I’m thrilled to introduce the THIRD pattern from Sewaholic Patterns – the Lonsdale Dress!
This is my favourite one so far. I love everything about this dress! This is the perfect summer dress to me – it’s flattering, comfortable, has pockets, shows off the waistline, and is easy to ride a bike in!
It has pockets! The pattern uses the same easy and flat construction as the Crescent Skirt. Perfect for toting a credit card and lip gloss for days when you want to leave the purse at home.
Your choice of two lengths: universally flattering just-below-the-knee length, and a longer full length. I’m working on a full-length version and can’t wait to wear it!
This fabric is a vintage cotton seersucker I purchased on Etsy in the fall. I like the rippled texture and pretty floral print. It’ll be nice and cool when the weather warms up!
The waistband is at the natural waist for a comfortable fit. It looks great worn with a belt or without!
What’s the name mean? Lonsdale is named for Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. To get there by transit, you take a SeaBus across the water from downtown Vancouver. It’s a tourist attraction, with a market full of yummy foods and neat gifts, and a beautiful view looking back at downtown Vancouver. And this is exactly the type of dress for a weekend at the market! North Vancouver is a beautiful area, with Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain, home of the Grouse Grind, ‘Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.‘
Back to the dress. It’s the ideal thing for hot summer days – thrown on one easy piece and go!
The great part about the bow-tied ends is that they’re adjustable! You can easily pull the straps tighter or loosen them up for extra room. Tie the front in a half-knot (my favourite look) or a full-knot (my sister’s favourite look) to change it up.
It works for riding a bike! I’ve worn it to work biking and the skirt is definitely long enough for modesty, flared enough for maximum leg movement.
Best of all, it’s easy to sew! Even easier than the Crescent Skirt, I’d say. No darts! Minimal hand-sewing! Easy pockets!
I made the first sample up in about four hours, from cutting to hemming, and that includes pausing for photos! I’m fast, but you’ll be nearly as fast, I’m sure.
Pre-sales are starting very soon! Sign up to the mailing list to be eligible for advance ordering and special offers.
What do you think? Do you like it? It’s out for printing right now, and scheduled to ship by mid-July. I have another dress in printed cotton lawn to post soon, and I’m planning a soft rayon for the full length version. What fabric would you use for this dress?
Have an awesome weekend and stay tuned for more on this exciting new pattern!
I LOVE it! It looks so wearable and comfy! Well done!
Bravo, Tasia! I am so happy to finally see the actual dress. Your teaser email was nice, but I just love being able to see the dress “in person.” Keep up the great work, and I look forward to more fun Sew-Alongs!
I can’t wait for this pattern. Your previous two have been easy to make with clever, thoughtful instructions and have produced clothes I feel excited about wearing. I appreciate the time and effort that has gone into making these patterns such a pleasure to use and I very much appreciate the time you put into your sew a longs.
It’s lovely but I’m another one for whom the bra thing would limit the amount I wore the finished product (and I’m a small-busted pear).
I love that it’s not a halter.
In reference to Amy’s question about strapless bras, I recommend Fantasie’s strapless/convertible bra. I’m a DD and had a really hard time finding a good strapless bra. This bra is more supportive without straps than some of my bras WITH straps. Also, you have the option of wearing it with straps, with criss-crossed straps, or even halter style (but since the straps are set far apart at the front it wouldn’t work for this dress). It is expensive (I paid 150 CDN two years ago) but being able to jump in a strapless bra with minimal bounce is worth the price tag for me, not to mention being able to wear spaghetti straps, one-shouldered and strapless tops and dresses. Hope this helps.
I love this dress! I actually bought some yellow fabric yesterday and was thinking of making something like that…can’t wait to get my hands on it :o)
I’m afraid this one would be a Pass for me. You’re a cutie and look adorable in it, but you also don’t have to worry about the bust issues I do (and most people do, actually). You’re severely limiting sale of this one by not providing an alternate bodice that works WITH a bra. Hope you don’t mind the honest critique.
The dress is super cute and the fabric is fabulous!
Doesn’t worry me – I’m a D-DD (depending on the bra brand) and I see no problems with wearing this, albeit with a strapless bra. I’m used to having to choose clothes based on whether or not the bra will be visible, and hey, if I’m making it, then no problem.
It’s ordered, along with the Pendrell and Crescent, which I’ve been coveting for a while and finally bit the bullet ;-)
Just ordered it and looking forward to sewing it!
(for your biz research, I’ll admit that I’m hesitant about the design of the bodice. I have a decent strapless but I prefer a real bra, and I’ve never tried this neckline. They say halters/necklines like this are good for pear-shapes by drawing attention upward but I’ve never found them ultimately flattering on me. But buying it anyhow to support and learn when I do the sewalong after the fact. Also pretty sure I’ll eventually be good enough to modify the top of the bodice. AND, really intrigued by the potential of a non-empire waist maxi dress.)
