I know it’s been a while (too much of a while…) since we’ve done a Wear Your Style Friday post. Sorry about that. But we’ve been very busy with pattern and fabric design around here lately.
OK, enough with the excuses and on to the good stuff! Here’s a wonderful Diplomat Dress sewn by Rose in an eyelet (yes, eyelet!) that showed up in the Lisette Flickr group recently.
I think this dress is right on trend in terms of color and fabrication, and that it looks wonderful on her! Here’s what Rose has to say about it.
I made the dress to wear to a friend’s recent wedding. I used blue eyelet cotton fabric with a scalloped selvedge edge. I used View B of the pattern with short sleeves, cutting the bottom and sleeves of the dress carefully to have the scalloped edge. I wanted the dress to hit me at the knees, so the complete View B length worked out, with no hemming, although I wish I had cut it about an inch shorter. I used an invisible zipper and let out the side seams a little; otherwise no other modifications. Because of the eyelet holes, I debated whether to add a lining, but decided to just wear a black slip underneath instead. I really enjoyed the pattern and love the fit!
You can see more of Rose’s creations on her blog. Thanks Rose!
This adorable Traveler Dress caught our eye in the Lisette Flickr group recently. It was made by Gail, who blogs over at Today’s Agenda. She wrote twice about her dress, and I love how she accessorized it.
Here’s what Gail has to say about it:
I love shirt dresses, but they can be hard to find in ready-to-wear for anything but a rectangular figure. So I was thrilled to find this Lisette pattern, enabling me to make my own, to fit my curvy frame! I have to admit I copied this dress pretty much to the letter from another seamstress in the Lisette Flickr group, Julieree. I’m a big fan of seersucker for spring and summer, and when I saw her dress in the group pool, I had to make one just like it!
The pattern was a dream to work from. I used the size for my chest measurement, and graded out at the hips to the next size up. In actuality, my hips are two sizes larger than my waist according to the body measurements on the pattern envelope, but I didn’t want to make the skirt appear too A-line, and having used Lisette patterns in the past, I knew there is usually a little extra ease. Worked out perfectly! Now I’m enjoying daydreaming about fabric choices for the next one!
In case you haven’t seen it yet, I wanted to call your attention to the current issue (June/July 2012) of Sew News, which features Lisette on the cover.
Since fashion these days is all about prints–and especially mixing prints–I wrote a little piece for the magazine about successfully combining prints in your own sewing. In the article I provide some tips for mixing and matching prints in ways that will work for everyone, even if you’ve never tried this look. I hope it will help you to combine printed fabrics in ways that are fun and unique to you and your own tastes.
We had fun with the photos for the piece. To illustrate the suggestions I give, I was able to put together several different print combinations for the same pattern, the Lisette Passport Dress and Jacket, to show how print selections can really change the character of a single style.
Sew News has generously provided the article as a free PDF on their website. Hop over there to download your copy. And then start mixing some prints!
Hilary sewed these adorable Souvenir Shorts using one of Denyse Schmidt’s fabrics. (This lightweight canvas is from her County Fair collection if I recall correctly.)
Here’s what she has to say about them:
I saw a pair of floral shorts in a store last year, so when the Souvenir pattern arrived I sewed up the shorts with some flowery home-decor Denyse Schmidt fabric. I think the patterned fabric adds a bit of punch to an otherwise casual outfit. So far, I’ve been wearing them with a t-shirt for hanging out in the garden or at the beach, but I think you could also dress them up them with a lacy top or a cardigan for Sunday brunch. I love that they zip up the side, and have little pleats, which means the front has a smooth, flattering fit. It’s always hard to find time for “selfish sewing”, but these shorts sew up pretty quickly, so I’m already planning another pair in bright blue twill.
I think they look great on her. Thanks for showing us how you wear your style, Hilary!
The Diplomat Dress is getting a lot of love this spring! Next weekend I will be in Boulder, Colorado, leading a fit workshop for the dress at The Makerie. I’m really excited to be helping the participants (I think we should all ourselves “Makeries”) to customize the dress for their own shapes.
Jeanne made this adorable version of the dress (and don’t you love the shoes she has paired with it!) and has this to say about it:
Since the first Diplomat Dress turned out so nicely, I decided to make another one using a smaller scale Lotta Jansdotter print. This time around, I made View B and added short sleeves to the dress. During our recent preview of summer weather here in New England, I paired the dress with cranberry-colored t-straps for an added punch of color. This dress has already proven to be very versatile given its seasonless nature. I’ve worn this dress with tights, boots, and layered a cardigan on top on colder days. Once I find a pattern that I love, I tend to reuse it over and over again, so I’m positive I will be sewing more Diplomat Dresses soon.
I’m glad to hear that, Jeanne. It looks great on you, and I’m eager to see what our workshop participants make for themselves in the coming weeks, too!
You know I always love Jeanne’s style, and she’s back this week (and maybe for the next several weeks because she’s been sewing up a storm!) with some great wear your style photos for you.
Here’s what she has to say about this one:
I adore the simple clean lines of the Diplomat Dress. Given its vintage-inspired silhouette and appealing updated look, I was thrilled to get to work on sewing this dress. I choose to make the mini-dress (View C) with the ¾ sleeves using a bold print by Lotta Jansdotter. I was a bit hesitant of using this fabric given the scale of the print, but even though the pattern on the fabric doesn’t match up exactly at the center seam, I love the result.
This has become my go-to-party dress. I’ve already worn it to a number of evening work-related events, receptions, and parties. Every time I wear it, I receive lovely compliments since it is the most flattering dress I have currently hanging in my closet.
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