Tula Pink is my favorite fabric designer, and her new line, Elizabeth, is hitting shops as we speak. I bought a lot of this fabric from several different places, but the yardage for this dress was the first of the Elizabeth to arrive at my house, so I got to work on this dress immediately. This dress is part of my garment sewing journey, although I’ve already made this pattern once. This is the Butterick 6019 Patterns by Gertie, and you can read my original review of this pattern here.
For some reason, while I was making the dress the second time, even though I was working off my adapted pattern pieces from the original one that I made, when I finished it up, it was too loose. So I took in the center back of the bodice twice. I finally got it to where it’s tight enough (it’s a halter dress, so even with a waist stay, it can’t be that loose). I’m not sure what accounted for the difference between the first dress and the second. Maybe the shirring along the side back bodice sat differently on me with this dress? Even though the fabric was from different manufacturers (Pam Kitty for the first dress, Free Spirit for the second), the substrate felt identical. Shrug. Not sure.
My 6-year-old took these photos for me, and most of them were out of focus…I think that accounts for the ethereal look in the ones that did come out, lol.
The print that I used in my dress was my second-favorite floral from the Elizabeth line (you can see the rest of the prints in the graphic above, which is located on Tula’s website). The fabric for this pattern needs to be directional, as the dress is a circle skirt. My favorite prints are usually large-scale prints, and two of them (the queen and scallop prints) are directional, so I went with the large floral. My favoriet floral is the one in the center, the pink/red flower with the spring green background, but I worried that for this particular dress pattern, that fabric might be a little too sugary sweet (or who knows, maybe it would have worked out, I just had a hard time visualizing it and because of, I was on the fence about using it), so I went with the blue floral. What do you think about my fabric choice for this one?
I happened to have the perfect shoes to wear with the dress. Normally I don’t know how to match shoes with an outfit (and not like I have a huge amount to choose from), but recently I ordered 4 pairs of these patent shoes in different colors and the light green pair matched perfectly with the dress. They’re Madden Girl ‘Getta’ pumps, and I also got them in yellow, pink, and red. I want to add more colors, lol. At $35-40 a pair, they’re pretty affordable, and I find them comfortable, at least for heels. The heel is not super high. I had to order them 1/2 size small than my usual size, as directed by the reviews I read on-line, and I felt that advisement was correct.
Anyway, really love this dress, I’m very happy with how it came out! I think I will probably wear it to Quilt Market in May, although I’d like to make some sort of shrug or shoulder covering to wear with it (any ideas for such a pattern?). I was wondering about sewing a pencil skirt out of one of the stripe prints…although not sure which color, probably the purple.
Are you planning on getting any Tula Pink Elizabeth fabric? I got some charm squares of this line at Quilt Market last time and I’m halfway done with a quilt also. I just love it so much. I think the rest of the fabric, when it arrives, is going into the hoard for now, ha!
That is sensational, Sara! Perfect fabric choice and killer shoes! I am sooooo peanut butter and jealous, LOL. You are such a gifted sewist!
love the dress and the fabric works well with it….for a small person. It’s a winner on you, Sara.
1. Love the shoes!
2. I think you could’ve done the red pink print, but this one looks awesome and it’s great with your coloring.
3. You are going to look hot at market!
4. You absolutely positively must make a pencil skirt and I agree with the purple choice 🙂
this is stunning! Gorgeous! !!
I like the fabric choice. The dress looks great! 🙂 And the shoes are super-cute, thanks for sharing.
! 😉
LOVE the dress! The fit is PERFECT and the fabric is amazing!! I just heard about this fabric line yesterday and I can’t wait to get some. I am a huge history lover and Elizabeth is one of my favorites. I think I am going to need a piece with her face plastered all over it. 🙂
Love, love, love it!! You did a fabulous job. I also love the Elizabeth lines and I am on the fence about making an outfit because the print is a bit bolder than I usually go with. But, nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?
I think you made a perfect fabric choice, thought the other would have been darling on you too I bet. The dress is darling on you!
Love the dress, just beautiful!
On Jan. 4 Deby Coles made a pattern for a shrug called the Simple Shrug and it’s free! You can find her at So Sew Easy, she’s also on Craftys.
I think your dress is fabulous and you look beautiful in it! The construction is very nice and as it fits you well you obviously did a great job. The fabric choice is perfect for this dress !
this so so cute and it looks wonderful on you! love the shoes, they are a perfect compliment to a perfect dress
Sara, you’ve done it again. Both you and the dress look amazing!
I adore Tula, but I thought this line reminded me too much of Parisville to really do my regular squeeing, but this floral employment is begging me to reevaluate that impression. Such loveliness.
Someone is ready for Easter. Definitely in your top five.
Your dress looks amazing! The fabric choice is very flattering.
Love your dress and fabric choice! I think the other would have overwhelmed you. Your photographer did a great job! 😉
You look FANTASTIC in that dress. Love the shoes. I will have to check them out. Since the broken ankle I had to get rid of my really high heels. 🙁 As usual a really amazing job sewing the dress. Great pictures.
I will be ordering some of the New Tula fabric too. Maybe lots of it because I really love it.
Seriously adorable dress!! It fits you beautifully (I’m so inspired by your effort to fit patterns!) and the shoes are indeed a perfect match for that fantastic fabric <3
That dress is bananas!!! Super cute and fits perfectly! Your garment game is fierce!
This dress is adorable and those shoes are perfect!
I love it.
My favourite floral print is the same choice as yours aswell but this made me fall in love with this colourway a little bit more than originally so well done xx
http://www.sewserendipity.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_39&products_id=173
This pattern makes a nice shrug. Simple and cute. I’m thinking the color of the knit one Kay made but short would be fabulous with those shoes. Beautiful dress.
Hello Sara! Greetings from Singapore! I just chanced upon your website and I super love your header as well as this dress! 🙂 Just thought of dropping by to say Hi.
Beautiful job!! Great fabric choice, too.