New Lilly Inspired Dress and Contest Winner!

01 Jul New Lilly Inspired Dress and Contest Winner!

Lilly Pulitzer introduced a fabulous collection of navy dresses this season, and I wanted one too. IMG_0040

The Lilly dresses are available in every fabric imaginable bringing about many possibilities. My decision was based on the piece of  Theory Navy Cotton Rib Knit  I ordered from Mood Fabrics in March. (Now sold out but I highly recommend the navy stretch pique.)

While Lilly refers to many of its dresses as ‘shift dresses‘, they look like tunics to me, and so I made a tunic from The Tunic Bible.

IMG_0096Since this is at least the 40th tunic I’ve made during the last two years, I was interested in trying something different. I selected the wide-split placket and angled collar variation which I’ve only sewn with wovens, but the knit fabric accommodated the structured details of the pattern variation beautifully!

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The Theory Knit is a heavier knit making it necessary to eliminate potential bulkiness in the collar and armscyes. To do this I sewed the under collar and seam bindings in Navy Silk Crepe de Chine from Mood.

The collar was interfaced with Pellon EK130 Easy-Knit, a fusible knit interfacing and supple stabilizer, and the seam bindings were cut on the bias and starched.

The trim is from M o r o c c o ! Before meeting up with the Amy Butler group, Julie Starr, Dorcas Ross (a.k.a. Art Attack and Lone Star Couture)  and I hired a private tour guide. When asked about any special requests we quickly responded “Take us to the Fabric, Trim and Tunic souks!”IMG_0116

We found a tiny souk loaded with trim. I bought 5 meters of the metallic braided trim for $3/meter and certainly wish I bought more. 😉

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The trim was temporarily applied with Gunold KK100, a temporary adhesive spray before attaching it to the tunic with a zigzag stitch. The adhesive is supposed to disappear within 3 days…. If you look closely you can see the zigzag, but it truly melds into the braid due to its texture. 

Sewing The Tunic Bible bodice pattern with a knit generally results in a more relaxed fit,

IMG_0096and eliminates the need for back darts.

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The gold trim dresses up the tunic but Lilly also trims this same style in white for a fresh, casual look (this Oscar de la Renta lace from Mood being one of my favorites for a great summer look.)

As always, a huge thank you to Mood Fabrics for allowing me to experiment with quality fabrics and learn something new each and every time. Rib knit and metallic trim ~ a winner in my books!

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_____________________________

 Believe it or not there were over 400 entries for the Thread and Bucket Hat Giveaway! Many thanks for the wonderful response 🙂

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Congratulations to BARABARA O winner of the giveaway!!! Please send your contact information to goodbyevalentino@gmail.com by Monday, July 3rd or a new winner will be selected.

Some of you asked questions which I could not answer in order to keep the response numbers in order, but I will do so once the giveaway is officially over and the winner has responded.

Happy Saturday!

goodbyevalentino
goodbyevalentino@gmail.com
32 Comments
  • Lone Star Couture
    Posted at 07:06h, 01 July Reply

    I love how this turned out and remember that great trim! Very versatile in the navy…casual chic to dressy. Love! D

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 09:09h, 01 July Reply

      Thank you, Dorcas! Please tell me why I didn’t buy 25 meters at this great price…. 😉

  • Cindy Symes
    Posted at 07:40h, 01 July Reply

    Wow, your tunic looks exactly like it could be one of those Lily Pulitzer shifts! And I love being able to wear my memories from a trip! This is a very memorable shift tunic!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 09:10h, 01 July Reply

      Many thanks, Cindy, and that was the goal! Still kicking myself for not getting more of the gold trim ………

  • Toni Morse
    Posted at 10:18h, 01 July Reply

    Another knockout!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:50h, 02 July Reply

      🙂 🙂 Thank you, Toni!

