Wow! It seems forever since I last blogged, but I have been testing some amazing patterns that I can’t wait to blog about! The Vivienne dress by Frocks and Frolics is an elegant classic dress. It is also one of the more complex patterns I have sewn thus far, with princess seams and an invisible zipper that to my delight, turned out pretty darn nice!

It comes with a lovely peter pan collar that extends all the way to the back which is so gorgeous. The three quarter sleeves have the most adorable cuffs. The pattern comes with options for a plain circle skirt, a box pleated circle skirt and straight skirt with box pleats all with cuttings lines for peplum, short and longer length skirts. With sizes from 1-2 all the way up to 10 -12, I can’t wait to sew it up for my little one as she grows older ’cause this is a pattern which would look absolutely stunning even as she grows older 🙂  Each size also comes in two fits, regular and slender.

I have since changed the buttons on the tabs to really cute round red buttons but sadly never managed to get pictures so these would have to do.

The red is a lovely jacquard with silk embroidered paisley from Jo Ann and the white with silver damask print that I used for the collar and cuffs is a quilting cotton, also from Jo Ann.

There’s my first invisible zipper 🙂

And because I had to try another, this time slightly more fitted than my first version, I sewed up a simple cotton Vivienne with some lovely eyelet fabric for the collar and cuffs and an eyelet lace trim!

I am in love with this sweet simple version and how well the flat piping emphasizes those princess seams 🙂 and I did button holes with loops which turned out okay but I think only an invisible zipper does justice to this elegant pattern.

The instructions, and the instructional videos that Marina has are outstanding, and I am going to be biased ’cause thanks to her, I find installing concealed zippers a breeze now! She offers amazing support through her Frocks and Frolics facebook group as well.

You can get the pattern here and its on sale for 30% off regular price if you purchase it by Wednesday. I’d say that is a steal!!!