What did I wear on a 40 degree summer day in Melbourne?
My new sleeveless Lily Linen Dress of course!
This Lily has been planned and talked about since last September (when I made my mustard version), cut out since January (11 months ago!) and she was sewn up at Sewjourn last the weekend. Lily is a VERY patient girl!
I now feel the need to gush about this pattern. The fit is perfect (straight out of the packet is a rarity for me), I adore the neckline, the pockets are awesome and the little pleats on the hemline are the icing on the cake. It’s the perfect hot summer day dress.
I must confess that the pocket placement and hemline pleats required some guesswork on this version. When I packed for Sewjourn I remembered the pre-cut fabric, matching thread, instructions and a printed copy of the pocket tutorial, but I left my pattern at home. I didn’t think I needed it, but naughtily I hadn’t transferred the pattern markings onto the fabric when I cut it out. Luckily, Lara has an excellent memory and with her expert guidance and my relaxed attitude – sewing weekends are good for the soul – the pockets look exactly as they should. I added 16 rather than 12 pleats to the hem just because I could. I’m such a rebel!
Pattern: Tessuti’s Lily Linen Dress
Size: S
Fabric: Olive green enzymed washed linen from Tessuti (purchased 12 mths ago)
Alterations: I eliminated the sleeves and bound the armholes with bias binding (as per the neckline). I added four extra pleats to the hemline.
I forgot how much I love sewing and wearing linen and I’m inspired to make some more linen dresses for the summer. My head is swimming with ideas. I think I need to sit down and daydream some more…
This dress suits you beautifully…just your style and colour. Linen sounds lovely and cool for the summer ahead.
Thanks Jean Margaret. I think that this dress will be on high rotation this summer.
Very very Anna!
Thanks Lizzy.
love the dress- it looks so cool an light. Not seen a hem like that before, it is rather fab. what is a sewing weekend a class or just a meet up with other like minded stitchers? feeling rather jealous of your weather it is freezing in the UK.
Thanks Louise. Sewjourn is a house and studio that is an hours drive from Melbourne and can be rented for sewing or craft weekends. I recently spent the weekend there with three other Melbourne sewing bloggers. It was such fun.
I really love this dress and could have happily stolen it when you were looking the other way! You’ve inspired me to sew up a sleeveless Lily in a solid (mine is in a print). I’m looking forward to seeing your Eva too. And I’m enjoying your new photo location!
And I want to steal lots of your makes too! There will definitely be more Lily’s in my life. Photo shoots are currently confined to the courtyard as the rest of the garden is dirt. We look forward to grass, trees and shrubs in the new year.
I’m wearing my new one today! It is the perfect hot day dress. And linen…. Well, you know how I feel about linen. Bring on The Drapery!!
Yah for our upcoming visit to The Drapery. I swapped my Lily for a Gabby today. Loving those Tessuti patterns at the moment.
I made this up last summer in the exact same fabric! (just as well I live in Adelaide) and loved every minute of sewing it. I made a quick muslin of the bodice as I’d never sewn with these patterns before and went down a size, and then it was perfect. I love wearing it with some colourful beads and it’s so comfy.
We can be twins from afar. I’ve made quite a few of the Tessuti patterns and they don’t disappoint. I brought the Tokyo Jacket pattern and some appropriate fabric yesterday and it will be under the Xmas tree for me 🙂
It looks perfect. I remember that hot day but can’t recall that I looked anything like as stylish!
Very kind words. It was the perfect Christmas Day outfit too!
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