Some projects feel extra special from the very beginning, and this one definitely does. I’ve just finished sewing The Assembly Line Tulip Dress in pale blue Hello Kitty Liberty Tana Lawn – a fabric that you can only buy in Japan. It was kindly picked up for me on a recent trip by a woman I met at Sew Seasonal (thank you again!). This fabric is such a treasure, and I was determined to make the most of it.

I bought 5 metres and managed to eek out not only the Tulip Dress, but also a pair of matching Charlotte knickers – because how could I resist a co-ord moment with something so rare?

For the dress itself, I cut a size small, which according to my measurements gave me around 5 cm of ease at the bust and waist. The silhouette is simple yet striking, and I love how wearable it feels. Since Liberty Tana Lawn has such a soft, drapey hand, I added a tulle petticoat underneath to give the skirt a touch more volume – and it really makes the tulip shape shine.

Styling-wise, I’m keeping things playful: I’ll be pairing my new dress with my red Mary Janes from Scarlet Jones and my Francie cardigan from Lilypond. The pale blue and red together feel cheerful and summery, and the Hello Kitty print adds that perfect dose of whimsy.

This dress makes me smile every time I put it on, and I can already tell it’s going to be in heavy rotation over summer. Cute, comfortable, and just a little bit cheeky – everything I want in a handmade dress.

Pips