Burda Style For people who sew

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  Mar 25, 2010, 02.03 PMby jescarose

  This is really beautiful, very inspiring. I’ve had this pattern sitting around since last summer, intending to make the perfect summer dress but then the weather changed for the worse and i never really got around to it. Just wondering if you could give me a’couple of pointers on which pattern pieces are mislabelled and what you found difficult and altered in the dress (not including the bottom lining – i’m with you, linings are over rated) just so i have a bit of a heads up. Getting a bit worried about attempting this dress with all the problems people have been having but i still want that perfect summer dress now the weathers starting to change. I should be able to take it in my stride as i am going off to do a fashion degree and university, but i still dont have as much confidence in my ability as i probably should have haha. Thanks :)
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  Mar 25, 2009, 06.06 AMby minid

  Wow this is such an amazing dress!!!

  I’ve been after a nice maxi-dress since last summer so this one I’ll wear my Cate – that is if I manage to get it right….! Maybe I’m a bit over ambitious as this is my first project but after seeing your creation I couldn’t stop myself…. I had to buy the pattern :) I’ve bought a beautiful 60’s style, flowery, white and green fabric very cheap so I’m going to give it a go!!

  Lauren, thank you very much for the inspiration x

  Mini
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  Jan 28, 2009, 11.06 AMby dianneny

  I really love your dress! Do you think I can do a petite version?
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  Oct 20, 2008, 03.00 PMby yoko-1

  This dress works really well…wow…the colours, style…length of dress – i really like it. This has given me ideas for my own dress if (when) i make mine. Thanks for sharing! :o)
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  Aug 12, 2008, 06.50 PMby dazzychica

  That is probably the single-most beautiful maxi dress I have EVER seen, and that includes the department store dresses! drool
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  Aug 11, 2008, 12.13 AMby helenamarie

  oh my! This dress, I love!
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  Aug 5, 2008, 08.17 AMby hollyweird

  wow. I’ve seen a lot of Empire dresses on the runways lately.. more formal and hard to wear out.. But this is simply gorgeous! (and wearable) I might give it a burl with satin. seriously, wow. Great job! and the ruffles are too cute.
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  May 12, 2008, 10.28 PMby enero

  Beautiful!
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  Apr 23, 2008, 11.53 AMby mokil

  Simply beautiful! Love the fabric combinations – very upscale!
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  Apr 10, 2008, 05.35 PMby laurenfortgang

  Yes, it drags on the floor, but that’s because I didn’t hem it yet! I also sort of like that it drags about but, of course, I live in NYC, so ground-draggage isn’t ideal!

  YES, I lined the top…and trust me, I TRIED to skip it…because I skip or simplify where ever possible! But you really need to follow all of the top steps because there are several steps, and interfacing, all of which helps with the fit and sturdiness of the bust. So I would do it. But no lining on the skirt! Not for me!

  I think I only had a 2 yards or so of that fabric…maybe 1.5. Maybe I narrowed the skirt a bit just to get it to fit…can’t remember. But it’s so full, a small narrowing wouldn’t make a bit of difference. I think I followed the directions right on the Cate page. It said to lengthen the dress by 18 inches if you wanted floor-length. Worked like a charm. I’m 5’7".

  It does stay on the bust. No elastic. But I’m really flat..so..who knows. Often heavy, beaded dresses have a ‘belt’ on the inside that give extra security. So maybe look into that. I also thought a halter strap (maybe even removable with a hook?) might be appropriate!

  I’m so pleased you all like it so much! Me too! It was 70 degrees today…almost time!!! :-)
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  Apr 9, 2008, 12.09 PMby teamydear

  Waw! It reminds me of this H&M by Marimekko dress! Like here. How much fabric did you need to make it that long? I also wonder if it drags the floor! And doesn’t it slide off your bust when you move? Or did you do something to make it fit very well? I am adoring this!
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  Apr 8, 2008, 06.13 PMby michalanne

  i like the dress a lot. just bought some jersey fabrics to create myown. did you say you did or didn’t line the top portion? the bottom doesnt need lining for the jersey but i’m wondering if i should line the top.
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  Apr 3, 2008, 09.44 PMby reneebeth

