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We have a new sewing pattern! Please say hello to the Anna Dress

Soooo, you may have seen the totally-revealing-not-so-sneaky-peek photo we put up on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram just yesterday (thank you so much for all the kind words, retweets and likes guys - you know who you are!)... Well, she's here for real now! We're talking about the newest addition to our By Hand London girl gang, the Anna Dress.

Intended for beginners, this is an effortless Summer dress featuring double pleats at the bust, kimono sleeves and a panelled a-line skirt. Variations include both slash and v-neck options, plus midi and maxi skirt possibilities and a dramatic thigh high split. Super quick and simple to make, cut it short for the perfect festival dress, or make it worthy of the red carpet with a maxi skirt and thigh high split.

The dress has three variations:

1. Slash neck and maxi skirt with thigh high split

By Hand London Anna Dress Variation 1

2. V-neck and maxi skirt 

By Hand London Anna Dress - Variation 2

3. Slash neck and midi skirt

By Hand London Anna Dress - Variation 3

The Anna Dress is named after and inspired by our friend Anna Walker. She has actually been onboard since the start, as the crazy talent who does all of the fashion illustrations on our packaging - only this time she had the odd challenge of drawing herself! Aside from illustrating for us, most of the time she works at Liberty (*swoon*) and some of the time she works at her very own leather accessories label (get it now, it's gonna be big!). Here's a little more about her:

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'A suburban London girl, with roots in Canada and India, Anna charms everyone she meets. Softly spoken and thoughtful, Anna has her head screwed on completely right, and above all values time with her friends, her family and her man. One of the first things you notice about Anna is her impeccable taste. Having studied as a fashion designer and worked as a stylist, she loves fashion, but sees it through an artful prism. A natural aesthete, her blog is full of quiet images of long hair, dreamy blurred detail and moody landscapes. She is never obvious, pairing a traditional feminine shape with a big clumpy black shoe and intricate gold rings. Excited about life and naturally curious she is always trying to learn new things. Which may explain why she manages to be a fashion illustrator, work as visual merchandiser for a big London department store and oh yes, has also set up her own leather accessories label. Basically, she’s one of those infuriatingly talented people that seems to simply be good at whatever she touches! Couple this with some sweetness and brains and you’ve got someone we’re damn proud to have as part of the gang.'

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We don't (yet) have any profesh pix of the Anna Dress packaging, but here are some iPhone shots in the meantime, just to give you an idea:

By Hand London Anna Dress packaging 1

 

By Hand London Anna Dress packaging 2

 

Ummm, so whaddya think?? We really hope you like our latest addition and absolutely cannot WAIT to see some of your creations out in the wild!

x

Comments on this post (30)

  • Jul 18, 2013

    I want this! And when it comes to sewing patterns – I Get! https://www.facebook.com/SassySewingBees

    — Sassy T

  • Jul 16, 2013

    Well, it’s safe to say that you ladies have done it again! LOVE!!!

    I’m thinking the midi length with slash neckline, paired with some colourful tights and a cardi for the winter over here :)

    — Jennifer Lauren

  • Jul 13, 2013

    Cu-u-u-ute! Can’t wait to sew it up.

    — Cameron

  • Jul 13, 2013

    This is a really lovely dress – I think the midi version is jumping to the top of my queue!

    — Louise

  • Jul 12, 2013

    Thank YOU! Ooooh, that IS a mighty fine dress right thrrr. Is that the kind of silk you were thinking of using? Also, ‘eye banging’ – LOL! Consider it now added to By Hand daily vernacular.

    — byhandlondon

  • Jul 12, 2013

    Thank yoouuu! Do show us your creation once it’s all finished, we’d love to see it :)

    — byhandlondon

  • Jul 12, 2013

    Shivani, you raise an excellent point! Will get them added to the post this weekend. Thanks!

    — byhandlondon

  • Jul 12, 2013

    Thank you and yup, she really iiiiiis!

    — byhandlondon

  • Jul 12, 2013

    Hurrah and thank you! Proud to be your first maxi dress, dare we suggest you go whole hog and add in the thigh-high split as well…?

    — byhandlondon

  • Jul 11, 2013

    It’s so beautiful, coongratulations to you all. I can’t wait to be my hands on it

    — sewamysew

  • Jul 11, 2013

    I’ve come out of hiding just to say oh my good god it’s gorgeous. Simply gorgeous. And why are all you by London gals so gorgeous too? I’m swooning! Xxx

    — Joanne

  • Jul 11, 2013

    Ooooh, I REALLY love this one!!!! Would love to give this a whirl, post-pregnancy.

    Well done ladies, I’m sure you have a hit on your hands!

    Zoe xxx

    — Zoe

  • Jul 11, 2013

    Hello lover.

    hashtag. SWOON.

    — raven

  • Jul 10, 2013

    LOVE it.

    — Lizzy

  • Jul 10, 2013

    And I totally meant dye like turn a different color, probably red, or blue. I won’t actually die, that’d be silly.

    — Maeve

  • Jul 10, 2013

    I don’t feel like I need any new patterns, then you release this and it’s like I.HAVE.TO.HAVE.IT.NOW.OR.I.DYE. I can’t wait to get it and sew the short version with a slash neck. And a sheer maxi version, you know, after I finish my half done Victoria, Charlotte and Elisalex creations.

    — Maeve

  • Jul 10, 2013

    ahhh gorgeous!!!! is a line drawing available?

    — shivani

  • Jul 10, 2013

    HOT-NESS! And Anna sounds fabulous ;)

    — ZoSews (@ZoSews)

  • Jul 10, 2013

    Love maxi dresses. I think this is my favourite of your patterns so far!

    — verykerryberry

  • Jul 10, 2013

    I do not have a single maxi dress, as I never really thought they were me. BUT you’ve gone and converted me! I am absolutely in swoon some adoration of version one especially. LOVE LOVE LOVE it !!
    I think I’ll buy it to make for a friends birthday….and then I’ve got it for me too !! :-)

    — Scruffy badger

  • Jul 10, 2013

    Love it! Very versatile and cute!

    — Kacie

  • Jul 10, 2013

    ooee so so preeetty. I imagining all sorts of places to wear such a beauty. I love full maxi’s and could envisage this in a light summery printed fabric. & then theres the shorter version so perfect for a bbq, or office, or everything! thanks to Anna for being such a lovely inspiration.

    — Sarah Sew Love

  • Jul 09, 2013

    and suddenly, i know what mom & pop balloona are getting a kalkatroonaan for her birthday….

    — oonaballoona

  • Jul 09, 2013

    Fabulous new pattern!!! Just love it.

    — Kirsty

  • Jul 09, 2013

    Love it, especially the midi version. I ordered the pattern as soon as I saw the pictures, can’t wait to make it! x

    — Jane

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