I’m head over heels for Alexia Abegg’s Liberty Love! I made a muslin of her Michelle My Belle dress last week, and today I began my first of many versions of this classic dress.

I thought I’d like to cut into some less expensive fabric to gain some additional experience prior to starting my Liberty version of the dress. Because there can be no mistakes with that stuff! So I cut into some AMH Innocent Crush voile and a coordinating solid voile for this first of many dresses.

It came together very quickly and easily, though I was only able to make the outer bodice since I won’t be receiving the lining until tomorrow. I’ve pinned it just to show you what it will look like. The skirt will be in the Innocent Crush print as well.

Spoiling myself is really going to work for me, I think. I never make things just for me. Going into this year, I knew I wanted to branch out and really try some garment sewing for me in addition to all of the Oliver + S sewing I do for Layla. When I can combine fabrics I love with patterns I love, I know I’ll get somewhere. The Wiksten Tova and Tank are all the rage in the sewing community, and I love them. On other people. I bought the pattern and sewed it up a few times, but it simply does not compliment my shape. When I thumbed through Liberty Love for the first time, I knew I’d be making many Michelle My Belle Dresses. Its truly a feminine classic, and that makes me so excited!

Anyway, I hope to be back on Wednesday or Thursday to show you the finished dress! Have a great evening!

-Meredith