As much as I’m not really one for ~celebrating~ Valentine’s Day (I’ll take the flowers and the steak dinner, though, thanks!), I *love* the excuse it gives me to make a new dress specially for going out. Last year I wore red lace, this year I decided to go with… lace again. Except this time, I thought I’d ramp up the knockout factor with some black lace and a form-fitting, By Hand London-approved shape.
So. Meet Georgia.
When the girls at BHL HQ asked me if I wanted a copy of their newest pattern, I did not hesitate to scream YUSSSS and start prowling the Mood Fabrics site for a perfect lace. I knew I wanted to experiment with emerald underlining black lace (when I was still working for Muna, we had made a swing coat for a client in a similar color scheme and I looooved looking at that thing. LOVED it. Unfortunately, the client didn’t want photos taken of her even though she’s totally gorgeous, so you’ll just have to use your imagination here), so I snapped up this Anna Suit stretch lace and emerald cotton sateen and immediately set to work.
The prep work for assembling this dress was definitely a labor of love – I underlined every single piece of lace with the green cotton sateen, using long basting stitches and silk thread, by hand. I kept the pieces flat on my tabletop so they wouldn’t shift around, and I bribed myself with episodes of the X-Files while I sewed (two, in case you were curious) (speaking of which, whyyyy didn’t anyone ever tell me about the X-Files?? I’ve just discovered it and I’m OBSESSED! It’s like watching Ancient Aliens, except with a 90s love story. omg.). As I sewed each piece together to assemble the dress, I removed the basting stitches (this is where silk thread comes in handy; it just slides right out effortlessly!) and serged the edges separately so the seam allowances could be pressed open.
I used twill tape to stabilize the top edges of the cups, so they would curve against my body and not stretch out over time. This is one of those really easy techniques that takes barely any time at all, but give you fabulous results. You basically do the same method as you would for taping the roll line on a coat – cut the twill tape to the length of the neckline minus 1/4″, then place it inside the seam allowance, up against the seam line. Since the tape is shorter than the neckline, the neckline gets eased into the length of the tape and then stitched down (inside the seam allowance). That’s it! So easy! So effective!
I’m really happy with how the hem turned out – I knew I wanted the scallops to roll all the way around the dress, with a wide hem of solid green below (similar to the aforementioned coat). Since the skirt has 6 panels to give it it’s shape, cutting the lace required some forethought and a lot of head-scratching. I’m happy to report that my scallops ended up pretty close to perfect – they go all the way around the hem uninterrupted, even at the zipper! Yeah!! Totally worth that extra effort.
I changed up the construction of the straps because my fabric was too bulky to pull right side out. Instead, I treated them like belt looks – finished one edge, folded the strap into thirds, and slipstitched everything together. As a result, my straps are really secure and I think they look great!
The only part about the dress that I’m not happy with is the bodice size – despite my muslin, it ended up toooo small! Whoops! Thankfully, it’s totally wearable (the smallness is in where the bottom seam hits, not in a scandalously-low way or anything), and it’s not terribly noticeable in real life, thanks to the lace. But it’s there, I know it’s there, and next time I will be giving this lady a big ol’ FBA.
Also, in case you were wondering – I can wear my dress with or without a bra. It’s fitted enough to give me some support without a bra, but it also works fine with a strapless bra.
What I love most about this dress, though, is the 90s throwback style. It really looks like I’m wearing a Cher Horowitz-approved, super fancy slip. The whole time I was making this dress, this scene from Clueless kept running through my head:
HAHA! But seriously – someone make this shit up in white silk! DO IT NOW!
The pattern itself was very easy to follow, even with my added changes. I made the size 2/6, with the skinny straps and the mini hemline. Just a warning – it is pretty short! If you are considering the mini and you are not a petite person, you may want to consider lengthening it. I personally did not have to make any sizing alterations to the pattern, but like I said earlier, I will be doing a FBA for the next round.
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
Ok, so here’s the prize if you made it through to the end of this post – the gals at By Hand London graciously sent me an extra copy of the pattern, so let’s have a giveaway! If you’d like to win your very own copy of the Georgia dress pattern, simply comment on this post and let me know what fabric you’ll use to make it up. That’s it! This giveaway is open WORLDWIDE and I will close the entries next Wednesday February 26, 2014 at 8AM CST.
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
Good luck! Here’s a bonus picture of me and Landon on Valentine’s Day, smug wine smiles and all~
LLADYBIRD 
love love the green and lace! Also your hair too 🙂
Thanks for the tip on the twill tape, i’ll be keeping that advice in mind for similar bodices.
i would make it with some handloom silk with a slight sheen that is sitting in my stash!
I have a luscious emerald silk that has been waiting for the right pattern, and I think this is it! I love those girls at BHL….
Love your version, as always! I’d make that darling in an emerald brocade. Fancy!
I’d make it in a raspberry sateen!
