Sewing: "Lille" Blue Gingham Dress for My 1950s Self

When I saw Kelly's Lille dress for the July women's pattern subscription of The Sew What Club (read more about this fabulous new pattern club in my post here) I was dying to sew one for myself. I had a fabric picked out, but then I saw this blue and white gingham and thought I really needed a little Lille to satisfy my inner 1950s housewife.

I love this dress! Such a classic shape. It's so feminine! I think it's great with heels (I'm wearing the Oriana Billy shoes in Honey Leather) but this gingham would be cute casual too, don't you think? With a cardigan? Lots of possibilities.

I took Kelly's advice, which she provides in the pattern, and sewed a muslin first. I skip this step most of the time because I am impatient, but for a fitted dress like this it is worth it. Plus I sewed it in a nice cotton and used it as a full lining. It did make it possible for me to work out some fit details so that the dress looks custom made. I shortened the back length and moved some darts. I created more fullness in the sleeve with a little puff on the top. 

I changed the tiny single pleats on the skirt (such a great design detail) to tiny double pleats but otherwise the skirt fit as-is. It's such a flattering and forgiving shape! The high set-in waist band is great and I love the slight a-line which makes it possible to walk without a slit. You can see some pictures of the prototype Kelly sewed on The Sew What Club website in the patterns section, where you can also preview the August patterns.

The result is a dress I don't have to tug at, and I pattern I'll use again and again. I already have another Lille Dress cut out.

If you were thinking about joining The Sew What Club you only have through July 31st to get the July patterns. Don't miss out on Lille!

(In addition to designing exclusive patterns for The Sew What Club members, I'm also an affiliate, which means this post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links and subscribe I'll receive a small compensation.)