introducing the souvenir dress, blouse and shorts

I’ve been looking forward to introducing you to this style, the Souvenir Dress, Blouse and Shorts.  This style came from two sources. It was initially inspired by a favorite blouse I own, and that design inspired the Oliver + S Class Picnic blouse, which in turn inspired this pattern.

 

 

The dress and top are a relaxed, pull-on style with no closures. The raglan sleeves, square neckline and yoke are all fun details. I love the way we clean-finished the yoke. It’s a fun, easy style to sew, and I’m a big fan of the dropped-waist dress style, which I’m happy to report has been making its way back into fashion. (I’m planning to wear this dress at the Sewing and Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, Washington, tomorrow where it’s expected to snow. Here’s hoping I don’t freeze!)

 

 

The shortened top version of this pattern is my “go-to” blouse pattern this summer. It sews together quickly, and the relaxed fit is perfect for our ridiculously hot, humid summers here in New York. I’ll be making it in our printed lawns so I’ll have a variety of comfortable tops to choose from. I made sure the hem at the sleeves was really wide to give it a little weight and so it would be a visible detail when made up in semi-sheer fabrics like this, too. You’ll see what I mean when you make it yourself.

And of course the shorts. They’re short, but not too short. I think they have a little bit of a vintage appeal, don’t you? But they’re completely modern, too. The waistband sits below the waist, a little lower than most of our other styles so far, and the wide yoke is flattering to your backside, if you know what I mean. (It’s a little like well-placed back pockets on jeans. Have you read this blog post about “Mom jeans”?) The front pleats give a little extra room through the hips and thigh, and the side zipper keeps the silhouette looking clean (and makes the shorts much easier to sew than a traditional fly). See? I never dreamed I’d be posting photos of myself wearing shorts on the internet. Goodness.

 

 

And one last thing: While I was sewing my Souvenir Dress a couple of weeks ago it occurred to me that I could make a similar dress for S by lengthening the Oliver + S Class Picnic Blouse by a couple of inches and adding a ruffle for the hem. We even took a photo together for you. (See? Mother-daughter dressing? I’m finally there.)

 

 

So there you have it: two mother-daughter designs, in one season.

11 Comments:

Erin Waters said...

Sooo, basically in those shorts you look like you used to be a Rockette. Here’s to hoping my exercising will pay off so I look like that in those shorts…oh, and love the pattern 🙂

Karen said...

That last picture….priceless. Love all of it.

Katja Magus said...

You’ll look lovely, but you will freeze!- bring a cardi- that big fair building is chilly! And wool tights are a necessity in our damp chilly climate…usually until about june…ha! …see you soon! Katja

Sarah said...

Oh my goodness! I love this pattern. I will be making all the versions for this summer. And the class picnic dress for S is too cute. I will making that same dress for my daughters. Great job!

Juliet said...

I am warming up to the dress, I like the idea of a dropped waist. Love the shorts and blouse, I would like to see the waist though.

KarenD said...

Of all the patterns in the new collection this is the one I loved the most and I am just about to cut my fabric for the shorts and a dress. A very versatile pattern, I am planning on wearing the dress in winter with boots and tights and in summer with sandals. I also loved the fabrics on the pattern so much that I bought the exact same ones from Spotlight! Not very imaginative of me but I love that I can do this and know I’ll be happy with the look. Thanks Leisl.

Melanie said...

You two look so flippin cute together! I loved dropped waist dresses when I was a teenager, but am on the fence now. I love the blouse and recognized the class picnic blouse instantly. I adore the shorts and even though my legs do not look like yours, I will make them for sure. Because if I sew them myself, I will hem them to exactly the most flattering length for me! Isn’t that the beauty?

Jane O'Reilly said...

The red version is absolutely lovely, has totally sold me on this pattern! Any idea when we’ll be able to get the new patterns in the UK?

Rebecca said...

I admit, it’s the fabric that you are modeling that sells me on these! (Like Jane—the red is FABULOUS). Thanks for the hint to modify the Picnic pattern. 🙂

Emily said...

I did a dress version of the class picnic blouse for my daughter – instead of adding a ruffle, I lengthened it and then added a two-color sash at the waist.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilysteed/6316422693/in/photostream/

Kelly said...

What are the dimensions you used for the class picnic dress ruffle. I would be making a size 5 and I would hate to have it not look similar to this cutie… I guess I could make a muslin, but who really wants to do that. 🙂

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