I love your dress, the turquoise over the black is divine! I have some navy lace in my stash that I can’t bring myself to cut into yet! Maybe one day!
this dress looks so amazing on you! love the lace and underlining color combo. i’ve been wanting this pattern for the structured bodice, it seems to look great on everybody!
Lovely! As always. I might make it in an eyelet for a sweet spring dress. Or else I might take your advice and make the Clavin Klein one! 🙂 Why not…
This dress would be gorgeous in black sateen! I love your version.
This is beautiful – and I LOVE you sewing room! WOW! I think I’d have to make it in pale pink with white stretch sateen – cause I’m auburn with brown eyes – and I have vintage rocking shoes to wear! Thanks!
Love it! I have no idea what I’d use, but I’ve seen a lot of versions in sateen that look amazing!
Oooh i kinda want to make it in a velvet type fabric . . .something soft!
I love the red silk babydoll hack the BHL girls did with this pattern and would love to try and make something similar x
I would use a fun print!
Aw, this is really cute on you! How long did it take you to make it? I think I would use muted silver sateen with silvery lace. Drooling just thinking about it!
I LOVE your Georgia! I am a newbie seamstress and I am SO glad I found your blog-everything I’ve seen you turn out is fabulous 🙂 I would most likely make this in a coral eyelet-it’s my fav color right now…although I wouldn’t say no to going fabric shopping and finding something else
I would make it out of vintage Thai silk that I was given about ten years ago and has sat in my stash ever since.
I am in LOVE with your Georgia. LOVE, I say. And HELL YES to the Cher Horowitz reference – she would approve wholeheartedly. I would love a Georgia of my own, in orange, and more than a bit on the scandalous side – meow!
I’m loving the lace overlay. I’m thinking a little plum dress would make this really wearable for me… of course I’ll be using your twill tape trick too!
So pretty! I would make this in some sort of metallic brocade…
That dress is a stunner.It looks great on you. You also did a great job with construction.
If I were to make this dress, I would try to see if I could make it out of this light blue and white flower vintage silk I was gifted with.
I have a textured white handwoven silk that this would look stunning in.
I’d make it in a fancy dark red or dark purple, silk or sateen, and alter the skirt to be long with a slit, to wear the fancy event at my boyfriend’s work. (And then hem it, to wear to the slightly less fancy event at my work!)
I’d make it in something black. You can’t have too many LBDs in your life! Also, I need to win this since my birthday is next week 🙂
I think I would make this dress in a navy brocade of some sort… I don’t think I am willing to try lace or silk yet! I love the edging of your lace overlay though.
I’d love to try this pattern in a brocade. And your version is absolutely gorgeous!
Love this dress! I think I’d make one in lace as well!
Oooh! Its lovely, I love the lace. I’d love to make this pretty up, I think I’d have do it in a sexy red silk or something – it’s such a sultry dress!!
I would be very tempted to copy Oona Baloona and make it up in black sateen with a fringed hem for extra sashay! Or maybe I’d go with crushed velvet in a jewel colour to make it really boudoir-worthy.
I would make the wide strap version and I’d make it in something floral. Similar to what the byhandlondon girls have made their wide strap dress with in the sew a long. It’s beautiful and I have something similar with blue and purple tones. If I win I’ll send you a picture of the fabric I have in mind.
Beautiful. Hmm I think i’d make it up in lace as well, maybe for a little black dress?
Oooh, I have a beautiful navy blue silk noile that I have been coveting for a few years waiting for the perfect dress, and the knee length wide strap version of this dress is absolutely perfect for it!
Wow! you look stunning (small bodice part or not)
I’d love to make this in black lace version. Black lace to the win!
Gorgeous Georgia you made here. Im on a denim kick so I think Id make mine in denim, with contrast piping perhaps. { YEH }.
I love your dress, especially the nod to Clueless ! I have some pretty eccentric purple and lime green print cotton that could do with a pattern like the Georgia to classy-it-up!
Oooh! Being from Georgia, I’ve had my eye on this pattern since it came out! I want to make it up in a coral lace with blue silk underlining….but yours looks so nice I want to copy it too!
The dress looks lovely. I would make it in pale pink cotten sateen in my stash. ;o)
I love this pattern! It seems to suit everyone. I’d make mine in gold and black brocade because why the hell not.
Thanks for the twill tape tip. I wonder if it will work on armholes as well.
Love your dress. I am thinking I would use black lace with an orchid lining to be in tune with the “in” color this season.
Oooh, I have the perfect jacquard with some stretch in it that would give it a very vintage feel. Thanks for running the giveaway!
I Would Love this dress in Black sateen. But your Version with the lace is also so beautiful!
Lauren, you look gorgeous! (As always, of course.)
I totally want a Lacy Georgia myself now! I would probably go with purple or teal underlining, or even purple or teal lace, depending on what I could find locally.
beautiful;)
I love your version!! I have a dress with a very similar shape made from linen that I wore to death over the last couple years. I would love to replace it so I would make up a couple versions in linen!