  • Connie FL
    Posted at 10:46h, 01 July Reply

    Looks beautiful on you! I’m making another tunic today…maybe 2 🙂 I love this pattern and how it accentuates beautiful fabrics!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:51h, 02 July Reply

      You’ve made my day, Connie! I’m delighted you like the pattern 🙂

  • Gayle
    Posted at 11:12h, 01 July Reply

    Beautiful! Thank you for the tips!!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:52h, 02 July Reply

      Many thanks for your comment, Gayle! ….anything to help out fellow sewists 🙂

  • Lisa Lacy
    Posted at 11:20h, 01 July Reply

    Absolutely gorgeous….you and the tunic. One of my favorites you have sewn. So classy.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:53h, 02 July Reply

      Thank you so much, Lisa! It is truly one of my favorites to date 😉

  • Teri Stich
    Posted at 13:38h, 01 July Reply

    I truly want this!! LOL I love the relaxed fit of the knit and the collar is perfect, will definitely have to try something like this.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:57h, 02 July Reply

      We discovered stable knits make great tunics but the collars can be tricky when applying heavy trim. I’m thrilled the tunic turned out so well 😉 Many thanks for your comment, Teri!

  • Irene Mischkinis
    Posted at 16:21h, 01 July Reply

    Another winning version of your lovely tunic!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:58h, 02 July Reply

      Ahhhh….. you make me blush 😉 Many thanks, Irene!

  • Betty Morgan
    Posted at 18:18h, 01 July Reply

    As are all your thing very classy

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:04h, 02 July Reply

      Thank you, Betty! What a lovely comment 🙂

  • Maggie ecger
    Posted at 20:03h, 01 July Reply

    The dress is wonderful. You look like a Million in it. Great pics. AMaggie

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:05h, 02 July Reply

      Thank you, Maggie!

  • CarolinasCallin
    Posted at 22:47h, 01 July Reply

    LOVE this! Terrific job, and what fun to have sourced that trim where you did 🙂 Always love a garment with a great story behind it. You’ve given LP a run for her money with this one!

    Hope you’re enjoying your summer – and sweet little Birdie! Those hats were divine!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:07h, 02 July Reply

      Hi Cheryl!!! When I bought the trim I did not have this garment in mind but funny how things work out 🙂

  • Marion
    Posted at 05:33h, 02 July Reply

    I Love your new tunic. I definiately have to des one like this!
    Greatings from Germany

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:08h, 02 July Reply

      Thank you, Marion! Well, I know your tunic will be a stunner – send a pic!

  • Jane M. Green
    Posted at 09:16h, 02 July Reply

    Just stunning!!!! You have inspired me to get back into my sewing room! Thanks for sharing…and keep posting!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:29h, 03 July Reply

      Thank you, Jane…… Knowing I have inspired you inspires me 😉 Good luck!

  • Kathie Bennett
    Posted at 09:23h, 02 July Reply

    beautiful!!!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:28h, 03 July Reply

      Thank you, Katihie!

  • Joan Collins
    Posted at 12:58h, 02 July Reply

    Sarah, your tunic is stunning and and I have so enjoyed your blog since the very first one. I have your Tunic Bible and am making my first one – with the ruffled neckline. I have the ruffle sewn in but the back of mine
    seems to be drooping over a bit! In your instructions you did not say to clip the curve. I think I did automatically put one or two clips at the back neck curve. Could this be my problem?? For my trial one, I did use a 100% cotton that seems so limp after the pre shrinking and then handling it and I may have put too much fabric in my ruffle which may have made it too heavy. And do you put a facing of any kind on it????

    I’d appreciate any thoughts on this.

    Joan Collins
    Dallas, Tx

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:27h, 03 July Reply

      Joan,
      I have replied to you by email, but thought of one more thing. Make sure you staystitch the neckline ASAP.

  • Rhonda Preece
    Posted at 02:52h, 03 July Reply

    I always wash my fabrics before sewing. Do you wash your trims beforehand?

    Just working on my first tunic from The Tunic Bible, which I LOVE!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:26h, 03 July Reply

      Thank you, Rhonda! I pre shrink the trims by either placing them in water or using a steam iron.

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