Split Front Lund
Blogger: Deanna Mackin
Split Front Lund Dress
Riley Blake Designs offers beautiful fabric prints from a variety of designers and always has the best selection of whimsical holiday motifs. My Mind’s Eye for Riley Blake Designs’ newest collection, “Old Fashioned Christmas,” features an array of vintage inspired prints in a traditional color palette. This collection uses rich spruce green, cranberry red, and cream tones throughout unique treatments of classic themes - Santa Claus, holly, pine needles, candy canes, and texts. It also provides the perfect coordinates including multiple shades of stars, dots, tartans and plaids.
I was immediately drawn to the “Main in Cream” and “Stars Alpine” designs. I knew I wanted a pattern with a timeless silhouette to pair with these old-fashioned prints. Lund is a spectacular holiday look with several options including a voluminous double layered skirt and split back over skirt. For this blog I decided to place the over skirt split in the front instead of the back to truly highlight these gorgeous Riley Blake fabrics.
Only a few simple modifications are needed to reverse the Lund skirt. Start by completing the “ruffle hem skirt” and “optional split-back over skirt” as directed in the pattern. Take the ruffle hem skirt and mark the middle of the front. Next, layer the over skirt on top of the ruffle hem skirt. Instead of placing the split in the back, place it in the front, butting the ends together along the front center mark previously drawn. Match up the skirt side seams and pin/clip both skirts in place. Baste the two skirt layers together all the way around using a 1/4" (0.6 cm) seam allowance.
To create the placket, follow the instructions on page 50 of the tutorial for the simple skirt option. The only difference is that the placket is applied to both skirt layers at the same time. Sew a basting stitch directly on the 1/4” (0.6 cm) lines that were drawn to create the box. This will secure both layers together before sewing the placket. Finish the placket as directed.
Start the gathering stitches on the skirt next to the ruffle and continue seeing the gathering stitch around the skirt opening until the ruffle is reached on the other side. When gathering and attaching the skirt, leave the front ruffles ungathered so the skirt is flat where the ruffles lie (indicated in green). Once finished, the front of the skirt will look like this.
A festive holiday dress isn’t complete without the perfect sash! The optional Lund sash is extra wide and ties the whole look together. I chose the “Text in Red” print for the sash to make the dress even more “Merry & Bright.”
Big sister has the perfect dress for the occasion, and I couldn’t leave little brother out. He is wearing a Baby Bayfield romper sewn with the “Plaid in Forest” print. These siblings are dressed and ready for their visit to Santa this year. Happy Holiday sewing!