Your dress is stunning. I have been eying this pattern since it came out. I would love to make it in black silk charmouse. The perfect little black dress.
Love the dress! And Landon looks a little like Matt Bomer in that picture 😀
You look better than Cher! I think I would make it up in a gingham for a more casual look
I love what you did with the dress. I wouldn’t have thought of using lace for it! If I were to make it up for myself, I would probably use black and gold brocade to match some glittery flats I’ve been looking for an excuse to wear. Thanks for the giveaway!
Like their previous patterns, I wasn’t super sold on the By Hand London Georgia. Until I started seeing it pop up made everywhere and now I’m inspired and do want to give it a shot! Yours is beautiful and have you seen Laura Mae of Lilac and Lace’s totally oppposite take on it??
This pattern seems perfect for a little black dress – which I am sorely lacking at the moment. So a lycra infused cotton would be my choice for this dress – something with some body to it so it won’t show every undergarment line and wrinkle!
Great colors. I love By Hand London. Working on a red Anna Dress now. I would make Georgia out of a Peachy Cotton Sateen.
I love this dress, it’s so pretty on you.
Your dress is so pretty! I would love to make a little sundress with this pattern… I have some floral cotton sateen with a little stretch that I think would be perfect! Have been eyeing this pattern for a while but the pattern and shipping is just a little outside my price range for now
Re: The X Files. I’m pretty sure you have been living a totally deprived life. The power suits! The 90s technology! The yellow-eyed-bone-dislocating-mutants! I have recently introduced some friends to it while they are visiting from England. They are hooked. Although we have taken to referring to it as “Ladyface and Babyface”. Love it!
You look great in that dress. I just sent this to my wife; I think she’d look great with black lace over white; I bet even a simple jersey knit would look great. The pattern looks a level or two above my skill-set, but you don’t grow if you don’t stretch, right?
Love it! I could use a good scandalous date night dress pattern, and I think this would be perfect!
Oh, and Cher would totally approve. Now you just need one of those crazy matching hats and some knee-highs.
Gorgeous! I love the scalloped lace! So pretty!!!!
And Landon is hunky! Nice work! 😉
I love this dress! I would totally make it with this stretchy black material that had beautiful flowers on it I saw at Britex in SF. This pattern would be the perfect excuse to go back and get it 😀
I once saw this gorgeous chartreuse stretch cotton sateen that I think would look stunningly sexy made up for this dress.
http://asaucystitch.blogspot.co.uk/
First Marce made one and now you did! This is on my list of garments I want to make and I’ve known since I first saw it what fabric I would use – stretch velvet!
Your dress looks great. I’d have to make (another) trip to the Fabric Store to pick out something from the new range. A good excuse to make another visit!
I LOOOOOVE the X-Files. Now I want to go back and re-watch the whole series (except the last 2 seasons, which, IMO, jumped the shark.) So I guess if I win the pattern I’d have to make up this dress in alien green silk.
Yours is gorgeous!! 🙂 I was originally thinking of an LBD, but I think I’d rather make Georgia out of the black, white and fuchsia cheetah print stretch cotton sateen (so many adjectives) that’s in my stash. Of course, I have the perfect pink shoes to match! 😀
Love this looks amazing and you have sewn it so professionally!!!! Would love to win a copy so I can make one too!
This is just plain super terrific! I really like the colors you chose. I have this dreamy silk with a pretty floral print sitting quietly in my stash that wants to be a pretty dress… I’d totally bust out a Georgia dress with it if I won this lady!
I have a lovely orange brocade calling out for this pattern!
Great dress. Ps. You quit working @Muna’s?
Yep! We parted ways a little bit Christmas last year – I wrote about it in my end of year blog recap. The short explanation: we did not work well together 🙂
Great dress, everything you did was just right. Twill tape is wonderful stuff! I have a piece of wet look black that I think would be great with this pattern or a sunny cotton for a summer sundress. Thinking of summer here in CT is a really nice pastime (you just can’t look out the window or the view of all that snow ruins everything.) Thanks for sharing and hosting the contest.
Gorgeous! I keep imagining a version in some wicked bright electric hawaiian print. Now to find a suitable over-saturated fabric..
Oh wow! I wasn’t sure about the pattern but now that I see it more and more on the Internet, I’m in love !! I would totally see myself in this dress, using a bright red fabric!
Good job on yours, it’s lovely 🙂
Your dress looks absolutely gorgeous! I think I’d use dupion silk…. 🙂
I love lace sooooo much, and this dress and the colour is gorgeous. kudos to you for the pattern matching – i made a dress with a lace overlay myself a few years ago when i was less experienced and mine did not go as well. must try again one day and hopefully get such a loverly result.
I love this dress! It looks fabulous on you and I love how you did the hem with the green showing past the black last! And you’re right, it’s perfect for Clueless hahaha. I’d probably do mine up in a stretchy floral in preparation for summer!
