Inspiration Station: Have You Made the Peppermint Bardon Dress?

If you’re anything like us and enjoy twirling your way through each and every day, our collaborations with Perth patternmaker Lauren Boyle of Elbe Textiles have got you covered. After creating the gorgeous Maxi Dress for Issue 44, the Peppermint Bardon Dress from Issue 48 has proved to be a hit on socials and we’re absolutely loving seeing what you create!

Featuring a sleeveless bodice, snazzy gathered tiers and the best feature in our opinion, pockets, this looks-good-on-everyone style is the injection of fun your wardrobe needs – and it’s available for free! 

This sweet sewing pattern was created in partnership with our friends at Spoonflower. As the world’s largest marketplace of independent designs from global artists, we know you’ll love Spoonflower for their custom, sustainable textile printing. Their on-demand process significantly reduces materials, energy and water, featuring eco-friendly inks and a carefully sourced range of fabrics – including organic options.

For our lovely version of the dress, we used the Lightweight Cotton Twill from Spoonflower in a gorgeous print from Australian illustrator Louise Margaret. It’s the perfect put-on-and-go number for the warmer months but we reckon you could layer it with a turtleneck, tights and jacket for wear all year round.

ABOVE: PENE GORMLEY WEARING THE BARDON DRESS BY RACHAEL BASKERVILLE FOR PEPPERMINT.

If you haven’t made it already, what are you waiting for?! With so much potential for your own version (the possibilities are endless!), we asked three wonderful sewing influencers to whip up the dress in a Spoonflower fabric of their choice. 

We heart these makes from our sewing pals: Chloe from @theslowlifesews’s in a gingham cotton twill, Leila from @leila_sews’s bright and colourful cotton sateen and Mijke from @sewitcurly’s lovely lilac print. 

Find out what they all had to say about the pattern below and get inspired to make your own!

DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN NOW!

The Slow Life Sews 

Fabric Choice – Gingham by Lily Oake in Lightweight Cotton Twill

“Introducing my (probably) last make before baby — the Peppermint Bardon Dress.

I was very kindly gifted this lovely gingham cotton twill from Spoonflower. The pattern is free, as are all Peppermint patterns, and was designed by Elbe Textiles. It’s very easy to follow (even with my pregnancy brain) and I can’t wait to make the pocket skirt too!

This would be my perfect farmers market outfit, paired with an Adairs basket and my secondhand Avarcas Australia sandals, except I don’t think my feet would survive a walk around in these shoes right about now.

It felt so good to get back into sewing after a few weeks of getting settled into our new home and ready for baby’s arrival, where I didn’t have time to really sit down and tackle a new project. Yay for my first #2021make!”

Leila Sews 

Fabric Choice – Fractured Prisms by La Petite Lecour in Organic Cotton Sateen

Winterise your summer dresses!⁠

“I’ve been admiring all of the amazing Elbe Textiles x Peppermint Bardon Dress pics and feeling envious! So when Peppermint reached out to me to ask me to make it in Spoonflower fabric, I was delighted! ⁠

⁠The dress is a summer dress, but because it’s winter here, I’ve winterised it with a merino turtleneck and leggings. The turtleneck is a Muna and Broad fitted t-shirt (and turtleneck) pattern that’s ideal for layering or wearing alone. ⁠

⁠In keeping with my anti-racism pledge, I asked you all to help me find a wonderful Black surface designer. Because of this I was able to find the incredible Janine Lecour and chose this awesome design that Spoonflower printed on their organic cotton sateen. ⁠

⁠The pattern sewed up beautifully. I sized up one size and the only alteration I made was to add a little length to the front to compensate for my large bust. No other changes! The next time I make it (and there will be a next time), I think I will increase the number of gathers because I personally like a fuller gathering.” ⁠

Sew It Curly

Fabric Choice – Pale Lilac Flowers by Katie Kortman in Organic Cotton Sateen

“Loving this free pattern from Peppermint. I used to buy the mag when we lived in Australia, so when they asked me if I would like to make this dress with some Spoonflower fabric, I didn’t hesitate!

I picked out this stunning organic cotton sateen in a fabulous Katie Kortman art print. I love wearing Katie’s paintings. I’ve changed the pattern a little by shortening the bodice with 2cm, adding ties at the side seams and shortening the bottom tier by 10cm.

I styled in three different ways:

1 – Simple and ready for the beach.

2 – Dressed with heels and the ties wrapped around my waist.

3 – Fancy with a collar underneath and a belt.

Thank you so much!”

Pop over to spoonflower.com for more inspiration, then download the free pattern and make sure you tag #peppermintpatterns (and #peppermintbardondress) in your creations!