Edelweiss Patterns Welcome to the Edelweiss Patterns blog page! I’m excited to share with you what I’ve learned from my studies of historical costume, vintage sewing projects, classic film costumes, and the real life story of the von Trapp family. I sincerely hope that you have as much fun reading it as I do writing it. If you ever have any suggestions, feel free to drop me a line. You can contact me here.
To begin, I’d like to share what inspired me to start studying the “Sound of Music” dress styles. When I reached the ripe old age of three, I received a hand-me-down white “sailor suit” dress with a navy embroidered anchor in the middle of the navy-trimmed collar. Instantly I thought, “This is just like Gretl’s!” And from then on, I was determined to wear dresses that reminded me of the von Trapp story. Throughout my childhood I continued to compare my wardrobe to the “Sound of Music” characters, and looking back I can see that there were some defininte similarities as I copied the styles of Brigitta, Liesl, and eventually, Baroness Schraeder.
After years of studying historical costume and couture gown construction, I suddenly had the idea – “What if I were to recreate the “Sound of Music” dresses?” I wasn’t sure if anyone else was as fond of these vintage styles as much as I was, but I knew that if nothing else I would have fun making them. So after hours of detailed sketching and designing, I decided that Liesl’s “gazebo” dress would be my first pattern. In true “Sound of Music” style, I honored the “curtain play clothes” idea and stitched my first two sample dresses out of excess sheer fabric from curtain projects. Over two years and hundreds of hours of sewing later, I arrived at the “Liesl’s Dancing Dress” pattern graded in sizes 6-20. Before long, I heard from many ladies who have always admired the design as much as I have. There’s something about this 1930s dress that’s so charming and feminine – from the full, flowing sleeves and fluttery skirt, to the adorable fitted bodice and the tiny ribbon bows.
The “Liesl” dress has been by far my favorite dress to sew, and I’m delighted to offer the pattern for other seamstresses to use for their own dresses. While it’s not to be used for commercial production or garments sales, theater groups and vintage dress fans can at last have a dress that looks an awful lot like Liesl von Trapp’s! Please follow along for more pattern releases and sewing adventures.
So long, farewell!
Katrina
I cannot even begin to express how happy I am to stumble across this pattern. Ever year or so, I scour the internet looking for Liesl’s “gazebo dress” because I love it so much. I’m just learning to sew and I have no idea how long it will take before I am able to successfully conquer this pattern, but I don’t care! Your dress is IDENTICAL to Liesl’s and I will continue trying until I finally have the dress of my dreams! THANK YOU!!!
Hello Lindsay,
So glad you found the Liesl dress! It has been one of my favorites since I was a little girl myself, and I am always happy to answer any sewing questions you might have about the pattern. I’m sure you can do it, as I have had one complete beginner who made the dress in her eight-week sewing class!
Auf weidersehen!
Katrina