This dress is such a knockout- I would probably do just a cotton sateen in a floral print. Pretty and sophisticated.
I love all of BHL sewing patterns. This pattern I think suits most (if not all) body types. As a newbie I am yet to sew with ‘slippery’ fabric, but I would love to make up a long version in black, dark purple or midnight blue velvet/sateen fabric.
Oh lovely dress. I have never used by hand London patterns before so would be fab to win one. I would make it in some bright jewelled coloured (or should I say colored 😉 fabric for a dinner dance this spring. Thanks for chance to win.
Love your dress! I think I’d make this in a fancy brocade, or maybe just black…
I think for a start I would make a classic black sateen version, but it is the kind of pattern I’d make up numerous times in different fabrics, it’s so great!
Beautiful dress! I would use emerald cotton with a little stretch for a nice summer dress.
Your dress is truly lovely and as much I love it in green, it wouldn’t suit me. So, I’d make in a deep pink.
I think I’d do it in a print to mask any mistakes since I think the pattern would stretch my skills a bit! But that would be fun! 🙂
That looks amazing!! I would love to try it out.
Ckirby (at) clkdesigns dot co dot uk
I would make this up in a combo dark blue denim with stretch and some highlighting over the bust with gold painted denim.. Then as I wash and wear it the gold would look more and more subdued so then I would get like 3 different dresses over the course of wear!!! 🙂
Oooh, I would definitely make this up in some lilac purple lace I have…so cute!
I’ll make it in white for you, Dion! 😉
Brown, with tiny red dots!
Don’t want to be a part of the giveaway but I did want to tell you how wonderful you look in this dress and hope that you had an amazing Valentine’s Day dinner!
So; I’m not beeing original here, but I’d do it in cotton sateen too!
Hey Lladybird, congratulations on this seriously gorgeous dress! I just love seeing the scalloped edge of lace used in the hem 🙂
I’d love the other copy of the Georgia Dress, I’ve actually been toying with the idea of ordering it myself, but, alas, the shipping to Germany is quite expensive :’-(.
Anyway, should I be so lucky as to win it, I would go for a dark red silk taffeta, probably paired with a black lace edging and in calf-length for the slightly more rockabilly kind of look. 🙂
All the best from Germany, and a round of cheers for keeping up the amazing work and this great blog. 🙂
Hot red solid.
I’d use a pretty floral cotton sateen 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win! 🙂
Love your lace version!!
I’d make it with a beautiful burple silk or sateen. Elegant and fun! Your dress turned out beautifully.
Ooh I think this would be a fabulous Project for me to do for Minerva Crafts’ Blogger Network this summer! They have this fabulous Prada crepe that would be perfect for it. Yes, yes, even if I don’t win the giveaway I think there’s a hot pink Georgia mini dress in my future. My boyfriend would definitely like it and with would match my hot pink dance shoes for when I inevitably wear this dress out swing dancing. 😀
I’ll do the white silk!
So, so cute.
looks great!! I love the sexy silhouette it gives!
I would make a total twinsie copy of you! And once I perfected the fit, I’d shorten it and make several tops!
Love your version! And also your fabulous Mary Janes. I think I’d keep the 90s vibe going and hunt down some stretch plaid. In my dreams it would be green and purple… 😀
You’ve done a beautiful job.
I love that pattern! I really like the lace; I’d probably want to do a navy lace on navy silk, or black on oxblood if I were feeling more daring.
I’d likely make it in a navy cotton sateen, and I’d consider cream pipping to outline the bodice.
I just love your version, especially the scalloped edge. Not certain how that can be topped!
i can only imagine this dress in lace! You made a great job, its awesome!
you look so different with your new hair 😉
I LOVE your lace version! My dream Georgia would in a gold brocade. I love the wide strap version!
I would make it in a cotton sateen…I think 🙂 thank you for the giveaway and very nice dress 🙂 love the lace!
Very pretty! I would most likely make it up in a cotton sateen, but a smooth and soft corduroy would be a cool throwback to the 90s 😀
You look cute and that lace matching is outstanding. I would try it in a cotton sateen I have. Thanks
I would love to make this in a bright color…green?
Beautiful!! I adore this pattern – I’ve been ogling it since it emerged, and I love that you have made such a different look just by using a bit of pretty lace – lovely! 🙂 Love the pic of you and Landon – it’s very sweet 🙂
I would be ever so grateful to win a copy of this fantastic pattern – I promise to make a white silk version JUST FOR YOU!! If i do – but I’d also make another in a beautiful black jacquard I bought with this very dress in mind ^__^
Oh, that’s gorgeous! I never seem to be able to resist lace, and since I have just the right piece of beautiful purple lace in my stash, that should be it for this dress. I think underlined with a silver grey sateen.
Ooh la la! All the love and attention you poured into this dress was worth it. It’s stunning!
I’d be thrilled to win a copy of Georgia. I’d want to go full 90’s throwback and make it from denim.
