Anna S has made The Liberty Wilder Gown using the gorgeous Lodden organic print. It’s the second Wilder Gown dress she’s made! You may have seen the first one a few weeks ago using Millie A organic fabric. I love this pattern. The gypsy style dress has been so useful this summer and moves into autumn really well too.
What inspired your fabric choice? I chose the gorgeous blue organic Lodden C for this version of the Liberty Wilder Gown as I thought it was classic and I’m drawn to blue a LOT!. I needed to make a dress for the wedding of Louise and Eddy (Louise and her team make all of the gorgeous sewing kits for Alice Caroline) and loved this print. I am always drawn to blue colour ways of prints and love the William Morris design of Lodden. This print was originally design by Morris in 1884 and is a true classic of the Arts and Crafts style. William Morris was one of many English architects, botanists and fine artists who worked in textile design and manufacture in the mid 19th century. He excelled at using botanical subjects as complex repeating patterns. This design joined the Liberty classic collection in 2011. Liberty do blue so well which makes my heart sing. There is always a large and wonderful choice of blue Liberty fabrics.”
How did you choose the pattern? I found this pattern by chance. It’s from the Friday Pattern Company and called The Wilder Gown. We’ve bought some patterns to share the Wilder Gown love with you too. It’s a loose flow, tiered dress that can be sewn in a variety of different ways. It has raglan sleeves and ties at the neck. It can be made as a top or dress, long or short sleeved, with one skirt tier or two. The pattern is really easy to follow – the top part took around 1.5 hours to construct. The bottom section took a little longer simply because it has so many gathers in 2 layers. It’s worth taking some time to make sure the gathers are evenly spread and that you have the fabric seams in the place you would like them to be.”
Did you make any alterations to the pattern?
“No – although I really regret not adding side pockets so will unpick my side seams and add those in when I’ve finished the Flower Garden quilt. I find pockets super useful in a dress and they will be really easy to add in. We all need a pocket to pop a phone or pair of glasses in!”
I love the neck detail in this dress – was it difficult to sew? “No – it was really easy. You simply make a channel in the neckline and the tie gathers it all in around the neck. I chose the pattern specifically for this element of the pattern as I wanted the flexibility of a loose or tight fit around the neck.”
Are you pleased with the dress?
“I’m really pleased with it. I’ve already worn it on Sewing Street TV and to Louise’s wedding (which incidentally was an incredible day of fun, laughter and of course, Liberty dresses! I simply love the classic Lodden print and think it works really well with the dress design.”
