H. has all three versions of the Oliver and S Ice Cream Dress. I’ve been wanting to make one for me for quite some time and was motivated to do so by the Ice Cream Social. Once again, I splurged on some Liberty of London fabric I have have my eye on for a bit. I love the fact that the Grey Sydenham Palace print is based on a map. My favorite part of the print are the tiny little trees scattered about.
For my Ice Cream Dress, I used the size 12 version of the pattern as my base and then made the following modifications: left off the bottom panel, lengthened the bodice, took in the sides to add a bit more shape, and left off the v at the neck. I originally wanted to add the pockets, but decided to leave them off at the last minute.
For the back, I used some leftover fabric and covered a button.
My husband prefers the dress without the belt, but I like it better with the belt. It is nice to have both options readily available. Which do you like better?
I tried both options on a recent hot hot day in Brooklyn: I started the day with the belt and quickly shed it.
If you have been wanting to try to make the Ice Cream Dress, there are wonderful tips and tutorials that are part of the Ice Cream Social, so be sure to check them out. What an inspiration it is to see all the great fabric combinations. It makes me want to make another one for H. How many Ice Cream Dresses can a gal have?
Night Knitter 
I think I like the version with the wide belt best, especially with leggings, but I can see how it would feel oppressive on a hot day.
This is amazing! I have been enjoying your blog and creations via the Oliver+S Flickr page. I have this same fabric, and I love what you have done with it. It pains me to cut up the Liberty, but this is the perfect way to preserve the amazing print. Great work!
I love the version without the belt the best and this is a great looking dress translated to an adult size. Fantastic!
This is so pretty! You look great in it with or without the belt, but I like it best without.
oh, your dress looks fantastic & I think I like it without a belt best.
i think I will have to try & make one of these for me too, but just to double check, did you alter the yolk piece at all?
LOVE LOVE this! Do you mind sharing what size you normally wear? I’m a size 4 dress and don’t know if the kids 12 would fit?? Beautiful work!
Hi Anne,
I am pretty petite and am almost too embarrassed to post publicly that I normally wear a 0 or 2. I didn’t have to make any adjustments to the yoke, but I think it is do-able. I would suggest tracing the pattern, making the needed adjustments, and then sewing a version using some muslin.
Burda Style has a tutorial here on how to make pattern adjustments: http://www.burdastyle.com/techniques/make-a-pattern-larger-or-smaller
Hope you try it out!
It’s gorgeous. I definitely prefer it without the belt.
I love the fabric that you’ve chosen. Off to look at the Ice-cream Social link for more inspiration.
Florence x
this is really so lovely! i have been eyeing that fabric for a while, too, and you did such an amazing job with it. it adds a little urban-ness to this dress and makes it feel more sophisticated.
may i ask why you left off the pockets? (thanks for the burda link, just what i need!)
Hi Cate,
I love pockets and had every intention of adding them to the dress, but I wanted the flexibility to be able to wear a belt with the dress. I felt the pockets wouldn’t look that great with a cinched waist. I think the bottom of the dress wouldn’t flow quite as nicely with the pockets and a belt.
If I was only planning to wear the dress without the belt, I would totally have added the pockets.
OMG, this is so cute!!
this is just awesome, great job. The fabric is super cool.
🙂