Alix has long been one of my favorite dress models among all the patterns we offer in the shop. 

By the way, it was featured in the article the top 10 of my favorite dresses for summer.

To be honest, I was a bit tired of sewing it by proxy with my students in courses. 

So, when my student Olga finished her beautiful Alix dress in washed linen; I thought it was time for me to have a pretty version of this superb dress that flatters all body shapes! 

So, I set off on a sewing adventure and I invite you to discover my two versions of Alix from the beautiful patterns by the brand Cha Coud!

Let's go!

Model

Alix is a beautiful feminine dress. It is long and fitted at the bodice thanks to a defined waistband, with a lovely fullness in the skirt. It is a very clever design because it looks like a wrap dress with a surplice neckline, while also featuring a slit (opened very high) closed by a button placket on the side of the skirt; which is not possible in classic wrap dresses. 

The designer's trick also lightens the skirt by removing the double layer. The top of the shoulders is covered by a small godet ruffle, which elegantly finishes the beautiful silhouette of the outfit. It may not be obvious in the photos, but the bodice, waistband, and shoulder ruffles are lined, giving the garment a beautiful finish both inside and out.

Moreover, it is quite easy to modify:
- by removing the ruffles for those who would like an off-shoulder version
- by shortening it for a top or shorter dress version
- by closing the slit more, in which case just add a few buttons
- ...

Practical information for sewing the model 

Alix is offered from size 34 to 52 in printed or pdf format on our website or directly in store.

Seam allowances are included and drawn in the pattern. This is uncommon and a bit confusing at first, but it proves really practical if you need to grade precisely between several sizes. And last but not least: in pdf, the pages join edge to edge, no need to cut the print margins. 

The indicated difficulty is "intermediate." I agree with this information because this dress includes several interesting technical points. That said, a motivated beginner can also start sewing Alix, taking their time and doing tests or being accompanied by a teacher in courses.  

In the seamstress's basket

Alix should be made from a lightweight to medium weight woven fabric, for example: a cotton voile, a cotton poplin, a cotton lawn, an eyelet embroidery, a cotton satin, a poplin or a viscose twill, a pretty lyocell/tencel or even a washed linen or a linen/viscose blend.

The model worn by Charlotte is linen. 

Depending on the fabrics chosen, you can really play with different effects: fluttery or heavier... 

To make Alix, you will need:
- 2.5m of fabric with a width of 1.40m and 3m for sizes from 42 upwards. Note that Charlotte suggests using fabric with a width of 140 up to size 42 and 150cm after that, or you will need to slightly reduce the skirt's fullness.
- 50 cm of lining with a width of 1.40m for the bodice.
- 4 buttons of 25mm diameter or smaller if desired
- 1 shirt button to secure the bodice underneath
- fusible straight grain tape
- fusible interfacing for the button placket
- Matching thread to the fabric
- Matching cones if you use the serger.

To make your sewing equipment easier, I recommend you get:
- a tailor's chalk to mark the chest clips
- a buttonhole ruler to have perfect spacing
- a buttonhole opener

My versions

Having made Alix several times with my students, I knew a bodice toile would be necessary to get perfect adjustments for the bust.

A wrap bodice must be well fitted: too small and the chest is constricted, too large and the neckline gaps; in both cases, you feel uncomfortable in your sewing!

So I decided to make a "wearable" toile from a leftover fabric of a 3m coupon I had left and in which I had also made a Cha Coud pattern: the pretty Paula shirt!

Without hesitation, I sewed a size 36 reducing the skirt to create a small peplum. 

After this wearable toile, I made adjustments and chose to reduce 1cm at the side to better correspond to a size 34. 

Size 36 fits me but I find it not fitted enough to define my waist and the bust does not support my chest enough. This also means that Alix has ease; if you are between two sizes, you can size down for a fitted version or size up for a more comfortable or at least less fitted version. 

For my final version, I chose a beautiful cotton/viscose blend popeline that caught my eye from the moment it arrived in the shop. The advantage of this blend is that the viscose adds fluidity to the fabric while the cotton gives it structure for sewing. 

It is therefore as easy to sew as cotton popeline! 

A real joy! 

My supplies

For the top version
I took my leftover 3m coupon of cotton popeline, navy blue thread, H200 fusible interfacing, fusible straight grain support, blue serger cones, red buttons from my stash. 

For the dress version
I took 2.5m of cotton/viscose poppy popeline fabric on a navy blue background, and 1m of navy blue popeline fabric to make the ruffles, the belt, and the bust lining, navy blue thread, H200 fusible interfacing, fusible straight grain support, pink serger cones, buttons. 

Technical points 

Alix has quite a few interesting technical points:
- bust clip
- making the outer bodices and lining with sleevelet assembly in sheath,
- making the button plackets on the skirts
- sewing the asymmetrical skirt waistband
- making the buttonholes
- a hem.

Nothing insurmountable but a nice challenge with very beautiful finishes! 

My sewing experience

I closely followed Charlotte's assembly instructions which are concise and precise, and I love that in assembly guides: clear and effective instructions! 

I made sure to cut the pieces on the right side of the fabric as Charlotte requests because the dress is asymmetrical for the skirts; if you cut on the wrong side, the slit will be on the other side of the dress and the belts will be reversed... Consider yourself warned! 

All the steps are well detailed and clear with diagrams. 

I find it super easy to assemble.

I didn't time myself for the toile but I did for the dress. 

I took 1h for cutting

For assembling the dress 5h

Total: 6 hours of work for a top dress; it's worth it! 

I love my Alix dress but also my little blouse! 

I feel beautiful and feminine in this dress whose skirt has a lovely fullness. 

I really want to make a second version in linen like Charlotte! 

And you, do you like it?

Find all of Charlotte's patterns from Cha Coud here.

And for those who would like to come sew it at the workshop with us, we have scheduled a special fitted dress course, let's go check out the program here. 

All that's left to do!

Get your needles ready!