Lou Box Dress 2 Tester Roundup

Yesterday I shared photos from the Lou Box Dress 1 tester group and today I'm happy to share photos from the Lou Box Dress 2 tester group. The Lou Box Dress 2 features a ballet style neckline, scoop pockets, tapered and gathered elastic waist. View A has three-quarter length sleeves. View B has full-length sleeves and a low scoop back. Read on to see photos and hear what they had to say about the pattern. (Click the photos to visit the their blog or Instagram.)

Jewel's thoughts on the pattern might be my favorite of all time. 

"The Lou Box Dress is a magic dress. (Stay with me here!) It’s super simple to sew…which is exactly what I needed after coming off a month hiatus from sewing. It doesn’t take a lot of fitting. (So magical!) I’m a girl who has to have her waist cinched so I make a lot of structured garments. With the Lou Box Dress 2 I can have the effortless ease of a loose (fitted) dress and still give my waist the definition I need to feel confident.

My sisters and I have three very different body types so it’s rare that a dress can fit us all. But the Lou Box Dress 2 does just that! (It looks slightly different on each one of us because of the different shapes.) But if you’re scared about jumping in and are perhaps unsure on which size to sew, check the measurements one more time, then go! It’ll work. You may end up like me and think “Hmm…I think I should have sized down in the bodice to make it more me…guess I’ll do that on the next one!” Oh…there is going to be a next one…several in fact! I have THREE different fabrics picked out just for me - then there’s the ones my sisters want!" – Jewel

"The Lou Box Dress is a simple, chic design and was a pleasure to sew. The loose design of the dress is very comfortable and surprisingly flattering with the right fabric. Plus, I do love a dress with pockets." – Claire

"I absolutely love the style of this dress, so comfy to wear, amazing big pockets and long sleeves! It was quick and easy to sew too, I’ll be filling my wardrobe with these!" – Jenny

"This is a very easy beginners pattern, but makes up a great dress (with pockets!). I love it and wore it to work the day after I finished it. You can make it in a lot of different fabrics, so you would be able to make a lot of differents looks. It's also a great dress to dress up or down! Already planning my second version!" – Laura

"You are really going to love it if you liked the Lou Box Top!" – Maria
(By the way, if you have the Lou Box Top pattern, you can mix and match the pattern pieces with the pieces from the dress for loads of variations.)

I love Fleurine's rayon dress. She even hacked it to be maternity friendly! See her blog post here.

"The Lou Box Dress is a perfect beginner pattern - easy to sew and with a very forgiving and flattering look. There are so many options, especially if you have the Lou Box Top pattern, too." – Fleurine

"The Lou Box Dress #2 is everything I never knew I needed. The easy style of the original Lou Box Top is so chic and wearable in dress form, and the low back view is the perfect hint of something special." – Maddie

"This dress is such a quick and fun sew. I like how versatile it is, and that it can be flattering on many body types. And the best part? Pockets!" – Megan

Michelle's Lou Box Dress 2
Michelle's Lou Box Dress 2

"A great pattern! Easy to follow directions with clear instructions. A classic silhouette suitable for both wovens and knits!" – Michelle

"I LOVE, LOVE, L-O-V-E this dress! My husband's eyes also lit up very brightly when I tried it on for him, so it's got that stamp of approval too!" – Megan

I want to give another BIG THANK YOU to all of my testers. I couldn't do it without you! If you'd like to get your own copy of this pattern, you can find it in the shop here. Until Tuesday, Jan 9, 2018 at midnight Pacific time, you can get 20% off the Lou Box Dress 1 and Lou Box Dress 2 individual patterns with the code LOUBOXDRESSLAUNCH (bundle not included).

Lou Box Dress 1 & 2 Bundle PDF Patterns
Sale Price: US$22.00 Original Price: US$28.00

Lou Box Dress 1 Tester Roundup

Having people test a pattern is so essential for finding parts of the pattern that could be clarified as well as typos and errors. I had a great group of testers for my new patterns and today I’m going to share a few of the photos and quotes from the group that tested the Lou Box Dress 1. I'm so grateful to each and every one of them for taking the time to sew up a new pattern and provide feedback. (Click the photos to visit the their blog or Instagram.)

Alison aka @sewing.mistress in the Lou Box Dress 1

Alison aka @sewing.mistress in the Lou Box Dress 1

Alison aka @sewing.mistress in the Lou Box Dress 1

Alison aka @sewing.mistress in the Lou Box Dress 1

Alison was a total rockstar and sewed up two dresses! Here's what she had to say about the pattern:

"I thoroughly enjoyed sewing the Lou Box Dress 1 which was cleverly designed by Beth at Sew DIY. I found the pattern to be a very fast make with great illustrations and easy to understand instructions. The dress shape is very on trend and translates well with both formal and non formal fabrics. This is a pattern I would recommend for someone who is new to sewing or someone with more experience wanting a quick project that they can complete easily in an afternoon." 