Love you’re version! I’d make it in this silk that I have been coveting for ages it’s a beautiful fabric that has electric green blue pink and purple colours in it.
Love your lace version!
I would make the other view with the wider straps in a vibrant coral. And while I’m at it I also wouldn’t mind this one as a LBD.
Very nice combo with the beautiful green colour and black lace. I’m not sure if this pattern would look good on a small bust, but I supposed just making the cup size smaller (SBA) would do the trick. I’d love to win a copy and give it a shot!
Oh, fabric I would use is this indeterminate smokey indigo / purple that may or may not be taffeta that I got for $2 from my local thrift shop.
I might try this in something like a really stable knit – I don’t wear a lot of dresses but the knit comfort factor could make this a good “gateway” dress!
I don’t know what I’d use on this dress, but it would be the perfect excuse to go out and find something new! (Although having said that, I do like me some polka dots.)
Love how yours turned out, I would make it in Navy duchess satin/silk .
ahhh, I want this pattern so bad, but I am on a pattern ban, haha! I would make with this gorgeous cotton satin that I have on my stash for ages…
I still love this dress! Please enter me to win, I have some gorgeous turquoise rose print stretch cotton sateen that I’ve been saving for something nice, and this would be perfect 🙂
I loveeee your dress!
If I won I would make this beauty up in emerald velvet I have that’s begging for some much needed sexual factor haha xx
Your lace dress reminds me of the blue lace dress I wore when I met my hubby so I think I’d have to make a tribute dress in blue lace in time for our anniversary coming up soon!!
Such a cute dress, and I’m sure 100% Cher Horowitz approved. I would really love to try this dress in a navy velveteen, or just any cotton velveteen. It would be super fun and a bit of a departure from my usual style to sew something more fitted and practice my FBA!
Beautiful Dress. I would love to make a similar one to yours but use a rich blood red as the under-fabric. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Wow, you did an amazing job matching up the lace scallops. I like that this dress is a mini, but with no skankiness. I would use either my printed fabric from Fiji, or my turquoise and silver silk with an Indian print that I luckied upon in a thrift store. Probably both!
Oh, gah, I’m STILL in love with Mulder… that handsome devil! This is so fun in such a great 90’s way! Loving it on you, girl!
Great dress! You look ready for Hollywood!
I would probably make one out of a floral with plenty of purple, sparlky if I can find it – or a geeky print from Spoonflower.
Great dress! I would make a version in brocade.
Your dress is so beautiful! That black lace and teal is so nice!
I think i would like to make this dress in a print, maybe something with blues and purples 🙂
Ohhh I think something RED! Maybe a lightweight twill, something will a little structure anyway!
I love this dress! It is so cute on you. Thanks for sharing. I would love to be in your giveaway!
I would like to make this dress out of silk velvet, probably black or navy. It will be very beautiful and hard to sew 🙂
I would love to make a white dress with a black lace overlay, or many a purple dress with black piping. Or maybe just a red dress… 🙂
You are stunning! I’d go for a silk brocade as I think the textured looks great on this design .
This is great, i really need to dig out my lace with coloured background fabric out to make. I would love to win the pattern so i could creepily copy you….but in a nice way….and a few sizes bigger. I cant wait to see what colour your hair turns out.
You look rockin’! I love the idea of making in eyelet. The naughty and nice together
I love your version. The lace is so pretty, I’ve been eyeing up the Georgia pattern for a while. I’d love to make it up in a blue green Chinese brocade, and make the longer version
I would use a pretty off-white lace over a light pink silk. Maybe even some rosettes could decorate the top!
I would love to sew this dress and would choose a solid to show off the lines.
Oh so sexy, you look hawt in this lady! Can I just ask about the shape of the skirt please? Did you grade it up or flare it out in an A-line slightly? It looks less straight/fitted than other version and the fitted nature of the skirt is the only thing that puts me off the pattern for my figure. But I think your skirt looks uber flattering!
I actually didn’t change the skirt shape at all – that’s just how it sewed up straight from the pattern. Maybe it’s my body that’s making it look more A-line? Interesting! Also, shut up, you would be SO FREAKING HOTT in this dress omg
ooh, I would love the Georgie dress. I think I’d make it in a stretch satin for extra slinkyness. A deep purple or maybe an emerald green 🙂
I would love to try this dress. Making it in something silky would be my choice. Love the way you made it.
I’ve been dying for this pattern since it came out! I would either make it out of a metallic denim or a luxe velvet. Something super glam!
I would make it up in some really fun fabrics, like a carnival-classy dress, with some white polka dot lace i have in my stash and a fun underlay!
It’s really a beautiful dress! I really love your take on it!
Y U so awesome? Everything you make, I want to make! I would make a georgia in pink/white seersucker, and probably some chambray with lime polka dots I have in my stash.
Love the lace overlay! I have some pink rose lace that would look great as a Georgia.
