I bought 1.5 m of Saxby (colourway B) Liberty Linford Fleece from the Workroom back in the middle of winter here and because it took a little while to come all the way from Canada, once it arrived, I had moved onto Spring sewing. Funnily enough with temperatures in the mid to late 30's on Friday, I became 'winter inspired' again and decided my next project was going to be to cut into my precious fleece. It's not all madness as we are off to France for 6 weeks in December, so my mind has turned momentarily to what I should make/pack for the trip and today the temperature plummeted so it was perfect weather to sew up a cosy outfit.
This is my first ever piece of Liberty Linford Fleece and it feels so snuggly. Oh so cosy! The print is Saxby and is from the Liberty Art Fabrics Collection AW 14. The design was inspired by the decorative bird life at Mount Stuart in Scotland, in particular the parrots in the drawing room. To design the print, the birds were painted onto canvas in a loose, free style, and then merged to create a rich feather texture.
When I bought this piece I really didn't know what I was going to do with it. I don't really sew that much in fleece (although I also have another piece of Liberty Linford Fleece so watch this space!), but inspiration struck and I've sewn up a dress. I probably could have just sewn it up as a Coco, but instead I pulled out my hacked Kanerva I used to make my frocktails dress and used that as the base. It is a medium/heavyweight with no significant stretch so I sewed it up with the darts and everything.
I added navy ribbing to the neck and wrists, to make it even more snuggly. I worried that maybe it made it too sporty? but I kind of like it. There isn't really anything else to say about the construction, other than I added vilene bias tape to the hem for stability which worked a treat and then I double stitched it. I haven't top stitched the neck down but I'll see if it needs it.
Will it get packed in my suitcase for France? It might. It's snuggly, warm and comfortable and goes with my boots!
You're going to France? For SIX weeks? Am I jealous? Oh no...not at all!
ReplyDeleteThis dress is tres chic and I think it will be perfect for Paris...I think when traveling in France you've got to be chic, but slyly comfy...which I never managed. Next time.
I've never been a huge Liberty fan but that print is spectacular! I'm even more impressed that you have such a flash tracky dak dress!
ReplyDeleteYou'll certainly look chic in France. This is certainly a lovely piece to take with you. You make rib knits look stylish.
ReplyDeleteI really like this! I didn't know Liberty even did fleece. Love the ribbing too.
ReplyDeleteOh it's very chic! I think you chose the right pattern - those extra style lines make the fit much more stylish than an unfitted shift.
ReplyDeleteThis dress should definitely find its place in your suitcase! It's stylish and comfy and I bet it doesn't wrinkle a lot so perfect for travelling ... and as a plus fleece is warm and Paris is supposed to be quite chilly this season...
ReplyDeleteYeah the Workroom! ( I am from Toronto) The fabric is beautiful! I have seen the fleece and I wasn't sure what to make with it. Thank you for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice dress, it looks great and must feel super comfy indeed!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great winter dress. And fleece!!! Love the colours.
ReplyDeleteI love it!! This has got to be the most beautiful fleece I've ever laid eyes on!
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous, I love that fleece!
ReplyDeleteOh man I want some of that fleece. I wanted to get some and my sister in TO was going to pick it up for me, but it was a little pricey. I love your dress and am totally jealous of you upcoming trip!
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely! I think the ribbing really sets it off. I didn't know Lieberty made fleece. It will be perfect for the northern winter.
ReplyDeleteIt looks amazing - not too sporty at all! The navy compliments it beautifully. I think you're going to rock France in it.
ReplyDeleteOOoh gorgeous! I too am heading to the northern hemisphere for Christmas and I've been planning cozy clothes like mad. So far nothing has been made but I may just have to make a fleecy dress like yours! It looks super flattering and stylish on you, I hope you end up taking it!
ReplyDeleteSix weeks in France - quelle bonheur! I vote yes on taking this piece. I think the solid ribbing mixes nicely with the print.
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely take it! It looks very much travel appropriate.
ReplyDeleteLooooooove it! This is perfectly chic, and warm and snuggly for your upcoming trip to France. And yes, it goes perfectly with those boots
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore this dress!! I had no idea you could buy liberty fleece and now that I do, I think I desperately need some.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous dress! I love the combo of the tailored silhouette & the ribbing! Gorgeous fabric, too.
