevent the bias stretching out. As usual, I omitted the armscye and simply turned it over 1.5cm and stitched with a twin needle. I finished the neck, arms and hem with a twin needle. I also inserted swimsuit elastic into the back waist seam to keep that firm.

I highly recommend this pattern if you don't already own it. It is a great pattern that is flattering on all body types and is especially lovely in Liberty!

Project Details
Pattern: Vogue 1027, size 16
Fabric: Liberty Granton Cotton Jersey in Red from Shaukat

I love this dress so much, I might just make another. STAT!

L x

Sew: Liberty Lonsdale Dress

I'm on a bit of a Liberty roll at the moment. This is my second Liberty dress this week! Plus I have a Liberty Grainline Scout tee cut out and waiting. Maybe I can make it three in a week...

This project has been on my list since the end of last Summer but Winter rolled in and it was put aside waiting for some warm weather. I pulled it out last week hoping to make it up for Mr H's birthday party. Thankfully it was a very simple and enjoyable project. That didn't stop me from hemming it two hours before the guests arrived!

Project Details
Pattern: Sewaholic Lonsdale Dress
Fabric: Liberty Amy Hurrell Blue from Shaukat
Alterations: Used 4cm seam allowance for centre back (will go down a size next time).

I am still getting used to Liberty prints. The patterns are lovely but some of the fine patterns look lighter from a distance.  The Amy Hurrell print looks quite dark and blue up close but when made in to a dress and from a distance the print looks quite pale. I am used to wearing dark prints and just need to keep this in mind.

 

 

Two of the party guests were also wearing handmade Liberty dresses. So we got a photo of the Liberty ladies. Unfortunately the light was not good.

 

 

 

We had a lovely afternoon with friends to celebrate Mr H's 2nd birthday. I feel a great sense of achievement to have made it sanely to 4 years of motherhood and 2 years of Mr H. Mr H has been trouble since his arrival with a stint in NICU with neonatal meningitis, two separate eye injuries and a partial thumb amputation. But we've made it. I did however recently do a paediatric first aid course...

 

Happy 2nd Birthday Mr H!! We love you to the moon and back. 

The last minute madness may have been associated more with the cake than the dress. Look at this masterpiece!! It was a Vanilla Bean Rainbow Layer Cake with Vanilla Bean Frosting and it was awesome.

I hope you've all had a lovely weekend. We certainly did. I'm off to recover from that rainbow cake and to find out how to make a Lightning McQueen cake for a soon to be 4 year old...

Wish me luck!

L x

Sew: Simplicity 2215 Liberty Dress

 

 

Simplicity 2215, how I love thee?! I've made the skirt three times now so it was time for the dress version. I asked you all what to do with this Liberty way back in March. It was a choice between the Colette Peony dress and Simplicity 2215. The Simplicity won out.

 

 

 

Yet, it was almost not meant to be. I had great difficulty with the neckline gaping, both back and front, and was very tempted to cut the bodice off and turn it into a skirt. Wouldn't it be a great skirt with a red grosgrain ribbon as the waistband?!

 

 

Despite the temptation I persisted and make a few alterations to achieve the finished result. I inserted two small darts in the back neckline to remove the gaping. Thankfully Liberty prints are very forgiving. I couldn't use darts in the front so I asymmetrically overlapped the front by an extra 1cm at the top to remove the gaping. I then simply stitched the buttons on in a straight line. The bottom four buttons are non-functioning and stitched right through. The top button is also decorative with a snap to close the front. You need that to open so you can get your head out.

Project Details
Pattern: Simplicity 2215 Dress
Fabric: Liberty Tatum Dark Blue from Shaukat
Alterations: Inserted two small darts in back neckline and overlapped front top by an extra 1cm.

I really need to sort out this alteration for back and front neckline gaping. I have noticed it a lot in dresses I made last year which have high necklines. Fit for Real People has no helpful suggestions. Any suggestions?

 

 

I'm really pleased with my new Liberty dress. I do love a bit of Liberty. I'm actually sewing a Liberty Lonsdale dress for Mr H's birthday party tomorrow. It is coming together superbly.

 

I'm off to bake a rainbow cake!! Wish me luck.

 

L x

 



Sew: Black Wool + Liberty Minoru

It is done... finally! I got a little sidetracked while making this jacket but the sudden onset of cold weather spurred me on. I am very pleased with the end result and have worn it every day since it's completion. A sign of good things!

Hidden pockets!

Side seam pockets!

I didn't make the hood this time as I find the collar a bit bulky with the hood folded in to it. I didn't think this would work with a wool coating and I am glad I made that call. Even though I chose a relatively lightweight wool for this jacket, it was still quite bulky to sew (especially the cuffs). I also inserted sideseam pockets made from the Liberty lining fabric using the template from Sew Well. Perfect for my keys and tissues. I omitted the velcro on the inside pockets and made them a little bit longer to fit my iPhone and Myki. I find that I can't get my phone out of my summer Minoru quickly enough.

The other change I made was to use a slippery lining fabric for the sleeves so that my cardigan and long sleeve tops didn't get stuck. This was a great decision and I highly recommend this.

Overall, a fantastic jacket that I am sure will get much wear over the coming months.

Project Details
Pattern: Sewaholic Minoru Jacket (size 16 - no alterations)
Fabric: Main - black wool coating from Tessuti Melbourne, Lining - Liberty Lantana from Shaukat (for body) and Black Bemberg Lining from Tessuti Melbourne (for sleeves)

L x