Nicks and the Tulips

Tulips as far as the eye can see in this post!

I got tickets to Tulips for Tapping this year (a field of tulips in Norfolk open to visit to raise money for a hospice) - did you know this was here in the UK and not just Netherlands? 

Photo from Tulips for Tapping

Of course in true stitcher style, I wanted to make something to wear and you know I do love to dress to a theme. 

This fabulous fabric is from Minerva called 'Nursery Blooms' - I have previously used it 2023 to make a Nova Dress and the remainder has been in my stash ever since. When I was having a clear our I kept being drawn back to it and the Closet Core Nicks Dress was shouting to me. A pattern that had also languised unused since 2023.

Turns out (and I had forgotten) I previously made a toile in a size 16 (my usual size) but it really was too big for me and so I sized down to a size 12 and even took out some fullness through the bodice. 2023 had made all the pattern changes so that 2025 me could pick it up and get sewing. 

 This is a seriously great pattern! (It's Closet Core so you know...classy goods). Massive size reduction aside, the pattern itself has some lovely features. The sleeves have the slightest gather which I really liked and I am not a puffy sleeve type. The bodice also gathers to the shoulder giving a very pretty effect. 

I think I had swerved this pattern initially as it was one of these that looked very complicated and involved and I didn't have the brain space for that. Upon making it, I can't believe how quickly and effectively it comes together. 

The front loops are made as one strip, cut and then trapped in the bias binding that's used to bind the entire neckline. I thought I was going to have to stitch the loops down but amazingly they stay put.

The peplum for this tunic version is made using THE MIDDLE TIER - I repeat THE MIDDLE TIER. Don't be me, who attached the top tier of the dress three times, wondering each time why there was no gather at all. I even resorted to watching a video of the construction to see where I was not doing it properly. Wrong pattern piece! By some minor miracle, the last sliver of fabric I had was the same width as the middle tier required. Blouse saved. 

There is a pattern piece to make the bodice binding out of the main fabric however I didn't have enough and just used ready made. A cute little label added and to finish off the look, a pair of tulip earrings by Sapphire Frills.

I am absolutely going to make this pattern again. The tunic is so easy breezy to wear and a dress would look fantastic - although that does take about 5m for all those layers and I do not have that in the stash!

 Definitely a recommended pattern - although the general consensus to go down 2 sizes is pretty accurate - and also a recommended tulip filed if you like that kind of thing!

Wishing everyone well and thank you for stopping by - feel free to comment and come and say hello on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Bloglovin too xxx