Edelweiss Patterns 
Liesl’s Edelweiss Dress is inspired by the dress Liesl von Trapp wore during the “Edelweiss” scene. It is not an exact film costume replica, but is so similar. I spent dozens of hours just scrutinizing the design of the dress on screen before I sketched and designed this version.
The scalloped ruffles at the sleeves and neck proved to be a task – I didn’t like the size of the scallop stitch built into my sewing machine, and I couldn’t find any scalloped white cotton at that width… So I cut the scallops by hand and finished the raw edges of each scallop using FrayCheck. It was a project! The tiny purple flower appliques were as close as I could find to the film version. I searched far and wide for something like this, and eventually ordered these in bulk from France.
The thing I love about the original creation is that it perfectly blends the European dirndl charm with a slightly more refined, almost-1940s look. You have the fitted bodice with all the piping and seams so common in dirndls, but the lack of printed cottons tones down the “Octoberfest” look! 😉 Saul Chaplin (one of the associate producers on the film), once remembered that the production team had actually asked Dorothy Jeakins to *not* put any “fancy dirndls” in the film.
The skirt is full and gathered, but still quite lightweight to wear since the dress is made of a linen-cotton blend.
We hope to have this released in pattern form soon.
So long, farewell,
Katrina Holte
Really, really lovely Katrina! I enjoyed reading this so much! The photos are perfect 🙂 <3
How beautiful! Great job! I would possibly be interested in a Kickstarter. I love the tailored look of the dress, with the full skirt. I’m in love with princess seams right now, and I have never thought about piping them but it gives them a beautiful definition. The dress looks figure flattering, which is always nice, and the space in the front gives it a nice unique detail. If I were sewing it for myself I would probably either omit or modernize the ruffles at the top, although I can’t see them super well on my glarey monitor. Perhaps if you do a pattern, you could include a suggestion or two in that direction, for those of us who just like pretty dresses, and aren’t necessarily looking for a replica. Anyway, wonderful job!!
How beautiful! Great job! I would possibly be interested in a Kickstarter. I love the tailored look of the dress, with the full skirt. I’m in love with princess seams right now, and I have never thought about piping them but it gives them a beautiful definition. The dress looks figure flattering, which is always nice, and the space in the front gives it a nice unique detail. If I were sewing it for myself I would probably either omit or modernize the ruffles at the top, although I can’t see them super well on my glarey monitor. Perhaps if you do a pattern, you could include a suggestion or two in that direction, for those of us who just like pretty dresses, and aren’t necessarily looking for a replica. Anyway, wonderful job!!
I check your site occasionally and just saw this now – it is beautiful! I remember you saying you were going to make a version of this. It’s beautiful, so so well done.