Modern Heirloom Dress

This “Modern Heirloom Dress” features The Bodice Dress pattern by Collars Etc. Pattern Company and is based on the “Heirloom Made Easy” ensemble featured in the BERNINA 580 webinar hosted by Nina McVeigh last month. You’ll find instructions for her version at www.berninausa.com > Classes > Fashion Sewing Classes.

I took it one step back and combined traditional heirloom techniques — lace insertion, entredeux, and Swiss-embroidered trims — with Spanish Hemstitching to create the bodice fabric. First I created a large rectangle by stitching strips of fabric and trims together, then I placed the pattern over it and cut out the bodice front.

Instructions for the corded collar edge and Spanish-hemstitched band along the bottom of the dress are included in  Nina’s “Heirloom Made Easy” directions.