Burda Style For people who sew
Description
This is quite possibly the most flattering dress I have ever made. In fact, I received several compliments the first time I wore it – which was just to run errands last week. I kept getting, “I love your dress” all day long. I felt kind of like a movie star in the dress, getting all these looks from everyone. It was very fun.
This is the Lonsdale Dress from Sewaholic Patterns. The instructions are top notch and the pattern is drafted perfectly, meaning that all the notches and such line up with each other. The sort of funny thing for me is that this pattern looks harder than it really is and in fact this pattern was easy peasy. I loved it! If you even considered sewing this up for yourself – DO IT and do it NOW! Yay!
I know you’re all wondering about the fabric – isn’t it just darling? It’s a polka dot linen from Yellow Bird Fabrics – a local Utah apparel fabrics shop.
I made a few alterations to the pattern itself, just for the fun of it. What’s a bag of tricks if you never use em right? I shirred the back panels of the bodice. Doing this prevented me from self facing the back panels, so only the front are faced/lined. No biggie. I’m also not exactly the type that can run around without a bra. I’m a just a tad too busty for it (unless I’m in a darkish billowy dress) so I did a little bust padding in the front. A little couture done light, if you will. I made my own bust pads, following Tasia’s tutorial and just tacked those puppies into a muslin underlining I had created to go on the inside of the front panel pieces. I’m pretty satisfied with the look of those and even more satisfied that no, indeed I do not have to wear a bra. That kind of freedom can’t be bought.
The front panels are lined twice (the muslin with the bust padding) and also with a white linen. Since I did the shirring, I found too, that the section right to the sides of the bust gaped a little. I added a little elastic there to nip it in so that there was no peeking down and into my bust area. All in all the bodice was the most difficult and only because I made it that way. The skirt section is lined in a cheap silk I had on hand. The polka dot linen was a little on the see through side for the skirt, but putting in a lining could not have been easier. I decided early on that I wanted to try out my rolled hem on my serger for the lining. This being a “Summer of Love” dress, I wanted everything to be easy – no pun intended, of course. After doing the lining with my serger’s rolled hem, I just threw caution to the wind and decided to do the hem of the outer dress as well in the same fashion. Is that cheating? Because if its not, it certainly felt like it. Still, I love the way it looks. It has a great summery, no fuss feeling, which ultimately was what I was going for.
I think the only thing that I could have benefited from was a waistline stay. Since I planned to always wear a belt with this dress, I didn’t do one, but will definitely consider it for a future round. Love this dress!
Material Notes
polka dot linen, white linen, muslin, cotton batting, silk lining, thread, zipper
Difficulty
Novice
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Jan 4, 2013, 08.32 PMby razieh khlili
Hello. Truly you are an artist tasteful. Good luck.
Aug 15, 2011, 02.58 PMby auroras-y-sirenas
I’m also finishing a Lonsdale dress and I have to say that your version is from my modest point of view the most beautiful I’ve seen: LOVELY!!!
Aug 8, 2011, 06.05 AMby olystyrene
What a gorgeous dress! You a right – it is EVER so flattering! That neck detail is gooorgeous!
Aug 4, 2011, 04.41 AMby luxihere
Inspired by Lonsdale dress, i self drafted pattern and made a summer dress for my DD, in fact 2 dresses, they can viewed here
http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/back-to-school-new-dress
http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/adjustable-yellow-flower-summer-dress
I had posted a comment saying thanks to Tasia on her blog as well, but mysteriously my comments never showed up though i could see other comments posted after that (based on time) visible. anyway owner of the site decides what comments to publish or not, isn’t it. But i publish all comments which are decent and are not Spam on my blog. I hope this comment atleast stays published and dresses inspired by Lonsdale dress also gets shared.
Aug 3, 2011, 05.53 PMby thefabledneedle
It’s beautiful, no wonder you got compliments all day! It’s very flattering on you and I love the fabric choice.
Aug 3, 2011, 04.33 PMby julib
So cute! I love your fabric choice – the blue polka dots on the white fabric is so beautiful and fun! :-)
Aug 3, 2011, 01.59 PMby elegantmusings
I know I already said this on your blog, but I LOVE how your Lonsdale turned out! ;) You’ve set the bar high, Sunni, for everyone! :D (I mean that in the nicest, complimentary way, dear!)
Aug 3, 2011, 06.12 AMby Ralf Schmitz
lovely lovely dress and great fit! no wonder, that you got so much compliments on it!
Aug 3, 2011, 01.48 AMby anandahernandez
I saw your dress post it on tumblr. Lucky that I found it on burdastyle. It’s a beautiful dress I love it.
Aug 3, 2011, 01.14 AMby wildcatspow
Love love love love LOVE it! Soooooooo cute!!!
Aug 3, 2011, 12.25 AMby saylavie
wow, this dress is really nice! i wanna make one now!
Aug 2, 2011, 11.39 PMby SDCunni
Very nice. I love sewing with linen fabric. Excellent job!
Aug 2, 2011, 06.51 PMby Aspidistra
Love it so much!
Aug 2, 2011, 06.39 PMby anneecharri
really pretty:)
Aug 2, 2011, 06.34 PMby Denim Skirts Etc
You’re right – the dress is so flattering. I love the fabric.
Aug 2, 2011, 05.27 PMby secondbedroom
So pretty! Thanks for also giving a quick review of the pattern. I’ve been thinking about trying it (if I can ever find the time…)
Aug 2, 2011, 04.02 PMby Pepper Toast
As usual, another winner from you and Tasia! Polka dot linen…. can it get more perfect?!
Aug 2, 2011, 03.01 PMby pamela gozho
beautiful
Aug 2, 2011, 02.24 PMby keren
I love it! It really does look great on you. I’ll be sure to check out the pattern.