"The Lou Box Dress 1 is a great addition to any wardrobe. It's fast to sew and a casual, comfortable dress to wear." – Angela

"I love the Lou Box Dress! Such a quick fun sew, and result is stunning! :) I love that the cocoon shape gives it a unique touch, not your regular shift dress <3" – Diorella

"This dress makes the most perfect cocoon dress. It is quite roomy in a knit fabric so make sure to size down from your normal size. I found this dress to be perfect for lounging at home, but you can also dress it up for that coffee date. Now I want to make another one is a woven fabric! For the #sewingtall guys out there:  I am 1.76m tall and only added 2cm's but could even do without it!" – Laura

"This is an easy pattern, with lots of versatility! After sewing my first one, I didn’t even have to look at the tutorial to sew the second, except for where I changed the sleeves. I love the different pocket options and the way you can combine this pattern with the top and other dress for even more options." – Mari

"This was the perfect weekend project dress, and great for beginners. It is comfortable with an interesting shape—a really high impact dress for just a few hours of work! It is also really adaptable based on fabric choice...I can see it being formal or very casual. I can't wait to remake this in a sweatshirt/jersey fabric. Also—POCKETS!" – Chloe Skye

"This pattern was so quick and easy, and such a dream to sew up! I would definitely want to make more of these in a variety of fabrics, lengths and styles!!" – Kristi

"I love this dress! Simple lines, but interesting and versatile with the pocket and sleeve options and ability to use woven and knit fabrics." – Melonie

"Fans of the versatile Lou Box Top will love this expansion pack. The cocoon dress style is peak #secretpajamas, and just begs to be made up in a cozy knit and worn to work!" – Maddie

"A super quick sew. When you need to get a new outfit in for a short getaway, definitely this one! I am taking mine to Bali the day after tomorrow!" – Sally

"This is a simple and fun sew. I used a linen and love the way the dress drapes from the shoulders. The pattern and instructions are clear and the dress sewed up in a couple hours. I made my first one for a friend, but will be making the next one for myself!" – Marilyn

I want to give another BIG THANK YOU to all of my testers. I couldn't do it without you! If you'd like to get your own copy of this pattern, you can find it in the shop here. Until Tuesday, Jan 9, 2018 at midnight Pacific time, you can get 20% off the Lou Box Dress 1 and Lou Box Dress 2 individual patterns with the code LOUBOXDRESSLAUNCH (bundle not included).

Lou Box Dress 1 & 2 Bundle PDF Patterns
Sale Price: US$22.00 Original Price: US$28.00

New in the Shop! – Introducing the Lou Box Dress 1 & 2

Today I’m very pleased to announce the launch of two new pdf sewing patterns – the Lou Box Dress 1 and the Lou Box Dress 2. I’ve been working on these patterns for a year now and I’m so excited to finally share them. They are both variations of my most popular pattern, the Lou Box Top, using the same sizing and the same guides to Mix & Match. Each pattern can be used on its own or combined with the Lou Box Top or the other dress for seemingly endless possibilities. These patterns are both easy to wear and easy to sew with lots of opportunity for variations to make it your own. 

When I first started thinking about expanding the Lou Box Top pattern, I was focused on adding sleeves, as they are one of the most requested hacks. Somehow along the way of making many, many samples, I ended up with two dress designs plus the sleeves! I had so many ideas, it was really tough to narrow it down but I’m really pleased with how both of these designs came out. I’ve been wearing both of them a lot this last year. Both patterns work really well in both woven and knit fabric and there are detailed instructions for sewing the dresses in both types of fabric.

The Lou Box Dress 1 is a loose-fitting cocoon style dress. Worn alone, it’s perfect for warm summer days. Paired with a sweater, tights and boots, it will take you through the colder months. Make it in linen for a casual and sophisticated look or use sweatshirt fabric for extra coziness. The blue and cream striped dress is View A sewn in a medium-weight knit fabric (similar to ponte in weight) from The Fabric Store. It features a medium scoop neck, 3/4 length sleeves with cuffs, in-seam pockets and a knee-length skirt. View B is sewn in a lightweight linen and features short cuff sleeves and patch pockets. 

The Lou Box Dress 2 is a loose-fitting gathered waist dress with a ballet neckline, scoop pockets, a knee length skirt and dolman sleeves. The floral print is View A made in a lovely woven rayon fabric from The Fabric Store. View B is sewn in a light-medium weight knit fabric and features full-length tapered sleeves and a low scoop back. 

I have a sewalong in the works that will roll out over the next month or so. The sewalong will include tips, tricks and photos. (In the meantime, if you need a little extra help, check out the Lou Box Top Sewalong, many of the steps are the same.) The patterns can be purchased individually or as a bundle for a savings of 25%. Until Tuesday Jan 9, 2018 at midnight Pacific, you can get 20% the individual patterns using the code LOUBOXDRESSLAUNCH at checkout. I hope you love these patterns as much as I do! 

Lou Box Dress 1 & 2 Bundle PDF Patterns
Sale Price: US$22.00 Original Price: US$28.00