the ice cream dress and three flavors

Alexander Henry Cotton Print size 3, view A, Moda Whimsy size 3: view C,  and Heather Bailey Bijoux (ice)/Anna Maria Horner Good Folks (sea) size 12-18 months: view A

Earlier this season Oliver + S hit us with a pattern called the ice cream dress. Originally done in pink, cream and chocolate it was inspired by Neopolitan ice cream, if memory serves. I've been meaning to get started on mine - and was especially motivated when I heard about the "ice cream social" on Flickr but life gets in the way, you know how it goes.

I have no idea how or why, but since Thursday I have made three. Keep in mind that these items were largely prepped because I intended to make them in Vermont (you know, when my pal delirium informed me that I could sew 7 or eight projects in 36-40 hours). Aside from some missing pocket facings and a yoke all cut items were good to go. I have a bad habit of not following through with pattern markings, but after Liesl herself gave us all a lesson in an easy way to transfer with carbon or other marking paper a la ralph lauren - I will do better. I promise.

the one that I adore - heather bailey print with anna maria horner

Now while I love all three of the pairings for different reasons, I really adore this one. I know the colors don't match exactly, but the cheerfulness of the accent print balanced by the bohemian print from Anna Maria Horner make my soul satisfied. And that's what it's all about. And yes, if you care to look at that pocket detail on the left things almost match up. That's as good as it gets people.

So here are my thoughts on the pattern - it's lovely. Go ahead and do it - it doesn't have to be for summer because you can stick a long sleeved tee under it or even make it a little heavier if you must. It is accurately rated two scissors - which I attribute to the fact that you have to read the directions to do it properly. I found the suggestion of sewing a basting stitch to use as a guide completly ingenious. It seems like a new tip and it is one that made my ironing so much easier (but calls for thread pulling later, kind of a bummer when you're ready to be done). There is only one wonky part which seems to have stumped more than one person - it is the part where the bodice meets the yoke on the back, right side. Scary.

pin like mad

I read some feedback from other sewers that feel the dress could rip at this little achilles heel. And if you worry about that I suggest adding a bit of iron on interfacing in that area. But I think it's going to be fine if you don't. Just carefully clip the bodice seam allowance perpendicular just to the seam line. Then you tuck everything under the right side yoke and pin like crazy - I backstitched where the two openings meet at the back of the dress. Everything will be alright. Really. If it isn't you can pour yourself a gin and tonic. Or maybe you should do that anyway because who knows what your kid got into while you were sewing.