ReplyDeleteKB, you are snuggly Liberty winter princess in this! Awesome work! And I personally am team contrast ribbing- I think it is a lovely accent!
ReplyDeleteYou look beautiful in it. I am currently having an argument with Fabric.com over an order that I should be reimbursed for and in a fit of pique I told them I would be returning this. But, now....I was going to make a sweatshirt out of it and did not consider a dress (I got the berries but if they had the Saxby, I definitely would have gotten that). I am not exactly the thinnest person in the world so I don't want to look like a big Liberty berry. Maybe a Lady Renfrew? Hmmmm. New possibilities are opening. I should not return it, I think.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous dress, looks fantastic on you. Love the contrast ribbing.
ReplyDeleteAdorable dress! I love
ReplyDeleteThe shape, it is really flattering and casual but still fancy. And liberty fleece! Drool
Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThanks Emma. Sometimes a little idea pays off. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, what a shame you are having an argument... but it might be worth keeping! A lady renfrew would be a great item to make out of the fabric. And there would definitely be worse things than being a liberty berry! :) I look forward to hearing what you end up doing. I too will be interested to see how this Liberty 'wears' and whether the fleece stays as great as it is now.
ReplyDeleteThanks Amanda. Very happy to be a snuggly liberty winter princess.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sara!
ReplyDeleteIt's like Liberty cord - so hard to find but worth it!
ReplyDeleteThe boots really are my tester!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like it's in the 'take' category now!
ReplyDeleteThanks Morgan. I'm glad you like it. I have been meaning to ask you how your tennis is going??!
ReplyDeleteOooh, where are you off to? thanks for the kind words and I might just need to pack it !
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachel... there is so much style there it's always a bit of pressures. Can't wait to catch up in 2 weeks time !!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Barbara! Hopefully I can squeeze it into my suitcase - leaving enough room for all the fabric I will need to bring back!
ReplyDeleteI thought that you got some! It took a while to arrive, but it was worth it. I ended up getting some from Tessuti as well a few months later but in a different pattern.
ReplyDeleteThanks Aimee.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sallie. That is a big call! P.S. I'm still completely addicted to those Gamache novels. I'm up to book 7!?
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie. Aaah, the kanerva hack comes out again.
ReplyDeleteOh it is unbelievably comfy!
ReplyDeleteNo worries Janet! Hope you make something with it now!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sasha! The only think is that it is quite bulky and I might need room in my suitcase for shopping :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah. I was worried that it was overkill so happy to hear your nice comments.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThank you Maria!
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly what it is! A tracky dak dress!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think this could be a good stylishly slob around the apartment dress, while I'm recovering from all the long lunches! oh the trials!!
ReplyDeleteI'm re-taking the beginner class with my husband because he missed registration the first time, and it's nice to see how much I've improved! (I'm naturally very uncoordinated and it takes a long time for me to learn new kinds of movements.) How about you? Must be nice to play now that your weather is warming up?
ReplyDeleteMe too!! Planning my Tessuti purchases as I type... X
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute dress. The fabric looks super cosy.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I'm keeping it and I'm going to go as a Liberty Berry this year for Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be so perfect for France in winter - I hope you do pack it!
ReplyDeleteThe Liberty fleece looks pretty interesting, how does it compare with regular stretchy fleece to sew?
I've never heard of Liberty fleece, but might need some next winter! Love your dress and it will be a good travel piece.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen liberty fleece before - amazing! I love your dress & think you were right with the contrast ribbing, it looks great! Looks to me like it's be very useful for France in December!
ReplyDeleteLove this kind of silhouette! It looks great on you :-)
ReplyDeleteOoh, I'm liking this a lot! You'll definitely need something warm for your trip - I was in Paris last week and it was freezing!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It is sooo cosy
ReplyDeleteThe fleece was easy to sew, it has almost no stretch though so I sewed it up basically like a woven.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gail.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathryn.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I hesitated with the silhouette but I'm glad I went with this one. Hope you are well xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Claire and thanks for the warning!
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a great trip! Love your cozy dress...I didn't know Liberty made a fleece. Of course you would know! Great dress!
ReplyDelete