One of the things we love doing in the Advisors Circle is experimenting with different techniques to get the most out of our patterns. Today, Dyann and Melanie are showcasing their unique approaches to color-blocking the Fira Dress + Top!
Liesl often discusses ideas for new patterns or pattern modifications with the Advisors Circle. Recently, she brought up the idea of color-blocking, which happens to be a big spring 2022 trend. Both Melanie and Dyann were inspired to try this technique on the same pattern: the Fira Dress and Top. They each used different views and came up with distinctively different outcomes. Here they are to share their experiences in their own words.
### Dyann’s Color-Blocked Fira Dress
The Fira dress turned out to be a fun project when it came to color-blocking. I loved how the color from the back peeks over the shoulders on the yoke. Initially, I considered using a print for the front, but I decided to keep it simple to highlight the elegance of the silhouette. The neckline is just so beautiful!
The fabric I used is Kaufman’s Manchester yarn-dyed cotton in Pepper and Royal colors. It has a good weight while still maintaining a nice drape. For this dress, I only cut the front from the Royal fabric, while everything else was cut from the Pepper, so no pattern adjustments were necessary to achieve the color-blocking effect.
I put some thought into the topstitching around the sleeve edges and hem. I didn't want to use the blue on the gray areas, so I used gray thread in the bobbin. When it came time to sew the gray portions, I flipped the dress over and sewed it from underneath.
I used a size 10, which is my typical size for Liesl + Co. patterns. However, I did make a couple of fitting adjustments. I lowered the bust dart by 1 inch and pulled it back about 1/2 inch following notes from Lyndsey’s excellent Fitting Room post. I also extended the bodice by 1 1/2 inches.
I’m really looking forward to making this again in the future, but as a top this time.
---
### Melanie’s Color-Blocked Fira Top
When challenged to color-block the Fira, I realized that the pattern offers plenty of opportunities for additional style seams. So, I decided to add a few more to create a harlequin-style design. I had leftover shirt-weight denim in two tones from an earlier dress project. Since these fabrics have a low contrast, I thought alternating blocks of color would look both subtle and effective.
Here are the changes I made to the Fira to make this concept work:
- Added a 1/2-inch seam allowance to the front panel instead of cutting on a fold.
- Added a 1/2-inch seam allowance to the outer back yoke instead of cutting on a fold.
- Shortened the top by 3 inches to fit within my fabric scraps.
- Created a hem facing from the darker fabric to achieve a tiny 1/4-inch hem depth.
- Pieced together fabric to make larger blocks from the oddly shaped remnants of the lighter fabric.
Once I had all my pieces ready, I sketched out a color plan to keep myself organized. I carefully cut single pieces from each color so that they fit together correctly and faced the right direction. To ensure accuracy, I cut all the dark pieces first and then used them to verify the orientation of the lighter pieces.
This was such a creative project, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Those denim scraps were the perfect match for this color-blocked design. If you're thinking about doing something similar, here are a few tips: first, be meticulous about the orientation of your pattern pieces to avoid mistakes like cutting two left front sides. Second, don’t hesitate to piece smaller scraps together to create larger sections of fabric—patchwork works beautifully with color-blocking. Finally, have fun with your scrap sewing!
---
This experiment really highlighted the versatility of the Fira pattern and how much fun can be had with color-blocking. Whether you're going for a bold look or a more subtle effect, there's something magical about transforming a simple pattern into something uniquely yours. Happy sewing!
AISI 316 Stainless Steel Wire Mesh
Aisi 316 Stainless Steel Wire Mesh,316 Stainless Steel Wire Mesh,Stainless Steel Wire Mesh Baskets With Lid,Stainless Steel Wire Mesh Bags
YingKaiMo Metal Net Co.,Ltd. , https://www.ykmmetalnet.com