In October we celebrated Frocktober over on The Monthly Stitch. I made two dresses and here is the first, a Sewaholic Lonsdale.
I was super excited about summer this year (I’m super excited for summer EVERY year) so I decided that my Lonsdale would be very summery and required birds so I pulled this gorgeous Joel Dewberry Sparrows print from my stash. I bought it a while ago with no particular pattern in mind and I could see it as the most fabulous Lonsdale…except that according to the envelope back I did not have enough.
Challenge accepted!
The cutting layout was useless to me anyway, being drawn up for fabric with no direction I put it aside and set to work. A few test layouts later (with furry help) I discovered I could fit my Lonsdale on by cutting the internal lining upside down and piecing the straps.
Another option if you want a Lonsdale from a shorter length of fabric is to cut the bodice lining from a contrast fabric. If you wanted your straps to be the same as the self fabric then just piece them on.
Yeah!
It is quite long though! I’m going to mark my preferred length on the pattern for next time so I can save on fabric.
I do find the knot a bit uncomfortable when sitting for long periods, it digs into my spine. I have seen variations where the straps are sewn into the bodice and I think my next version will be like that.
If you are interested in sewing up a Lonsdale Tasia has a sew along on her blog and over on The Monthly Stitch I did a little “Sew with Us” series (less technical, more fun and visual) so you can take a look some more construction photos over there.
Jenna and Kat took these photos for me on the Petone foreshore.
I envisioned a gorgeous day with sea views and Wellington but we got wind instead.
It was fun…even if I did have to delete about 20 “knicker shots” ;)
Taking photos with other sewists is the best, so I’ll leave you with a little behind the scenes action:
THE DEETS:
Pattern – Sewaholic Lonsdale, variation a, size 12
Next time I need to mark the hem length on the pattern to save fabric and I would like to try just attaching the straps to the back bodice instead of the loops and bow.
Fabric – Joel Dewberry print from the Aviary 2 collection called Sparrows