It looks beautiful and your details are perfect, as usual! I would love to make myself a black lace version—- pure black. 🙂
Oooh lovely… I would make a really dark green velvet version, such a knockout dress!
I have a very pretty purple fabric I would use with black lace overlay
I have a bright pink cotton sateen I would try this pattern with. I don’t have any dresses in this color way.
A floral print for spring!
Your version is beautiful! I might give it a try in polka dots–red and white or black and white?
I love yours, but I feel like copying it would be awkward; after all, we sew to make unique things, right?
I do have a couple of yards of lavender and grey floral silk that seems to be calling for a slip dress.
Or maybe if I made it with lace and a berry or purple underlayer that would be different enough from yours….
I would probably attempt it in lace like you did! I love it!
I have some beautiful crimson cotton sateen that would make a beautiful Georgia for one of my nieces.
Ok, I was obsessed with the X-Files back when it originally aired when I was an undergrad. And I saw the first movie in the theater. Now I feel really old!
Your Georgia dress is amazing! Love the black lace with the emerald green. What a perfect Valentine’s Day dress!
I love BHL and your dress is a beautiful, imaginative version. If I made this up it would be in a diagonal plaid I’ve had my eye on. Something for the summer!
Beautiful dress Lauren – love your work!!
I like an eyelet would make a nice spring dress.
I think I’d probably make it in a deep blue brocade. Or cream lace! Or both!
Thank you so much for the twill tape tip- so simple but utterly genius 😀 One I’ll definitely be filing away into the mental bank!
Lovely frock too- you look smashing! I love it when ideas translate into happy finished projects 🙂
I love that tip for stablising the neckline – I’ll definitely be using that on my next Georgia dress instead of the interfacing I tried on my first one. Also, how hot are you?!
Ooo I have been oogling this pattern 🙂 I have some awesome red and white big gingham that looks like a picnic rug (complete with ants!) that I have been hoarding for something haha
Oh man, I so love Clueless! One of the top three movies eva. (But yet, it doesn’t quite manage to shift Princess Bride from #1 spot…. Buttercup still beats Cher in a smackdown.)
Hmmm…. fabric choice…. I just bought some navy cotton with cartoon turtles all over it. That could be a fun matching – take one formal, fitted dress, add novelty print, then wear to work with a brightly coloured cardigan. (And maybe some Dr Marten boots on casual Fridays to reference your 90’s throwback one, haha!)
I was looking at this pattern only yesterday… and I also have some lovely black fabric with branches in white and silver pattern on it that I have been saving for something special, so I think I would do view b of this dress with it (with the wider straps). Your version is very pretty! Thanks for hosting the giveaway 🙂
I think I would make it in something cotton for the spring. Maybe a pale green to make me think of spring time. Yours looks fantastic.
I would love to make this up in a fun print (preferably with cats on it) to contrast the pattern’s slinkiness 🙂
Id be tempted to do this in navy satin from ye old stash, black lace over Black, dark emerald Hunter Green and a bright pillar box red.
And as someone who grew up in the 90s and remembers it well (too well! ) I would HAVE to do a white version for a cher dress. Even if I never wear white! My fave movie growing up, I forgot about lusting after her dress lol. I’m now going to sit here in my embarrassment 😉
I would love to win this – I’d make it sailor style in a navy fabric with a cream trim around the edges and the thick straps!
Your dress is gorgeous, I love it I’d totally wear it, too!
Sorry, I forgot to mention – I’d make it in a navy viscose I already have, it has flowers running along one selvedge, so I’d use that as an accent on a side 🙂
You look amazing (& without a bra :P)!!! I’ll try it with a dark blue satin…and we’ll see…:/
Aw, what a sweet picture of the two of you, you make a lovely couple. Also the dress looks great, and very handy tip on the twill tape too. I’d love to win the pattern – no idea when I’d get around to making it but here’s hoping!
I have been planning to get this pattern and make myself a dress for a friend’s wedding which is going to be celebrate next May. A few weeks ago, on my last trip to Paris, I put my hand on a 2 meters coupon of a gorgeous Hermès black twill silk and I think it would make a very elegant georgia dress.
And thanks for your blog, it’s pretty inspiring.
Ouhahha this dress is really beautifull !
What do you think about a black velvet?
I’ve been planning to purchase Georgia after being so pleased with Anna. Of course, it would be lovely to have a free copy … with fabric waiting for it in my stash. I’ve been holding on to some lime green ( and probably some turquoise for accent in a jacket) for a fun summer dress. I think it would be perfect. Thank you! I’ve been lurking your blog for a long time and enjoy your talent and humor.
Hey you’ve knocked this one out the park! That man is a lucky one for damn diddly 🙂 I’ve got the pattern but yet to make it but yours is so lovely I’m gonna kick my ass.
Indigo silk, indigo silk, indigo silk!! (Though it looks beautiful with the lace you chose!)
I love this dress, its beautiful, i have a cobwebby pattern rayon/cotton blend that might work for that!
