how to color block the gelato dress pattern
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Shelley, our regular contributor from Down Under, is back on the blog today with another fantastic creation. This time, she's showcasing a color-blocked dress she made using the Gelato Blouse and Dress pattern. Her photo-illustrated tutorial demonstrates how she achieved this stunning look, making it accessible for anyone looking to experiment with color blocking.
I must admit, I often find myself daydreaming after reading Liesl’s Weekend Links posts on the Oliver + S blog. While I may not always have the time or resources to bake that perfect pie or recreate those holiday decorations, when it comes to dresses, I take action! If I see a dress I love, I’m determined to make it happen.
The inspiration for Shelley’s dress came from a color-blocked design Liesl shared earlier in the summer. I immediately fell in love with the dress, and the Gelato pattern seemed like the perfect canvas to bring this vision to life.
To start, I made the Gelato blouse first to ensure the fit was just right. Initially, I wasn’t sure about the ruffles, but after trying it on, I discovered I absolutely adore this top. Made from a drapey rayon fabric, it’s both comfortable and chic—definitely not as frilly as I had anticipated. I ended up sizing down slightly to achieve a fitted look through the shoulders and bust, balancing out the looser silhouette below.
For the dress, I chose Tencel linen, a material I hadn’t worked with before. It’s a game-changer—it offers all the benefits of linen without the wrinkling and stiffness. The fabric shop had the white and rust brown shades in stock, and they even sourced the steel blue fabric specifically for me after seeing my inspiration photo.
Transforming the Gelato Dress pattern into this color-blocked masterpiece involved some straightforward pattern adjustments inspired by the techniques outlined in the Building Block Dress Book. First, I traced the front and back pieces flat instead of leaving them folded. This was easy to do since the back piece has a clearly marked center back line.
Next, I used the cutting line for the blouse as the dropped waist for the skirt at the back. On the front piece, I drew new cutting lines to create an off-center, above-the-waist apex where the three fabrics would meet. After labeling each piece carefully to avoid confusion, I chopped the pattern into individual sections.
When it came time to cut the fabric, I added a ½†seam allowance to all edges where the pattern had been divided. I also utilized the full width of the fabric and added some gathers to the skirt pieces, extending the side lines to create an ankle-length hem.
While the original inspiration dress featured a fuller skirt, the A-line shape of the Gelato Dress provided enough volume for my taste. Additionally, purchasing only one skirt length of the rust brown fabric dictated the final design.
Constructing the dress was relatively straightforward. Once the bodice pieces were assembled, I sewed the skirt’s side seams and gathered it to fit the bodice. To avoid a bloated appearance around my midsection, I kept the gathering away from the center front.
Liesl’s original inspiration post was shared at the beginning of the northern hemisphere summer. By the time I completed my version, the Australian summer was just around the corner, and I anticipate this dress will see plenty of wear.
Thank you, Shelley, for sharing your tutorial! Your work is always inspiring. How do you feel about color blocking? Are there other patterns you’d like to try this technique on?
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As a bonus, here’s a little more about my experience with color blocking:
One of the most rewarding aspects of sewing is experimenting with different techniques. Color blocking, in particular, allows you to play with colors and shapes in ways that can completely transform a garment. For instance, I’ve been eyeing the Archer shirt pattern for a future project. Imagine the possibilities with bold color blocks across the chest or sleeves!
What about you? Have you ever tried color blocking? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!