I wish it came in size 18,
Oh, that is SO cute! The neckline is something that doesn’t look good on me, nor can I get away with a strapless bra. However, I can hardly wait to see other people make and wear the dress!
Love love love it! I’m so excited! I for one love halter styles (I’m very small busted), and the knot front/bow back is the cutest variation on the style I’ve seen in a long time. Plus I’ve been wanting a seersucker dress for a while and this’ll be perfect! Do I really have to wait for it to be printed? ;)
@Vicki Kate:
Hmm, comments about strapless bras has got me thinking! It wouldn’t be cleavage-flashy so I think I’ll add this and would love to join a sewalong!
I love this dress! I also love the fabric! I really love that it has pockets. That is my biggest complaint with most dresses. I carry all sorts of stuff in pockets, and when I don’t have them, I feel awkward and unprepared.
-Bekah
http://bekahdrey.blogspot.com
All this discussion has gotten me thinking, and I’d like to throw my 2c into the mix. It’s disappointing to look forward to something only to find it won’t work for you. And if the goal is to please the highest number of people (and it might be) then perhaps tank straps might have served that purpose. But I can’t help but think, when you try to please everyone you don’t really please anyone. Some basic workhorse garment patterns would be great of course, But I think that could also get tiresome and I’m glad to see thoughtful design details. Hopefully some of those who are apprehensive (admittedly including myself!) might come up with some clever modifications or try something new… Or be better pleased by pattern #4!
This is the best pattern so far which make me want to order and try. I think the neckline would look good on broad shoulders.
Thanks for the info, auzzi! I’m going to check that brand out.
I personally love the fact that Tasia is offering designs with out-of-the-ordinary design details. No, they won’t work for everyone, but that’s to be expected. There are plenty of patterns for basics out there. Keep the interesting ones coming!
I’m totally going to spring for this pattern if I can work out the bra situation. Off to do some lingerie shopping :)
Pear-shaped does not equal no-boobs-to-be-considered and so this pattern is just bad (as many of the previous comments have born out). If I am seeing the pictures correctly then it appears that there is a centre seam on the skirt, the midriff and the bust sections. If that it so, then it’s a pattern I can see many, many women not wanting to buy.
You have admitted that you don’t wear your vogue dress because, for one of many reasons, you don’t like it being strapless, and you then produce a virtually strapless (as it will feel to most people) pattern. This seems very strange to me.
The neckline of this dress will suit very few people, and some of those very few people will feel it necessary to wear a bra. The market for this dress pattern is absolutely tiny – pear shaped women with tiny, pert boobs; or those who have a strapless bra in which they feel comfortable.
It looks very cute on you, but I feel you have missed your market. I actually hope I am wrong because I love independent pattern companies and want them to succeed,
Julie
i LOVE it! i especially love that the neckline is unique and forms the shoulder straps, can’t wait to make this one!
I hadn’t planned on commenting but after reading the comments above I feel like I have to. I just wanted to say that I think this dress is absolutely lovely and I’m rather shocked at the critiques it’s getting. Of course it won’t work for everybody – no pattern will. I can’t understand why people think that they should. There are many patterns that don’t work for me (the crescent skirt included) but it’s no reason to get up in arms, I just move on to a pattern that DOES work for me. Some people seem to think you should be focusing on more basic patterns but frankly, those are a dime a dozen and aren’t the kind of patterns that get me excited about shopping at small, independent companies such as yours. What DOES are patterns with interesting or unusual design details – just like this one.
So I guess what I really wanted to say was, the dress is great, and you’re doing great. Keep it up!
Congratulations on another lovely pattern Tasia, I’m sure it will be a great success. I just wanted to add a point to the discussion re value for money. I’m now on my third version of the Pendrell blouse, which in my book makes it very good value for money. Keep up the good work! x
@Peta:
Amen, Peta!
It’s a beautiful dress with a unique neckline and I can’t wait to give it a try! Great work as usual, Tasia!
Love this pattern! The neckline is so pretty and I love how you can tie a bow at the back.
Goodness gracious, people are relentless! I’ve tried this dress on, as I’m usually the test bunny (I’m her sister), and this dress is surprisingly sturdy and comfortable. I myself hate strapless, and this dress feels nothing like a strapless dress. It’s not a halter dress, it’s a dress with straps that form a neat knot at the front. So you definitely feel like you’re wearing a dress that’s firmly held in place. I agree with Peta, It’s slightly weird to expect every single pattern from Sewaholic to work for you. It’s not going to, just as not every Vogue pattern works for me.
I highly recommend this dress for people who are interested in it, as it’s ridiculously flattering on (love the waistband!), very comfortable, and very easy to wear a bra, or go braless.
Also, here’s an awesome convertible bra that would work perfectly: http://www.victoriassecret.com/ss/Satellite?ProductID=1265498896201&c=Page&cid=1305797375306&pagename=vsdWrapper
Hi Tasia,
I’m a big busted girl, and this dress makes me determined to find a good straples bra, just so i can make this. It looks really flattering for pear shapes (as I’m one of them too). Will your uk sellers (like sew box) get this pattern soon?
