Today I start introducing our new Spring-Summer 2013 patterns. These new styles should be available on our website by March 5 and at your local retailers around the world shortly thereafter. So without further ado, let me introduce you to the Roller Skate Dress + Tunic.
This season I thought we could all use a dress pattern that would be like a blank canvas. You know what I mean: a dress that you can make over and over again and still have lots of fun making and customizing. I wanted it to be a dress with really simple lines, not a lot of seams, and still enough interest that it could stand on its own as a great design that could be made many times and never get boring.
The idea here is that this dress is simple enough that it can support really bold prints, can be embellished in all sorts of ways, can be made for everyday use as well as for dressier occasions, and will be a staple pattern that you’ll reach for time and again. I’m really pleased with the results and hope that you’ll love it too.
This pattern is, for all intents and purposes, just two pieces. But it’s also a fully lined dress! Remember the Bubble Dress? This has the same built-in cap sleeve style that you like so much. So there’s no sleeve to set in or attach. And no buttonhole! We’ve designed the dress with an on-seam opening at the back and a button loop, so you won’t need to deal with any complicated closures. (Although I know you’ve getting really good at buttonholes and zippers. We’ve been thrilled at your response to those patterns and everything you tell us you’re learning from them.) It also has an enclosed elasticized empire waist, so it really is just as straightforward a dress as can be.
Of course simple and straightforward is great, but what about the fun part? Well, my favorite part of this dress is the optional yoke (View B) that makes a really sweet neckline and gives you a chance to use a contrast fabric. The yoke is really easy to sew using our method. And we’ve included a cut line so you can make both versions of the the dress as a tunic, too.
So we’ve already included four different looks in the envelope. But with just a few small changes you’ll find all sorts of options. You could easily lower the elastic casing for the empire waist for a different look. And if you cut the lining and the outside fabric the same length, the dress could very easily be reversible, so there’s a big option right there, for those of you who love reversible.
Of course, we didn’t let it stand there. You know you can embellish your sewing a million different ways, right? In a few days I’ll show you how to make this version of the dress with little houses appliqued at the hem. I’ve been working up a template so you can reproduce this yourself, but I’ll also talk you through the process so you can design your own applique. We’ve just started carrying a couple of products that will make it really easy.
We rated this pattern two scissors, but it’s an easy two scissors. I’m really excited to see what you do with this pattern, and I suspect you’ll be using it a lot. I know I am.