Great idea of using lace for the Georgia. I’ve been pondering making this dress for awhile now. Make me want to get off my bootie and
get it done! Also love the pic of you and Landon!
OMG SO PRETTY!
Honestly, this dress would look amazing in a simple deep red sateen, but my inner metal lover thinks the longer-length with the skinny straps would look AMAZE in some stretch pleather… Not sure how easy it would be to actually sew up in stretch pleather, but hot damn, would it look SMOKIN’.
I love your dress and would really like to try making one myself. I would have to make it in red crepe backed satin as I have always wanted a red dress.
That’s gorgeous, fits perfectly and very well made. I’d love to make a little black dress Georgia, seems like the perfect pattern.
been itching to try a by hand london dress, have some leopard sateen that’d be a hoot.
Lovely dress! I’m a pretty casual gal so I’d make this up in a woven cotton stripe. Or an eyelet underlined in a contrasting fabric would be sweet too.
Beautiful! The lace with the green showing through is perfect! I kind of want to make it in a deep blood red with black lace trim all over it, a sexy sexy goth dress to wear with my chunky stompy boots 😉
I love the green and black lace! Totally inspired me to make a 50’s fullskirted dress with the same color scheme… now I’ll have to go fabric shopping!
Is it just me, but I would love to see/wear this dress in some sort of stable knit or wool crepe. I really just like the idea of a slinky dress in a… not-so-slinky fabric.
This would make a fantastic lbd! I’d have to go with a cotton sateen because why not? Right? 🙂
I love your blog! I would make Georgia in a stretch woven I picked up from Fashion Fabrics Club that’s burgundy with tiny red diamonds on it. Thanks!
This looks so cool. I think I’d make a Georgia in a Jackson Pollock-ish Liberty Lawn that has been waiting for the perfect sheath dress for too long. Or in a red chambray with mini swiss dots, to keep it Valentine-spirited (and as an excuse to get red shoes)…
You look so cute in your new dress! If I won, I would make it in a floral print to wear in the summer with a cropped cardi.
Holy moly. This is amazing! You constantly blow my mind. You look stunning and I hope Landon told you that, and frequently. (And how cute is the photo of the two of you?)
I don’t know what I’d make this in. Something fancy. Perhaps the painted, embroidered, embellished dupion I’ve been hoarding for years? If I’ve got enough!
Such a great pattern, looks fab on you- lovely guts! I think that you could dress it up with by using a pretty silk, or make a more casual summer dress with a yarn dyed cotton plaid.
I would love this in a black lace on black combo!
Elvis says he def feels his temperature rising looking at that dress. HAWT. Count me out of the giveaway roomie as I have this pattern, but just wanted to say the dress is lovely! xx
When I saw the shoes you were wearing with the dress, my first thought was, “Hey, those look like the shoes I wore in college…” (early 90s)….*sigh* I loved the 90s, with its brown lipstick and chokers. I bet Scully was wearing brown lipstick in those episodes, was she not?
Seriously, I love the black lace over the turquoise. You really do make your own trends – and I’m sure inspire some copycats.
Ok, if I had this pattern, I’d make it up in boring old cotton.
Linen
Oh my gosh!!! A giveaway!!! First things first, though: I really like what you did with this dress, especially the little couture touches! The inside looks just as gorgeous as the out.
Now, about Georgia… I started really hankering for this pattern when I saw Heather’s radtastic denim version, and I think I’d probably make mine in a denim as well. OR I could use this amazing Donna Karan wool from Mood. It’s an amazing color, plus the little bit of stretch would play nicely with Georgia! http://www.moodfabrics.com/fashion-fabrics/wool/woven/donna-karan-burgundy-wool-blend-woven-fw11681.html
I have some red crepe back satin that’s been waiting for a pretty pattern! I have been eyeing the Georgia pattern ever since it came out.
I also have a beautiful purple wool with a slight stretch that would be so epic and amazing. Oh my lord.
I would like a little black dress in this design. maybe in some wool…
oooh very cute! I would probably do a bright floral print and make a more mod inspired design. love it!
Your dress looks gorgeous! And thank you for the giveaway, I’d make this beauty in black or with some tiki fabric.
lovely dress!.. and a very cute photo of you at the end.. I’m totally into wool/silk blends at the moment and think this would be lovely in a light blue blend I picked up last year and have been dying to use.. with a matching fitted jacket.. very Jackie Kennedy!
Hi! I’ll use stretching knit and lace 🙂
I looooove your version so much!!! Would you mind if I copied it? I already have the same coloured fabrics in my stash, although I wouldn’t have thought of such a gorgeous combination. I live far far away, in the other part of the world, Greece. But even if somebody notices, I’ll give you full credit, because I’m a LLadybird fan 🙂
I LOVE your version! The colours work beautifully together. I would really like this pattern and have been waiting for the right occasion to make it. I would make it in lace (probably black over red) or a purple sateen.
so cute – the contrast color underlining is a fantastic design element. And kudos to you for doing all the hand basting with silk thread, etc. – I always admire your construction! I would love to get my hands on a copy of that pattern too!