At first I thought you were just modeling your newest creation, and then slowly realized that this is a Tasia pattern made for us! I nearly squeed with the thought that I can make this myself too.
Yay for Londsdale!
@linda: Patterns made by an independent seamstress are definitely more expensive. But in my opinion, you get what you pay for. Patterns done by independent designers, such as Sewaholic, Colette Patterns, Oliver + S, are all priced similarly and include tons of helpful details that will help you construct not only the item but future garments as well. They tend to include sewing instruction you won’t find in many other pattern brands. They tend to fit very well… and if I’m going to spend hours sewing a piece of clothing, I’d rather put more money out for a better written pattern. Finally, these patterns are made by independent seamstresses who are making their living by writing and selling patterns. If I like the pattern and think I will use it, I am happy to support people like Tasia, and I don’t feel that the money I spent was a waste. These things are all important to me. If you find the pattern to be overpriced, well, then you don’t have to buy it! While you said you didn’t mean to be disrespectful, unfortunately your post did come across that way, as this is Tasia’s personal work and livelihood. I’m guessing she couldn’t afford to draft, write, test, grade, produce and ship each pattern for $1.
As cute as the dress is I think it will not look good on pear shaped people.Reason..shoulders look smaller not being covered and the butt will look bigger
@Zilredloh: I wish I could upvote you for saying SQUEEE!
and also, I LOVE this dress. Tasia, I hope the negative comments haven’t affected you- you do gorgeous work and I look forward to seeing what’s next! :-)
One of the reasons that I’m excited to try this dress pattern is that it looks like a halter top, but isn’t. I feel that halter tops always gape at the back and show my bra. Now that I’ve seen the back of this dress, I’m thinking about converting two RTW halter tops for a similar fit.
And, this dress would be a perfect pattern to try Gertie’s shirring tutorial on!
I’m a bit behind, but wanted to say I love your new pattern, Tasia! The design is beautiful; so classic and yet very up-to-date. Love the back knot detail especially–clever! :)
I agree with your sister – there is a wide pattern marketplace with many options and not any one pattern company makes 100% of their patterns according to my personal style. I LOVE the dress plan to just figure out the undergarment situation in order to make it work, even though I too am not small busted. Great work and keep it up. Can’t wait to see the next one…and the next one… :)
Why would people feel the need to comment that they don’t like the pattern? You would be very busy writing to the Big 4 for every pattern they brought out that you didn’t like or didn’t suit you. Honestly, people are just rude! The internet has given people permission to say things they would never say to someone’s face.
Just to clarify, I’m not talking about people who are saying honestly that it wouldn’t work for them. There have been some very nice comments from people who won’t buy it but say how lovely it is. But people who are basically saying the pattern is a ‘mistake’ and Tasia has been ‘wrong’ to issue it. Very discouraging for a small business start-up. Tasia is a smart gal and if sales aren’t as good for this one as others I’m sure she will tweak designs and move on.
I agree with Jane, I’ve been quite astonished at the tone in which some of the comments have been made. We know Tasia likes feedback and of course it will help her design better selling products but there are ways of saying things. I wonder if it’s because we feel we know Tasia so much better than the big pattern makers and therefore somehow ‘own’ her designs. Clearly some of the commenters seem to think that because Tasia takes their comments into account that somehow means she designs for them personally.
I don’t think T has ever stated who her target market are beyond pear shaped ladies, so to assume that they have big boobs and therefore this isn’t suitable is a bit crazy. Before people criticise they should consider that Tasia is ONE person, this is her first year in business and she (like us all) is still learning. As with all suppliers the world over, not every pattern will suit everyone.
What the comments have shown though is the value of market research. Obviously Tasia has a business plan in mind but I know I would be happy to do a survey, if she wanted to do one. For example, I hadn’t realised that this pattern has centre front seams and personally I hate them. I don’t know why.
Oh my gosh, this is SOOOOO cute!!! I absolutely love it, and your fabric is adorable!
Totally reminds me of 1940s beach dresses.
Added to my wish list! :)
I love it, but it looks impossible to wear a bra with it….. bummer.
I just adore this dress and was quite excited to see it pop up in the blogasphere! Great work Tasia, I am an obsessive sewing of vintage styles and pattern hunter and collector… and personally see a gap for a bodice style like this.
I am large busted (a 32E) and while I prefer to wear clothes that day to day don’t require a ‘special’ bra (e.g. strapless) I will absolutely wear a dress like this when the occasion calls for it. I also have a small waist and big hips so designs that utilise a nipped in waist and full skirt are heaven to me – love ‘em.
And pockets – brilliant touch – I put them in everything I can!
Oh, I am so happy to see this dress!!! Lovely, so glad you made it. :)
do love the dress – and you look adorable in the dress. can’t wait to see the long version.