Burda Style For people who sew
valentine dress
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Description
Dress created from the Lydia tshirt pattern.
Lydia Tshirt Modifications: I was inspired by a cute top I spotted in the Anthropologie catalog. The shirring along the neckline really caught my eye! I decided to convert the Lydia tshirt into a loose-fit dress; something that I could just toss on and not really have to think about. I chose a pretty, lightweight (and very drapey!) red jersey to make it up in. I referenced the instructions for turning the pattern into a v-neck dress; mostly for making sure I was extending the length of the pattern correctly. I based the length off of one of my favorite dresses (a cute, cotton Libertine for Target frock). I followed the directions for lengthening the pattern, and then struck out on my own for the remainder of the changes. The neckline is scooped out quite a bit; I didn’t measure how deep I cut—I just eyeballed it knowing what I am comfortable wearing. The center front edge I extended 3 1/2” out, to allow for the shirring. The back I also scooped the neckline, making sure I cute the shoulder to match the adjusted front shoulder. I measured in 2” from the center back edge, and slashed the pattern completely down the length, and spread 2”. While you could just add the additional measurement onto the CB, I felt that it would be best to spread the extra material along the neckline. After I made these changes, I made sure I smoothed all the curves. To do the shirring, (it looks like the gathering before doing English style smocking), I ran five rows of gathering stitches along the front edge. I started these approximately 5” from the CF, and spaced them roughly 3/8” – 1/2” apart. You could do more rows of smocking if you’d like (next time I want to try 7-11 rows of gathers). I gathered up all the threads at once, pulling the fabric up to about 5” of shirring. I pulled the top threads to the wrong side of the fabric and tied each off securely. I repeated these steps for the two rows of back shirring. For the neckline binding, I followed the instructions given in an article (http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00218.asp) from Threads magazine (Oct./Nov. 2007 issue). I cut two long strips of the jersey on the bias, stitched each piece to the front and back necklines (right sides together). After that I stitched the shoulder seams together, continuing the line of stitching along the bias-binding seams at the shoulder (I also stabilized the dress shoulder seams with a small strip of lightweight, mesh lace). I graded the neckline/binding seam to 1/4” all around, turned the binding to the inside, pinned along the “ditch” (seam) on the right side, and stitched-in-the-ditch along the right side. I then trimmed the excess binding along the wrong side. The sleeves were hemmed, and then flat-set into the armholes prior to sewing the side seams. This allowed for greater control over the ease of the sleeve cap, and I just stretched the armhole and cap as I stitched over areas where there was more cap fabric than armhole. I then pinned the side seams, including the sleeves, together and stitched. Trimmed the seam, and turned the hem up and did a double row of stitching. It was a really easy project; taking about 4 hours to complete (not including cutting time; I tend to be very slow and methodical when cutting stretch knits!). I think it would have gone faster had I not adjusted several design features as I went along (so I ended up taking out a few things). There are lots of variations you could do with this basic idea—my head is already swimming with possibilities! I want to try doing some decorative smocking stitches along the shirring on the front; perhaps in a contrasting color. The sleeves could be shortened, made to puffed cap-sleeves, bell sleeves, etc. Different fabric colors or patterns could be combined (I’m dreaming up a solid/pattern combination!). I really love the easy wearability of this dress; I just “test drove” it, and have to say it is the nicest dress I’ve ever worn! I basically “forgot” about it, since there was nothing to make sure stayed put, cinched or didn’t cling! lol.If anyone is interested, I’d be happy to do a photo tutorial on how to do the shirring on jersey!!
Material Notes
lightweight red jersey (blend); purchased on the sale table.
Categories
Credits
http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00218.asp (Sew a Figure Flattering Tee)
http://www.burdastyle.com/howtos/show/175 (how to adjust the tshirt pattern into a dress)
19 Comments
This project is based on
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Lydia
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Jun 6, 2009, 02.26 AMby toril
well! this one is just adorable!
Jan 25, 2009, 02.39 AMby PageZ
I LOVE that dress. When you say that you used jersey from the sale table – that’s not Joann’s fabric is it? How many yards of fabric did you use? And are you still going to do the tutorial. I would love to see it as well. Thanks for sharing (:
May 9, 2008, 06.13 AMby kess
what the lace at the bottom? is it a slip or did you add it yourself?
i love it! love it love it love it
Mar 4, 2008, 09.08 AMby Lilo
LOVE it!
I like your frame (at the right) for hanging up jewelery (I’m also past by the number of jewelery one can manage in a drawer, but i simply tensed some copperline between two nails on the side of my closet)
Feb 20, 2008, 04.21 PMby awatermullen
I just LOVE this dress. If I give you my address can I have it? haha.
Feb 20, 2008, 03.03 PMby staticstasy
ooo! cool! ;)
Feb 18, 2008, 08.04 AMby gunstreetgirl
reconsidering that this used to be the ‘Lydia’-shirt I think you should submit this as an entirely new pattern.
It’s so well done!
Feb 16, 2008, 02.19 PMby zora
I love it! Thanks a lot for describing how you altered the Lydia shirt to make this fabulous dress.
Feb 14, 2008, 11.54 PMby admin
This is super cute! It would be awesome if you could do a how-to for how you did the neckline with the bias-cut strips. Jerseys are still a little daunting for me, but this inspires me to do something similar with satin and pin-tucks!
Feb 14, 2008, 03.32 PMby elegantmusings
staticstasy: its actually one of my vintage slips peeking out a bit (intentionally) at the hem! :)
Feb 14, 2008, 02.21 PMby staticstasy
wow thats a great dress! i love the lace at the bottom… what is it? is it on the dress?
Feb 14, 2008, 02.11 PMby elegantmusings
thanks for the nice comments!!! :) I’ll be working on a little tutorial for smocking on jersey, since it seems to be a popular request! ;)
Feb 14, 2008, 05.22 AMby LYBU
Lovely. I like this idea.
Feb 14, 2008, 05.21 AMby LYBU
Lovely. I like your idea to make the neck line that way.
Feb 14, 2008, 03.34 AMby fashion1
great job! love the neckline!
Feb 13, 2008, 06.36 PMby EmilyKate
Yes yes yet a how to on the smocking you did PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE! Your dress is beautiful. Such a great colour!
Feb 13, 2008, 06.06 PMby admin
I lOVE this! A how-to on the smocking detailed would be much appreciated. You are very talented.
Feb 13, 2008, 04.47 PMby Wendyxo
Very nice. I like the neck line.
Feb 13, 2008, 10.43 AMby franfaircloth
I LOVE this! How did you do the smocking at the neckline?