When I saw Treasured by Lilac Lane I fell in love with the classic whimsical look of this dress.....and I knew it was one that had so many possibilities in what one could create with one simple pattern. The pattern details this dress as one that is perfect for weddings, first communions or baptisms...but it is also perfect for a shabby chic look if you need something a little less formal but you are still wanting that major WOW factor!!!
The pattern is a whopping 147 pages...but do not let this discourage you!! Just make sure to print just the size you are needing so you don't end up using up all of that precious ink (you can find printing size information on page 14 of the instructions)!!! The actual instructions on this pattern start on page 4 and go through page 9 with only 26 steps to create this amazing dress!!! There are a few rectangle pieces for the ruffles and for the sash and the measurements for those are given on page 4.
The fit of this dress is perfect! I fell in love with the drop waist and it fell perfectly on my little! Not too low so that it would hit her hip area in an odd way, but low enough to give the bodice an elongated look which clearly sets this dress apart from so many others! The bodice also gives you plenty of room of you want to add your own unique touch....maybe a row of buttons or a ruffle or two down the the front...I left ours plain as we had enough going on with the prints....but once again...the possibilities are endless ladies!!! There was also plenty of room in the armpit area but it wasn't so big that it would gape open and let those girly bits show from the side....we are a "no girly bit showing household" so this was perfect!!! This pattern also goes from a size 2T to a 12 so it's great for matching sister dresses or one to grown with your little through time.
I loved the double skirt...I also loved the fact that it had shape to it so that there was flow as opposed to it being just rectangular. The ruffles are generous so if you are looking for a not so ruffely look just take some length off like I did! I also wanted my bottom skirt to show a little more so I did a couple pin tucks on the side to show of the stripes that I had used in the bodice. That too is an easy modification. Or you can also do what the instructions say and just make the a size smaller in the length of the top skirt if you would like to show off more of the bottom skirt.
The pattern went together very easily and I have to say that I absolutely LOVE the grid background on the pattern....everything lines up so perfectly and I believe that this is the first pattern that I have ever put together that does a grid background! I truly love that touch. All of the pattern pieces are labeled with what they are, the size and the name of the pattern which is nice if you are anything like me and have a million pattern pieces scattered around for a million different patterns.
So far this pattern offers a unique look that is truly one of a kind. It has a great fit.....it has a large size range...and who hoo....a pattern on a grid for such an ease for taping together!!!
This pattern is listed for an intermediate level sewist. The instructions brief and to the point and if you are a beginner sewist might seem intimidating or possibly confusing. There are detailed pictures throughout the pattern so if you are a beginner and feeling adventurous give this pattern a whirl and you might just be surprised at your outcome.
I love this pattern....I think I might have said that a time or two, but i seriously do! I love the fact that if we have something fancy schmancy to go to I can make a killer fancy dress....and if we want a unique look I can make a killer unique dress....and if I want a shabby chic look I can make a killer shabby dress....can you see where I am going with this!
I love patterns that are not the same as a million other patterns and this one fits that bill!!! I love the way this dress turned out and what I love even more is the fact that my little loves it as much as I do!!!!
Happy Tuesday!!!
~Rebecca~
XOXOXOXOXO
