Once is not customary, I wanted to give an overview of the beautiful patterns and beautiful fabrics that can be used to sew a festive outfit for us, the princesses of modern times.

First of all, I want to remind you that you don’t necessarily need a very experienced sewing level to make your outfit. Indeed, a simple pattern can be elevated by using a noble fabric, highlighting details, or playing with accessories. Everyone has in mind Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress enhanced by her pearl necklace or Marilyn Monroe’s white pleated fabric dress.

So don’t panic, we still have more than a month to sew our outfit and on top of that, we’ve made an amazing selection so you’ll be at your best on New Year’s Eve!

Alright, let's go! 

Choosing the fabric

Certain materials will give your creation a touch of refinement even for a pattern that seems very simple at first glance. Of course, you will need to consider the fabric choice guidelines for what you want to make, especially the type of fabric: warp and weft or knits. 

Once these checks are done, you can use noble fabrics such as:
- velvet (short pile, corduroy, wide ribs, glittery, patterned, moiré or devoré)
- the jacquard, glittery or not
- a cotton with patterns enhanced with gold like the Japanese
- a cotton satin, a Liberty fabrics, an ace lawn, a cotton lawn...
- a viscose lurex, with foil, plumetis...
- a light plumetis, an English embroidery, a voile...
- a stretch lace or not
- a sequined or plain tulle,
- a pleated fabric, 
- a fabric containing sequins, feathers, ...
- a faux fur... 
- a velvety jersey...

The choice of haberdashery

The fabric is done, but what about the choice of haberdashery? You already know my love for buttons, and finishing details (on the bias tape, adding braid...) So, why not be tempted by using piping, bias tape, woven braids, an inlay of lace on the back or neckline...

Here are some examples:
- highlight a pocket cut, a neckline, a button placket... with a contrasting piping, in lurex, in leather... 
- a pretty gold or lurex elastic to make a twirling skirt
- use a pretty bias tape (Liberty fabrics, contrasting, faux leather...) to edge a facing, finish a sleeve or a neckline with visible or hidden bias... 
- add scallops to the neckline, on the skirt edge... 
- add a fabric bow on the back, on the pockets, or a belt that will be sewn into the side seam... - add a ruffle to the sleeves, on the bodice 
- play with additions: an applique in lace on the shoulder, a braid along a sleeve...
- add a beautiful lace on the back or neckline...
- choose high-quality buttons in mother-of-pearl, wood, with glitter, or why not even covered buttons? 

The possibilities are endless as long as you have a bit of imagination and boldness.

The choice of designs and patterns

As I said earlier, you don’t necessarily have to be an experienced sewist to make your festive outfit! It’s more the combination of pattern and fabric paired with the finishing touches that will make all the difference. 

Our haberdashery has greatly expanded its pattern selection this year, and we picked those that caught our eye for a successful festive look. 

Of course, we will offer you dresses, but also jumpsuits/overalls and combinations to create pretty outfits. 

Models for beginner / resourceful beginner sewists

Let’s start with skirts; I have selected skirts with ruffles and pleats but with elastic waists to avoid the dreaded zipper step that beginners often fear!

The skirt Romy de Clématisse patterns is an elastic-waist skirt with ruffles available in sizes 34 to 52. I really like the proportions chosen for the ruffles, plus you can choose whether or not to add a front slit. A simple pattern that can be worn both in winter and as a short version for summer.  
In the same spirit and from another brand, find the Tahiti skirt from Bobines Patterns available in sizes 34 to 56. 

Finally, for those who love pleats, the skirt Yana de Lenaline Pattern (sizes 34 to 44) will delight you! I have added it to my wish list for a summer version in 2025. I think it’s a design that will also appeal to the teenagers around you. 

Regarding dresses, I have selected several from the Iam Patterns brand:
- the pretty Octarine wrap dress
- the gathered dress Sherazade
- the dress/top Cinderella
- the Cassiopée dress

These 4 dresses by Iam Patterns are all within beginners' reach.

The finishes are designed so that you have no trouble sewing them! 

Since these are relatively "simple" dresses, the choice of fabric will be crucial here but we will be here to advise you! 

For those who prefer the jumpsuit/overall version, I recommend the Valerie jumpsuit by Iam Patterns. It is rated as easy level and will be within your reach if you are a beginner. You will need to accessorize it with a jacket to go out because Valerie is sleeveless... but if you are going dancing, it will be simply perfect!

Finally, for those who prefer jersey. I have selected two models for you:
- the Vakita top and dress by Instinct Couture
- the wrap dress Hope by Nine Patterns de couture

I wrote an article about Vakita which can be sewn as a top or dress version, here is the link here to read the full article.

