Last time I showed you a cute spring dress made with Cali Liverpool knit, using the first Big 4 pattern I’ve sewn with in years! I liked that dress so much that I decided to try View B as well!
And no surprises, I love it too! Big florals like this one from Cali Fabrics are really trendy this year, and I’ve seen quite a lot of Liverpool knit garments in stores. I’m so glad that sewing lets me make my own interpretation of trends, but fit it perfectly to my figure.
For reference, here’s the pattern I used: Burda 6439. Last post I showed View A, which has deep fluttery sleeves tapering down to the waist. This time I tried View B, which has shorter cut-on sleeves and a longer skirt with side slits. I didn’t adjust the length last time, but this time I took 4″ off the bottom hem to suit my very short legs!
And voila! This one became an instant wardrobe favourite. I love the vibrant floral and also how the Liverpool knit skims and flatters my curves. I feel modern, chic and effortless in this dress.
Look at that pretty back neckline! It’s low enough to be flirty, but stays well above my bra. I stabilised the v-neck with knit stay tape before attaching the facing, and now it sits perfectly! (And in case you are curious like me – yes, this dress is wearable back-to-front! I get a little swayback pooling when I wear it backwards, and the V front is not for the shy… but workable!)
Now, some of you might be wondering, “What the heck is Liverpool?” It is a polyester double-knit, which has a crepe texture on the good side. It is about the same thickness as a lightweight ponte, with a slightly spongey feel. Liverpool seemed to spring on the scene just a few years ago, and now it’s widely available in many different solids and prints. Take a look at Cali’s selection here!
I’ve sewn Liverpool into a bunch of different dress styles, and it’s worked well for everything from shifts to trapeze to fit-and-flare. It has moderate drape and body, so it’s not as clingy as a bamboo knit nor as stiff as a heavy ponte. Because it is polyester, it never fades, though I do find it can snag or pill if it is in contact with something rough like a zipper or pendant necklace. Liverpool is a great fabric to order online, because the texture and weight is reliable and consistent!
I’d love to hear if you’ve sewn with Liverpool before… and let me know which view of the dress you like best!