  I always thought long dresses were only fancy evening gowns, but this one looks so wearable and carefree (but still elegant, of course). Makes me want to try a long summer dress. Does it drag on the floor?
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  Mar 27, 2008, 07.51 PMby antigone

  This dress is so elegant!
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  Mar 27, 2008, 05.22 AMby keelysews

  Hi Lauren, this is GORGEOUS! I love your fabric combo and you look great in your creation!!
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  Mar 26, 2008, 10.01 AMby oonaballoona

  wow, lauren, this is awesome. i bought this pattern months ago and it’s been sitting in my computer. i LOVE the tuxedo ruffle, it changes the whole dress (raises hand mischievously to steal brilliant idea as well), and your fabric combination is genius! and i did wonder if you were freezing on that balcony… you are going to tear brooklyn up come the summer. i am a bit afraid of the wonky instructions now… too bad it’s on a paid pattern, but oh well, i always skip the lining anyways :)
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  Mar 26, 2008, 08.20 AMby lybu

  This dress is beautiful. Looks fresh and lovely. I like the fabric combination and colour
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  Mar 25, 2008, 10.40 PMby laurenfortgang

  absolutely karen! of course i don’t mind! that’s what we’re here for, right! i wish it were summer here! i was freezing out on the fire escape taking that picture! i’m just waiting for the weather to heat up so i can wear all these dresses. and thanks to all who like the fabric. i think i’m going to buy more cotton solids (maybe orange or yellow) to pair with this fabric. i love it. and the vivid solids remind me of lollipops or candy!
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  Mar 25, 2008, 06.04 PMby emilywirt

  This dress looks beautiful! I love the green with the black and white pattern. I want a long dress like this now. Nice work!
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  Mar 25, 2008, 05.31 PMby olar

  Beautiful dress! it is very special!
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  Mar 25, 2008, 04.54 PMby allie31991

  simply gorgeous! it looks so versatile and fun! great job!
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  Mar 25, 2008, 02.14 PMby karencilla

  I love it! I should do something like that (if you don’t mind! haha) but shorter, you know here in my country is Summer ALL the time!!
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  Mar 25, 2008, 01.06 PMby laurenfortgang

  Yes, yes, yes..I had TONS of problems with the pattern! I thought I was just an idiot because I could not make it make sense. But since I didn’t use lining, I just ignored most of that and just made it work. I also found the pieces mislabeled… But now that I’ve gone through it once, I’ll just not try to figure it out next time…and just go for it!

  And thanks for all the great feedback…as always!!!
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  Mar 25, 2008, 11.49 AMby lcavagnolo

  This is fabulous! If the bottom is a stretch knit, you can probably just cut it straight and it will curl up on itself slightly with washing. Did you have problems with the pattern instructions like I did? Seeing your casual version makes me want to retry it using my own directions! :)
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  Mar 25, 2008, 11.30 AMby kasia26

  Great version of Cate! I like the fabric combination.
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  Mar 25, 2008, 11.22 AMby sabine

  Wow, seeing it here makes me think of buying it! Did you have any issues with the pattern itself?
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  Mar 25, 2008, 11.06 AMby polychromatin

  Yeah, you’re the first to have the heart to do this dress! It looks really beautiful! I thought about it, too, maybe I’ll make also one for summer :)
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  Mar 25, 2008, 10.47 AMby lauriana

  Wow, I like it! Now, I really want a long flowy summer dress too… To answer some of your questions: most types of jersey don’t really need hemming. A strapless dress needs to stay up, so if you feel secure yours will, just leave it like this, if you don’t I’d recommend going for an inner belt or/and halter straps, rather than elastic. The only inner belt I’ve ever made was very simple: just a strip of about 2 cm wide twill tape with the two halves of a trouser hook at the ends. It needs to be as long as the piece of the bodice it’s attached to and can be tacked in place at the side seams and maybe some other places with a couple of hand stitches. However that was a waistband for a strapless dress which was fitted down to the hips, yours might need a different approach.