It has become a tradition; every year, I sew a birthday outfit. It’s an opportunity for me to sew a piece that stands out and that I want from the sewing list (the famous PAC as my students say: the Sewing Pile, referring to the PAL, the reading pile 😂).

This year is no exception, and what better than a princess dress for her birthday! 
I fell for the Limurine dress by Comme une Fleur in its Juliette sleeve version. When I entered all of Flore’s beautiful models into our pattern library where you’ll find over 1450 references, I immediately saw the potential of this model! 

Plus, there was a fabric from the shop that caught my eye and would give a slightly "dramatic" touch to this dress. 

So I got started and I’m sharing this sewing adventure with you here.
Let's go! 

The model

The Limurine dress or top is a versatile knit piece to create an elegant skater dress, a princess dress, or a trendy and comfortable knit top! 

With carefully designed details to offer a multitude of style options, this pattern will allow you to create unique pieces suited to your personality.

This pattern was co-developed by Flore from the brand Comme une Fleur with Amélie from "sew together 1 pattern 1 month." 

The main features that made me fall for Limurine are:
- a fitted bodice
- the option to choose between two round necklines with different neckline depths
- three skirt lengths allowing you to make a peplum blouse, a knee-length dress, or an ankle-length dress with a slit option
- the best for last, six different sleeves are available! This makes for a very reusable model for different occasions. The sleeve options are: ruffles, tulip, small puff, double puff, Juliette, and basic

It is possible to add shoulder pads to maintain the volume depending on the sleeve chosen. 

Finally, Limurine is super quick to sew! 

Information for sewing this model

Limurine by Comme une Fleur is available in PDF format in our pattern library. The brand Comme une Fleur currently only offers digital formats; the printed version is not available. 

No worries, Flore has thought of everything and offers us the option to print with or without layers according to your preferences, in A4, A0 formats or even to use the projector file.

Plus, the seam allowances are included so it’s very easy to use! 

The Limurine dress ranges from size 32 to 60; it will therefore be perfect for teenagers and fuller-figured women. In fact, Flore offers several types of adjustments in the pattern for height as well as for the bust. 

Note that Limurine is easy to sew and Flore rated it 2/5 in difficulty.
I would say it is suitable for intermediate sewing level or resourceful beginners who have already made woven garments and would like to start sewing jersey. 

In the seamstress's basket

To sew Limurine, you will absolutely need stretch knit fabric: cotton jersey, viscose, bamboo... but also french terry, milano knit, knit fabric...

For the supplies: 
- Fabric: 1.8 m to 4 m (details in the table below)
- a matching spool of thread
- if you choose to assemble it with a serger, you will also need matching cones.
- Flat elastic: 0.5 cm wide, length depending on the chosen sleeve (4 times your bicep circumference for the double balloon sleeve, 2 times your bicep circumference for the small balloon and Juliette sleeves) 
- shoulder pads for the Juliette and balloon sleeve option

For the equipment: 
- Jersey or stretch needle
- for hems double stretch needle

My supplies

I chose a jersey from the shop with a baroque-inspired embroidered flower print. 

I have to say this jersey caught my eye when it arrived and it was obvious I was going to save a piece for myself. 

I chose a navy blue 310 thread and matching cones. 

Since I chose to make the Juliette sleeves, I also used 6mm flat elastic. 

Technical points

Limurine is rated difficulty level 2/5. So it’s accessible for many sewists.

The technical points are:
- assembling the lined bodices
- setting the sleeves (more or less difficult depending on the chosen option)
- making the shoulder pads and assembling them (depending on the chosen option)
- attaching elastic or making the slit (depending on the chosen option)
- making hems with a twin needle or coverstitch machine. 

My sewing experience

I loved sewing Limurine, it goes super fast to sew! 

For timing, I spent 40 minutes gluing the sheets and cutting my pattern.
20 minutes to cut the pieces. 
Then I took 1h30 to assemble the entire dress; including making the shoulder pads. 
Finally, 30 minutes were needed to make the hems. 
Total: 3h. 
We agree that I sew fast; however, I think the dress can be sewn in an afternoon. 

I chose to sew it in size 36, skater skirt version with Juliette sleeves, the famous princess sleeves.

I chose the classic neckline, not plunging, since it’s still winter! The fact that the bodice is lined also adds comfort and warmth. 

For my part, I assembled the entire dress with the serger and made my hems on the coverstitch machine (which I underuse 😅 so it was time to fix that). 

Note that I shortened the sleeves by 2cm for my short arms; other than that, I made no modifications. 

I think Limurine is really a great pattern and the different options offered by Flore make this pattern very versatile. It’s great to have a pattern in your pattern library that you can pull out to sew several styles, from the princess dress to the comfortable and practical blouse. 

I also appreciated that the different sleeve options were on separate A4 PDFs, it makes it easy to print the desired sleeve option and also to keep things organized! 

Find all the Comme une fleur patterns here. 

Alright, I’m off now, I need to get ready! 

My birthday is tomorrow!

See you soon and get your needles ready!