As soon as Vogue introduced this Lialia by Julia Alarcon pattern last year I knew I had to make this for myself. The deep cowl and the open back were striking. The challenge was going to be finding the right fabric. Thankfully there is a wonderful sewing community out there that loves to share their projects. The talented Erica Bunker made a beautiful version of this dress with an Italian stretch polyester crepe from Mood Fabrics. I hurried over to Mood’s website and bought the fabric to make this dress. The cowl requires a drapey fabric and this crepe was perfect.
The instructions were good and the pattern well drafted. I omitted the center front seam but cutting the front skirt on the fold. I added 0.5″ to the length of the bodice (normal for me) and 0.5″ to the length of the skirt and made a 1″ hem instead of the 1.5″ called for by the pattern. The dress is fully lined with the top being out of the fashion fabric and the skirt being from lining of your choice. I opted for a stretch satin.
The cowl is very interesting and allows for different styling options as demonstrated in this picture from Vogue Patterns.
I prefer the cowl but I also like the hooded version. It was windy today so it made taking pictures of the cowl and the hood challenging.
I was not sure how I would feel about this color as I tend to gravitate towards brighter colors but after seeing quite a few RTW dresses in this color I got used to it. I’m so thankful for this sewing community of ours. I get so much inspiration from other sewists. This dress turned out even better than I imagined. I plan on wearing to it to a couple of upcoming events with my fashion photographer. By the way, this fabric is so wonderful I bought a bunch of it in black as well.
So nice! Thanks for the review! I loved this so much, I bought it right away! I have been looking for a pettern like this, but the fabrics I wanted to use are poly satin. Does this pattern require a stretchy fabric? It was unclear on the pattern envelope. It just says”crepe” and apparently that can be stretch or stable. Thanks!
Very stunning and sophisticated! You look great. The back zipper and seam are lined up perfectly too. Love the color.
Thank you Karen!
Lovely and refined dress with a lot of panache! Looks wonderful on you and your elegant figure, Lucy!
Thank you Joan.
Wow, that’s gorgeous and I love the color. The shoes are great with it too!
Thank you Tamara.
Your version is stunning! You look great!
Thank you Erica and an extra thank you for sharing the fabric information.
the dress looks fantastic on you, great fit and fabric choice (although I do agree neutrals don’t seem as fun to wear as something colorful) but a very sophisticated look!
Thank you Beth.
You look so beautiful in this, Lucy! Great job on the sewing too!
Thank you Sharon.
Perfection!
Thank you Jennifer.
Lovely and fits you so well.
Thank you Vicki.
Another amazing construction. Not sure why you it would be drafted with a centre seam in the skirt – looks much better without. And also, is there a hidden bra top in it? Or does the construction simply hold things up? Also, you have to stop it! Every time you make something I want to make it too!
Thank you! No hidden bra, just a specialty bra that I purchased a few years ago for another dress.
Your construction of this dress is perfect.
Thank you Vivian.
Gorgeous dress. Looks great on you!
Thank you Michele.
C’est chic! The color and texture of the crepe is so sophisticated in conjunction with the dramatic design of the pattern. You look gorgeous as per usual! Great job and I’d love to see this dress made up in the black stretch crepe, too.
Thank you!
Perfection – and the color is beautiful on you.
Thank you!