Simplicity 2350: Liberty Dress!

I'll admit to being completely, totally intimidated by the idea of cutting into my Liberty of London fabric.  Last spring I bought a couple of yards from the workroom, and it's still sitting on a shelf in my sewing room.  It's not that it isn't lovely--it really, really is--but I was just so worried about making a mess of anything I tried to create with it.

Fast forward to last week, when the workroom got more Liberty fabric in stock.  I knew that the prints I adored the most would go quickly (they did) so I hurried to get some.  Seeing as pretty fabric really should not be stuck on a shelf, I was determined to make a dress, and quickly.

Enter Simplicity 2360.

I realise that I make a lot of dresses with this shape: cap sleeves, billowy top, and sweet, knee-length skirt with a cinched waist.  But since it's become obvious I really, really love this silhouette, it only made sense that I should make something similar out of my Ebs print.

It didn't take long to understand why everyone loves this fabric so much: in addition to the incredible patterns and it's beautiful, silky texture, Liberty fabric is a dream to sew and feels wonderful next to your skin.

The pattern itself was nearly perfect.  Princess seams give the top a bit more shape than my usual patterns, and the cut of the skirt is lovely. I probably could have used a size smaller, and I certainly should have cut lessened the length of the elastic for the waist by a couple of inches.  In the end, though, I'm quite pleased with my new dress!

 

 Our local forecast tells me that summer isn't quite finished in Toronto, but this dress will transition into fall (my favourite season!) just fine with grey tights and a navy cardigan. And now, I've got two more Liberty dresses to make ...