Discover... the Laïa top or dress

Today I'm introducing my brand new pattern: the Laïa top or summer dress!

The Laïa pattern is a design I created a year ago for a special summer issue of Idées à Coudre magazine. I revised the pattern and adapted it into a dress to offer it to you here.

I wanted this design to be simple and quick to sew: it requires few pieces to cut, has few technical points, and most importantly, it looks as good inside as it does outside without needing a serger, thanks to its French seams.

In short, it's the pattern to sew this summer if you're a beginner or if you're more experienced and want a "no-fuss" sewing project.

The pattern is available in the shop here.

Pattern Features:

Laïa is a top or a dress with a flounce (only the length of the long flounce differs). Straps tie at the shoulders, allowing the top or dress to be best adjusted to the child. So you don't have any buttons or buttonholes to sew! The front flounce is gathered and the back is elasticated.

Laïa is available in sizes 4 to 14 years (all 11 sizes are included on the pattern sheet).

Sewing Techniques:

This pattern seems technically very accessible:

You need to have basic machine sewing skills.

The only "difficulty" is making gathers, but if you follow the tips for pretty gathers that I give you here, you'll see it's much simpler than you thought.

The top or dress is assembled with French seams. If you're not familiar with them, this is an opportunity to try them out because they are very simple and allow you to achieve beautiful finishes without using a serger.

I recommend you check out the illustrated tutorial with photos here on my blog. You'll find the complete creation of Laïa. This will allow you to judge the difficulty level of my pattern.

PDF Pattern Presentation:

The pattern is available in PDF format only. It is delivered in ZIP format (grouping PDF files), to download and print at home. You will find all information on this topic in the pattern description on the website as well as in the "frequently asked questions".

The pattern is full-size and includes 20 pages (A4) to assemble. The detailed explanatory sheet illustrated with diagrams includes 8 pages.

Seam allowances are included. They are 1 cm or 1.5 cm for French seams (everything is well explained in the pattern!).

The pattern includes layers. You can therefore select the size(s) you wish to print.

And in addition to the A4 pattern, you also receive the A0 format.

Fabric Choice:

The pattern is designed for woven fabric.

This is a model designed for summer and worn next to the skin. I therefore advise you to choose a light and soft fabric. For example, cotton batiste or poplin, chambray, double cotton gauze, viscose, light linen...

To personalize your top or dress, you can use a different fabric for the top or for the small ruffle. You can add piping between the top and the ruffle. Or even add lace at the bottom of the ruffle(s).

The pattern is available in the shop by clicking here. You order it and receive it immediately in PDF (ZIP) format.

And if you sew the top or dress, don't hesitate to share your creations on social media with the hashtags #toplaïa, #robelaïa, and #louandmecouture.

See you soon,

Lydie