Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – with Alexander Henry lovelies! What a way to celebrate. This dress was meant to be my July garment of the month, but I was out of commission until mid-month. No problem – it’ll be great for any of our patriotic holidays.
Obviously I love Butterick 5881, the Katherine Tilton layered dress. This is my third dress version (one and two), and I’ve done a tunic from the top layer as well.
Waiting in the loft is another version for fall, done in a knit. It’s already sewn and is really different.
None of mine look quite like the original pattern! I’ve never done one with the pieced top layer. I spent hours redrafting a one-piece top layer when I first got the pattern – I just like it better.
The trick with this version was figuring out where to put the print. Ummm. I think I did pretty well!
Little details: I’ve not used the placket on the front or shirring on the back. To replace the latter, I’ve centered a contrast patch with 3 lines of inserted elastic.
The underdress is white poly/cotton broadcloth, with the attached skirt in contrast fabric. I’m so sorry I don’t have a pic of the underdress, but it’s cut just like the leopard spot dress (version two referenced above). These opposing hems are so interesting and kind of sassy.
Coco's Loft 
I love the changes you have made to this pattern. While K. Tilton designs are interesting to me, and I buy them, there are often too many details for my style. I am more interested in tackling this dress now that I have seen your versions.
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Thank you all for the lovely compliments! It really is a fun wonky kind of dress. As for Katherine Tilton – well, after I blog the version that's in the wings, maybe I'll send her a link! And if you're thinking about sewing this, I really do recommend it. So different.
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Love it!! Such a cute dress. I should pick up that pattern, it looks SO comfy!
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VERY cute and I agree with Steph…Katherine Tilton should see it.
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Love that hunk of Burnin' Love motif, Coco!
🙂
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There aren't too many people who could take a print like that and turn it into a fun dress like you have – bravo.
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oh this is just too much fun entirely! and there's something extra-sweet about a dress that's a 'fun' one but also looks so great on the person, seems like it's quite the trick to pull both goals off at once 🙂
Have you sent this post to Katherine Tilton? I think she'd get such a kick out of what you've done with her dress! and you're reminding me that i have this pattern myself and could really use a dress or two of it myself…i've been on the hunt for fabric but you show me i need to keep a more open mind 😉 have fun Coco!! steph
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Cute dress and you look great in it.
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A very fun dress!
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I do love it! Patriotic is good anytime, IMO. 🙂
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