Hello! Today after many months, I want to write about a dress that I finished last month.
I finally dug into the book by Liesl Gibson of Oliver+S. And, I am so glad I did because all I have been making for N off late has been nothing but basic stuff — pants, leggings and t-shirts, and it was time for a good ol’ dress. N chose the fabric first (a nice bright print which I brought in Pune many moons ago) and she chose the basic dress from the book but wanted puffed sleeves. So I modified the basic sleeves according to Liesl ‘s instructions which of course (given her instructions) went off without a hitch. N also wanted some kind of a belt but not one that had a bow to tie at the back or front. So we settled for simple thing just slightly bigger than her waist that she could close with a flower pin (her idea, again). With the help of pinterest tutorials for DIY felt flowers I figured out how to make the flower, and voila! There’s a dress!
I quite like it and N is pretty pleased with it too. The other minor changes are that I lined the bodice (with no particular instructions from anywhere) for a neater and cleaner neckline and didn’t feel the need to add a placket to the skirt (at the back) as N is very slim waisted. I made it in size 7 with 1″ added to bodice and 1.5″ to the skirt.
We made several attempts to photograph it, but I am afraid this time I am settling for photos that I am not so pleased with (plus it appears that we do not have a decent iron either). She has worn it all of March and we didn’t manage one decent photo. So here is what I have.
Needless to say, it was a pleasure to sew from the book; Liesl’s instructions always give a professional finish, and being able to make changes to the basic pattern made me feel like I was doing a pattern hack 🙂 (I am one of those people who is always in awe of hacks that other sewists manage brilliantly but never seem to find the time nor head space for it!).
Besides, who doesn’t like a pop of colour. Its such a cheerful shade or orange and a good reminder that mangoes will come our way soon!
Asmita/xx
I love it Asmita! The colour, and the fact that your daughter helped choose her design elements. Isn’t the Building Block Dress book great? And the felt flower is lovely – well done! She looks very pleased with it too.
The book is fantastic Gayatri. And it make me feel very accomplished 🙂 Thanks for writing in.
Lovely dress!! I sent you an email by the way you got time to check it?
Thanks Cweetgal. I am not sure which email you mean?
I sent one to elephantinthestudy@gmail.com on March 4.
Perfect dress Asmita! Your daughter looks so pleased with it and and it great that it has been a co-work project. I also have Liesl’s book and love it – though I am afraid I will never actually use it as my daughters no longer want to wear dresses…
Ah, that’s sad Marta. I am not sure how long my luck too will hold, but I want to try and use this book as much as I can while my luck lasts 🙂 I hope your daughters change their mind soon! Thanks for writing. It’s always so lovely to hear from you.
I Love using that book. Funny the point you said about pattern hacking. Im the person who can’t just follow a pattern to a T. I alwayssss hack. I can’t even help it. I love the book as well. I’ve found myself even hacking those basics – A lost cause here 😉