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!