YESSSS PLEASE!! Sorry about the not so graceful shout, but I LOVE that pattern! And I love even more what you did with it!! I promise I’ll try not to make the exact same dress as you did 😉 but I really really do love your dress!
You look fantastic! I think I would make it in a lovely stretch velvet.
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
In my enthusiasm, I forgot to mention what fabric I would use, so: I have a beautiful floral stretch type of cotton lying here that screams Georgia!
Gimme it! I would make it in a stretch cotton sateen. Love love. Thanks!!
I would use this fabric I have been holding onto for months! I fell in love, bought it, got home only to find that my roommate bought THE SAME FABRIC two days before! Only she bought it to reupholster some ottomans… Whatever, I do what I want!
I’ve been so admiring this pattern, and your version is gorgeous! I want to make one with skinny straps, midi length, in black velvet. It would be such a perfect LBD for everything- from cocktail hour to more serious affairs. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work!
I want to make the wide strap version in a cotton floral for the spring, and the skinny strap version in a pale pink lightweight wool. I own too much black, my closet need some color!
I love your dress! I honestly would try to make a copycat of yours! I love teal. Thanks for the chance to win!
I’d love to make one in black sateen! I need a LBD.
Hello and thank you for your inspiration! I am pretty new to sewing but have seen the bff regal purple crepe satin that I think would look soooo beautiful. I love your candor and your sense of humor. Thanks again.
PS. I love the colors in your dress.
Your dres looks great! I’d love to make this in the heavy, slubbed silk I bought in India years ago and haven’t been brave enough to cut up yet…
Hi, Lladybird! (although with more than 200 comments, I doubt you read them all!) Dress is lovely, the choice of fabric is very good, I don’t know if i would improve it, although I rarely wear lace. Maybe leather (napa) would be a nice choice. Don’t worry about the bust seam, it is where it should be. It does not have to go under the bust, it is a way of making a softer transition. Regarding the muslim, sometimes it does not work, because it misses two crucial elements: the real fabric and its pecualiarities, and the finished seams and hems. I only use muslims with new patterns made by myself, with commercial patterns, I prefer marking them with tailor tucks and cut it with seam allowances big enough for corrections. Then you have a “muslim” with the real fabric, a more realistic trial.
Haha, nope, I totally read every single comment 🙂 Anyone who doesn’t read their comments is just a crazy person!
Oh my stars, this is great! You look great in that dress! I would make that dress in something emerald I guess… But I really have the urge to make something with lace now… *lol*
Yes, please! I would love to win this pattern. I have planne to make it with some silk I bought years ago in Bankok.
White or gold brocade! And wear it to very wedding I’m invited to. You did such a fantastic job!
Wow. So stunning on you. I would make it in off white stretch silk for my daughter’s senior dance, I think. She already bought the earrings and the shoes to go with it! Haha.
I love that underlined lace look! I have a stretch polka dot fabric that would look great in that shape 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win!
Wow, you look smokin’ hot! I’ve had to Georgia dress on my birthday wish list, but wasn’t so lucky to get it.. I’d love to make it up in a black very light wool fabric I got from my grandma..
One word for this dress – sexy!! Wonderfully sewn too. I hope you had a wonderful dinner & evening! Since I’m still learning about different fabrics, I’m guessing that I might like to sew mine in a sateen in a darker shade of blue. Something like this anyway!
Emerald curderoy or blue denim or brown tweed.
You look lovely and if I do not win your giveaway than I will just buy the pattern. (Am I cool, or what?)
Thank you for your inspiration, love, B.
Wow this dress is great! I love a good lace-over-bright-colour-underlining dress 🙂 I have the most perfect white cotton sateen with giant red roses all over it and wanted a bombshell style pattern to make it up. Georgia is it!
I think I would have to copy cat you a bit. I’m thinking purple lace with grey underlining or vice versa. Or I would change my mind completely when I go fabric shopping lol
Wow your version of the dress is so inspiring. I would like to make a version with a satin bodice and lace skirt with a trumpet trim. The pattern looks soo pretty.
I have been stalking this pattern online! Your version is amazing and makes me want it even more.
I’d like to sew it up in a gingham for spring and make it into an actual slip in satiny pastel colors. Lovely!
Would it be boring of me to say I’d like to make this up in cotton? I’m thinking maybe one of these cotton prints on my fabric shelf would make this into a cute sundress… idk I ❤ how yours turned out!
I would make this in any fabric I could get my hands on. This might be my favorite pattern ever; it looks flattering on every sewer I’ve seen so far.
I’d love to try this pattern, so far it’s looked great on everyone. I think I would try it with different fabrics – but first maybe with a soft blue denim…
I have a really great cotton stretch broad cloth that is blue gingham with yellow flowers on it. I think it would be great as that dress.