Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Lovely Liberty Christmas Ladies!

Merry belated Christmas and New Year!

We have been in Brisbane visiting my family and arrived back on the 30th of December. It was a whirlwind week, filled with eating, playing, drinking, nursing my new little niece and swimming.

And getting dressed up in new Liberty frocks! Well, for me and Little M anyway. I sewed us both a party frock made from Liberty Tana Lawn. Such lovely fabric. First, my frock:


I made the Sewaholic Lonsdale dress in blue 'Mitsi' Liberty Lawn. I made a muslin of the bodice only - and I'm glad I did as I had to make the following alterations:

  • I started with a size 8 for the bodice but ended up using a size 6, grading to an 8 for the waistband (damn you stomach after childbirth!).
  • I pinched out about 2.5cm of fabric vertically from the front bodice. To do this I created a vertical dart, starting with the 2.5cm at the side, tapering to nothing at the CF. 
  • I used a size 8 skirt - and didn't have to lengthen it! 
  • I also used the largest size for the tie lengths. I'm tall and wanted plenty of tie to get a bow out of. 



I have to wear a strapless bra with this dress, which I'm not crazy about, but apart from that, I am in love with my Lonsdale. It is so comfy to wear and I feel very feminine in it. And it goes perfectly with my new green Funkis clogs:


Now for Little M's frock. I used the 'Poppy' Liberty lawn. Isn't it gorgeous? I sewed a size 2 of Simplicity 1890, a Project Runway pattern. I decided to go with sleeves as we were in sunny hot Queensland and I didn't want those beautiful arms to get burnt. The size 2 is a smidgeon big, but at least that means she'll get more wear out of it! This dress was simple to make - princess seams and very easy to set-in sleeves. Also quick as the pieces are so tiny! I'd recommend.


She's wearing little Saltwater sandals with it - isn't she gorgeous?



She has recently taken to wearing a bangle (bracelet) or two everywhere she goes .... so stylish!!

I had a good break from sewing, but am now champing to get started again on a few things, especially as Leith and I have now booked our flights for our Sydney sewing trip! We'll be there on the weekend of February 8th. Who will be around to join us for a spot of shopping and champers?

10 comments:

  1. Such a lovely Lonsdale and an adorable dress for your tiny person! The lawn looks like a lovely summer fabric :)

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  2. Beautiful Liberty ladies! And the QLD backyard!! I am sooooo excited about our trip to Sydney. Yippee!

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  3. You both look lovely in your liberty frocks - cool, comfortable and stylish.

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  4. Your Lonsdale is divine Rachel, the fabric and colour choice is so perfect and it goes beautifully with your shoes! And Little M is just adorable in her dress...what a cool and talented mummy she has ;o)

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  5. You just can't go past Liberty for a summer frock... you both look wonderful :)

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  6. Lovely dress and happy to hear you are coming up to see us!! Wooo!! Where are you thinking of going? The Remnant Warehouse or something? Let me know and we'll pull together an email. Talk soon. Christy

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  7. Both of your summer dresses are wonderful...nothing bets a lawn dress in the heat. PS I adore M's dimpled elbows.

    I hope all is well in the scorcer Victoria is expecting today.

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  8. Love both those dresses you both you lovely ladies!

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  9. I have shoe envy (yours) and dress envy of course! My daughter has the yellow Saltwaters which she loves!

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  10. Hi - this is the first time I've visited your blog. Love both your dresses, especially the fabric you've made your little one's dress out of. My husband has a shirt in the same material, and I keep asking him if he's had enough of it yet...I have plans for that shirt!

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