(tutorial and pattern!) Winter Rose Dress

I don't believe melon?rose?coral? is a traditional Christmas color.  

That didn't stop me from using this gorgeous fabric I had in my stash for Emily's Christmas dress.  

The beauty of this fabric is that she can wear it all year round, too.

I designed Emily's dress several times in my mind before coming to a final decision.  

A dress from Anthropologie was my inspiration. 

If I had time, I would make myself a version, too.  But I don't.

At least hers got done!

Emily LOVES how it turned out. 

She loves twirling, curtsying, and dancing in this dress.  

I have to say that even with millions of ripped out stitches, 

(working late at night tends to do that to you..) 

I love how it turned out too.  

In fact, I think this is one of my favorite things I have made in a long time.  

Here is my pattern for the bodice and sleeves, size 5, if you are interested in making one. (The skirt is a rectangle, no pattern piece required)

It is the same pattern I used to make the petal dress. (Which I plan on writing a tutorial for...soon!)

For other sizes, all you need is a basic bodice and sleeve pattern, which you can change to make boat-neck and cap sleeve.  See pattern as a guide.

Materials:
About 2- 2 1/2 yards of  Fabric (For size 5; adjust for other sizes)
1/2 yard lining fabric (or you can use your main fabric for lining)
5-6 Yards Trim
Small amount of fusible interfacing
Zipper
Button

First, cut out your pattern pieces.
For the skirt, measure an existing skirt that you like the length of, and add 3 inches.  Cut (tear) 2 rectangles, of that height and the width of the fabric (about 45" or even 60").  Cut one of those rectangles in half, (it would be 22 1/2" or 30" wide) so you have 3 rectangles.

Save about 8" of fabric for the sash, covered later in the tutorial.

 Insert zipper.  I used an invisible one.  For a great invisible zipper tutorial, click here.