Sew Beautiful Magazine

* This article can be found in Sew Beautiful Issue #115, November / December 2007 *
For a printable PDF version of this article, click here

By Ashley Warren Coulson

Crochet has woven its way into mainstream fashion, taming high style with a sense of homespun warmth. In turn, truly sweet uses of crochet and knitting have filtered down into children’s clothing. We challenged ourselves to pass on this natural look without actually having to instruct our readers in the basics of crocheting or knitting – purl one, knit two really isn’t territory we wanted to venture into, and there are plenty of niché publications that do that quite well. Looking at the materials heirloom sewers have available to them, we realized cluney lace had a similar look to crochet, albeit softer. Immediately we set our newest staff designer, Ashley Warren Coulson, to the task of designing something fabulous in what we’ve decided to call faux crochet. Vicki Ramsey, a staff artist and an avid crochet enthusiast, worked up an original crocheted bodice to inspire our cluney version and to show our readers how the two looks compare. Both finished dresses are adorable, and everyone on staff has their personal favorite. Here we offer instructions for making the cluney ‘faux crochet’ bodice dress. Those seasoned in the art of crochet might want to tackle the actual crocheted version using Vicki’s as inspiration; however, crochet instructions are not provided.

Build a Bodice from Cluney Lace or Crochet

IN THE ARTICLE
• Materials List
• Instructions

MATERIALS
• All materials are available from
   Martha Pullen Company
• Kits available
   (see page 81 for Kit Information)
Pattern
• “Louise” by Children’s Corner
Fabric
• Ivory silk dupioni for under bodice
   (Measure pattern bodice for amount required.)
• Silk dupioni for skirt
   (Measure skirt pattern for amount required.)
Lace and Trim
See Yardage chart
• Decorative trim for waist
• 1-inch-wide ecru cluney lace insertion
• 1-1/4-inch-wide ecru cluney lace insertion
• 1/2-inch-wide ecru cluney lace edging
Supplies
•Baby cord for piped waist seam
•Three small clear plastic snaps

For a printable PDF version of this article, click here

Kits are available in blue, pink, or burgundy silk dupioni from Martha Pullen Company (see page 81 for Kit Information). The cluney lace version shown was made using the “Louise” pattern with a shortened bodice (side seams of bodice finishes 1-inch from underarm seam to skirt seam). Since bodice length is a matter of personal preference from size to size, our kits are cut with a generous amount of lace for the full to-the-waist bodice option. You will have extra lace if you choose to shorten the bodice.

•Thread to match silk fabric
• 60wt ecru thread for lace
• Clear thread (for attaching trim)
• Lace shaping board

LACE CHART (for full bodice)
High-waisted bodice requires half the amount shown
Size 1-1/4-inch lace 1-inch lace
1-4 3 yds 8 yds
5-8 5 yds 10 yds

PREPARATION
Pre-shrink all laces by washing them.

CUTTING
Using “Louise” pattern
• Cut out a skirt front and back from
   silk dupioni.
• Cut out two bodice fronts and four
   bodice backs from ivory silk.
• Cut out skirt back placket.
• Cut a bias strip from skirt fabric 1-
   inch wide and long enough for waist
   seam piping.