As for Hope, it’s a very pretty wrap dress with multiple options. I think Hope will be a very nice party dress but it can also be easily "recycled" for everyday life! Plus, Hope is available up to size 54! 

Models for intermediate sewers

For more experienced sewers, we will start to enter models that include a few more techniques: zipper, insertion of trims/piping, draping,... but don’t worry we have selected patterns where all the steps are well explained. 

In the skirts section, I chose for you at Maison Fauve, the Highland skirt which will make a big impression with its pretty ruffles! Highland is a former Maison Fauve model that has been updated in the new Nomade collection that just came out. I must say I find this skirt very feminine... no need for a wow-effect top; the skirt stands on its own (even if you do need to wear a top, of course...). 

But that’s not all because we have a bunch of beautiful skirts for the intermediate level and I really had to hold back!

At Coralie Bijasson, we offer you the Ayumi skirt with its pleat play, it is simply superb! If you like challenges, the dress version is rated expert and it’s also stunning! 

Finally, at Cha Coud, we recommend the Carole skirt with its version inlaid with embroidery trims, it will be super classy for the holidays. We offer lace trims here.

To pair with our beautiful skirts, I suggest some very nice tops to sew that will make an impact:

- Flume by Mimoï, a jersey blouse with a crossed drape on the chest. An original blouse that makes an impression for parties and will be perfectly "reusable" in everyday life!

- In the same spirit, knitwear version, we suggest sewing the Maya sweater or dress by Clématisse patterns. We love its puff sleeves and the button details on the cuffs. For the more adventurous, Maya comes as a dress with a front slit... just enough to reveal a little but not too much... a sexy dress for the holidays!  

You can also highlight a nice shirt under a vest... and for that, we suggest the Harryette model by Lot of things and the Nestor model by Coralie Bijasson.  

Not to forget the dresses, with the girls, we fell for the Calista by Clématisse patterns! What we love: the beautiful V-neckline, the waist shaping, the lovely skirt length (short or long depending on your mood), the option to add a slit and piping along the waistband. Plus, it’s very comfortable thanks to its elastic back; perfect for enjoying your meal without feeling restricted in your outfit.  

For those who love backless styles, we couldn’t skip the very pretty Ambra dress by Atelier Jumadi. This dress features stunning strap details on the back! 

Finally,

- at Coralie Bijasson, we have selected: Austin for its dancing style
- at Atelier des premières: Amandine for its asymmetry and Rachel for its puff sleeves
- from Cha Coud: Alix for its elegance (find the article here) and Olympe for its breathtaking open back
- from Atelier Bernie: Angela for its femininity (find the article here)

For those who prefer a jumpsuit, we’ve selected: Victoria, Amaya, Flora, and Aurore from Cha Coud.

And for those tempted by a pretty draped bodysuit, we offer you Grace from Atelier Bernie.

Models for advanced sewists or those looking for challenges! 

Let’s start with blouses and tops!

At Laeti and Lea, we offer you the pretty Myrtil blouse with its crossed and draped neckline, which looks great sewn in viscose and tencel! 

At Mimoï, we fell for the Roslyn blouse. Its pleat play, its pussy bow,... are assets for this magnificent blouse that looks great sewn in tencel or cotton satin! It pairs easily with a little short and tights (like the Steffi skirt-shorts from Clématisse patterns) or why not a mini skirt for a glam rock vibe! If you’re uncomfortable with pleats but still tempted by the pussy bow, why not try Bridget from Lot of things? 

There really is a lot of choice for dresses! 

I’ve selected several from different brands knowing that you’ll find many at Clématisse Patterns, Maison Fauve, Coralie Bijasson, and Mimoï. 

Special mention for the Diamant dress by Instinct Couture which has all the features of a party dress: ruffles, lace insets, you can add piping... it’s really a dress pattern you can play with and have fun with! 

For my part, I love Canopée by Mimoï, which I wrote about this summer and you can find here. By the way, at Mimoï, I also recommend: Sunset Lover, A la folie, Wishing Girl, Blue Monday
At Coralie Bijasson: Astéropée, Anatoline, and Aliocha, as well as the very pretty Anouck jumpsuit!

Models for Gentlemen

Of course, we couldn’t skip the shirt! So, we offer you several models that we really love:
- the Elegant shirt by Beaux Gosses. Plus, it is now available in sizes XS to 7XL! 
- the Salazar shirt from Lot of things available in sizes XS to 2XL
- the unisex Aimé shirt from Iam Patterns available in sizes 34 to 52

I hope this little selection has given you some ideas... in any case, the girls and I have plenty of ideas! 

So, ready to get started?

Get your needles ready!