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Introducing Lily

Meet Lily.

While working on this pattern, we sort of informally code-named it Sophia, because it reminded Caitlin and I of something Sophia Loren would have worn, perhaps in white with big sunglasses and the kind of perfectly golden skin we pasty pacific northwesterners can only dream of. I promptly sewed one up in white pique for my trip to Argentina, which some of you super sleuths already discovered.

Back to the pattern. As you can see, Lily is a classic princess-seamed sundress. I absolutely love princess seams for fitted dresses like this because they’re so easy to alter and get exactly the fit you want. The cut of this dress is designed to skim the curves; it’s not tight, but it still gives that dash of summery sex appeal. A kickpleat in the back insures easy mobility too.

The flaps on the neckline and pocket can be done in a contrasting fabric or your main fabric. I think it will be a lot of fun to play with those flaps… I can see them gussied up with all kinds of trim, appliques, or embroidery. The neckline is also a nice place to pin a brooch. I can’t resist a brooch.

This blue sample we made is in a linen blend fabric. I loved this fabric so much I went back and bought more for myself.

The peach version was done in a lightweight cotton twill.

And finally, a purple cotton pique. Pique is a great choice for this dress. It screams summer, it’s super comfortable, and has just the right amount of weight and structure.

I think it looks lovely with a light summer sweater or jacket too.

Lily is marked as intermediate, though I came pretty close to calling it a beginner pattern. It’s pretty easy to sew, it just takes a bit more time to cut than most beginner patterns. But I think a patient beginner would be fine.


Visit Lily in the shop
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Sarai Mitnick

Founder

Sarai started Colette back in 2009. She believes the primary role of a business should be to help people. She loves good books, sewing with wool, her charming cats, working in her garden, and eating salsa.

Comments

Hillary

April 10, 2012 #

I absolutely adore this dress! Yes Sophia Loren, my thoughts exactly! I codenamed it “bombshell dress” forgetting Gertie had one of same name, but it’s very definition of such to me. The apricot version is absolutely to die for- all the design elements seem to pop from the subtlety of the color!

Liz

April 10, 2012 #

Oh my, Lily is gorgeous!

Amanda

April 10, 2012 #

This is absolutely STUNNING!!! My hands-down favourite Colette dress so far!!!!!!

Mariah

April 10, 2012 #

I love this dress! It is so simple, summery and comfortable!

Melanie

April 10, 2012 #

I think this one might just be my favourite of the three.. but they’re all so good!

It may be coming on winter in Australia but that won’t stop me. Great work, 3 more fantastic patterns :)

Leah

April 10, 2012 #

I love this! I love this I love this I love this I totally bought it. So flattering!

LadyKatza

April 10, 2012 #

I’m in love with this dress. Like IN LOVE. It reminds me of the Roobios but for not office wear. AWESOME.

Candace Duffy Jones

April 11, 2012 #

What a beautiful sundress. This one is going on my list of must have patterns!