Lovely Linen Laurel

After spending ages convincing myself I wasn't going to buy Colette's new Laurel dress pattern I totally caved and bought it!  Must have been the lure of the fabulous prizes in their contest (not that I expect to win for one minute!)

I had some navy viscose/linen in my stash that I bought quite recently to make another dress with and when it arrived (I bought it online) it didn't feel right for the other dress.  However it was perfect for Laurel.

This is what I did with it.


I  couldn't be bothered to make a muslin, so I used my NL6000 pattern (which fits perfectly) to make a few minor adjustments, but after that I went my own way completely. 

I drafted some little pockets, which I think you can just about see have a little pleat at the top.  The bias tape edging the neck and pockets is self made (my first time at making bias tape - managed to burn my fingers several times!) and I used the scallops from the bottom of Colette's Meringue skirt pattern.

Inside, the side seams, shoulder seams and sleeve seams are French seams (my favourite seam finish), the armhole/sleeve seams are bound with bias tape (my second favourite seam finish) and the edge of the hem facing is covered with bias tape and hand finished.  I thought I'd got photos of them but it appears I've deleted them by mistake.  Ooops!

Anyway, I love it.  I think it will (weather permitting) make a great addition to my Me Made May wardrobe, and I've entered it into the "Details" section of Colette's Laurel contest. 


I'm currently halfway through making a stripy top from the jersey Rosy sent me as part of my Nautical gift exchange, then it's on to unselfish sewing!

Last night I took delivery of £400 worth of embroidered silk dupion and satin back crepe to make a "Mother of the Groom" outfit for a friend of ours.  I'm absolutely terrified about cutting the silk up, it cost £85 a metre!   First job is to grade up the pattern slightly and make a muslin!

16 comments

  1. So cute!

    Yikes - that embroidered silk sounds terrifying! I've got my fingers crossed for you that everything goes well!

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    1. Thank you! Yes, the silk sounds terrifying to me too. If it wasn't for the fact I need a steady hand and all my whits about me, I'd be tempted to have a stiff drink before I cut it! ;-)

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  2. Love this dress and the pocket details etc. But your next endeavour, I can't imagine cutting into material that cost £85 a metre! Good luck! ;-)

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    1. Thank you Sally. I shall use my brother-in-law's mantra of "Measure twice, cut once". He's a carpenter, so knows how important measuring accurately is.

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  3. I LOVE the scallops at the hem. What a great idea. And I can't believe how unselfish you are when it comes to sewing! You are amazing. Good luck with the silk.

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    1. Thank you! The scallops were a flash of inspiration.

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  4. Sam, you clever thing you!! What gorgeous details, scallops along the hem and such cute pockets!! It looks lovely, brilliantl interpretation, love it!!

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    1. Thanks Winnie! I was worried that the combination of scallops, cute pockets and floral bias tape would make it look to young, but I think I've pulled it off! ;-)

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  5. Your dress is beautiful, I love the scalloped hem.. Great idea. I too, have told myself I would not buy the Laurel pattern.. but gave in and ordered it.. Have seen to many pretty versions of it.
    OH, I don't blame you, I would be terrified to cut the silk too. Happy sewing.

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    1. Thank you! Yes, once you've seen so many lovely versions of a pattern it's very hard to stop yourself from buying it, isn't it!?

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  6. You've done a lovely job of your dress - the bias is a perfect touch! I agree about the burnt fingers though - I'm sporting a lovely long iron burn on my forearm at the moment ... that'll teach me for using the ironing board as a working surface with a hot iron on my right ...
    I am shaking at the thought of that fabric you have to cut into ....

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    1. Aw, thank you! I tend to use my ironing board as a work surface too, so far I've managed to avoid burns.

      Yes, I'm shaking at the thought of cutting that fabric. It's sitting all wrapped up in a bag in my lounge at the moment, and I'm even scared something's going to happen to it like that!

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  7. Thats a lovely little dress and has turned a potentially boring fabric if made the wrong way into something really lovely.

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    1. Thank you. Yes, navy linen could have made for a very boring dress!

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  8. Very smart - the pockets are my favourite bit. I think the risk of burnt fingers means bias binding making should qualify as an extreme sport! :)

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    1. Thanks Jacq. ANY kind of ironing should be an extreme sport in my book, not just bias binding making!

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