I had been following Johanna’s work from the Sew Love Patterns brand from afar for several years. I must say these dresses and jumpsuits caught my eye...
When Gaetan and I decided to offer PDF patterns on the site, I immediately thought of Johanna and her magnificent designs and I contacted her to join the partner pattern makers. I am delighted that she trusted us for this collaboration and that her beautiful patterns are available on our site.
You got it, I had no more excuses... I had to test the patterns! The choice was very difficult because I think I like all her patterns. In the end for the final choice, I had a trio: Chloé, Springe, and Mia... but when we cut the polka dot cotton jacquard at the workshop in 3m coupons, I immediately saw a Chloé dress!
In short, I’m telling you my sewing adventure in the language of Shakespeare because yes, Johanna is English and lives in London!
The pattern
The Chloé dress is a magnificent evening or summer dress, to sew in midi or mini version.
It can be made with or without a side slit on the skirt and offers beautiful fluidity in a slightly draped fabric, like viscose or tencel.
The mini dress falls above the knee and is a fun evening dress or a pretty summer creation.
The bodice of the dress is gathered at the center front, which highlights the neckline.
Both versions, midi and mini, offer two strap options: fixed sewn straps or straps to tie in a pretty bow.
If you like dresses with pockets, you can sew those too.
Chloé is stunning with pretty floral or polka dot patterns for summer or why not in a solid version to highlight the pleating of the neckline and the cutwork of the bodice.
For a winter outfit, opt for luxurious velvet or satin with a bodice with contrasting sequins for your festive evenings!
Information for sewing this pattern
Chloé is available in PDF format on our website.
Since Johanna is English-speaking, the pattern is only available in English... but the assembly guide is detailed (22 pages) with images and is very easily "translatable" with "Google Translate" for those who might have more difficulties.
Otherwise, don’t worry, I made a simplified assembly guide in French for you below.
Additionally, you can find our blog article on English terms which can really help you.
The sewing pattern can be printed at home on A4 or US Letter paper, or in A0 at the printer.There are no overlapping pieces so you can cut the pieces directly without having to trace them.
Note that seam allowances are included and are 1.5cm.
Chloé is available in UK sizes 6 to 20, which corresponds to 34/36 up to 48/50.
Johanna suggests an intermediate sewing level to sew this dress and I quite agree with her.
In the seamstress's basket
The Chloé dress is ideally sewn with medium-weight woven fabrics like poplin or viscose crepe, tencel, velvet, cotton or viscose satin, cottons (poplin, cotton lawn...).
For a twirling skirt, favor a fabric with a fluid drape like viscose or tencel, which will also create pretty gathers at the chest.
Fabrics with more body like cottons will give a more structured look to the dress, which is not unpleasant either.
To sew Chloé, you will need:
I would add that a threader guide is very useful for turning straps. For my part, I never part with it.
My supplies
I fell for a 3m coupon of red polka dot cotton jacquard when we received them, I immediately saw the Chloé pattern in it. According to the fabric yardage chart, I needed 1.7m for the "mini dress without pockets".
Since my voile is a bit transparent, I added a lining to the skirt because the dress is normally lined only at the chest and upper back.
So I added 60cm to the lining fabric requirement.
I also decided not to make a pocket because it would have "weighed down" and pulled on my lightweight cotton voile. I didn’t want it to create "a grimace" on my hips.
Finally, I chose a 40cm invisible red zip that is attached to the back of the dress.
I will add one meter of calico to make at least a toile of the bust.
My sewing experience
I chose to make a toile of the dress because:
- it was the first time I sewed the Sew Love Patterns brand
- I wanted the bustier to be well fitted to my measurements, and well shaped at the bust.
I sewed a toile in size UK10 which was the recommended size for my measurements in the proposed size chart.
I was right to make the toile. The front bustier is perfect but I had to take in about 4cm at the back only for the bust, the skirt was perfect for my hip circumference.
I think this is due to the fact that I have a small back width and my hip circumference is generous. So, I am more of a UK10 for the bottom and UK6/8 for the top 😂... I’ll keep that in mind for when I make the springe and the mia because I haven’t said my last word 😂.
With the corrections made, I was able to tackle the final version for which I encountered no difficulty because the explanations are perfect.
I couldn't help but try it on along the way and tell myself at each fitting that it was going to be amazing 😂.
Technical stitches and simplified assembly sequence in French
I have prepared a simplified assembly sequence in French which should be compared with the diagrams in the explanatory guide.
1. Cutting plan - cutting the pieces cf. pattern
2. fuse the pieces no. 4 and 7 with lining - page 10
3. Sew the straps right sides together. Turn them right side out. - page 10
4. Sew right sides together the small central piece of the bustier no. 5 that hides the gathers seam, trim the seam allowance, turn right side out and press flat - page 10
5. Sew the darts of piece no. 4 in lining. Sew the two pieces together at the middle front and add piece no. 7 at the sides - page 11
6. Make gathers in the middle front of pieces no. 4 in outer fabric so that the pieces are 9cm high. Sew them right sides together - page 11
7. Place the central piece (the front ring) of the bodice no. 5 on the right side of the assembled bodice and secure (top and bottom) the piece above the gathers - page 12
8. Assemble the three lower front bodice pieces no. 2 and 3 then attach them to the top of the bodice - page 12
9. Assemble the back pieces no. 7, 8, and 9 see diagram - page 12
10 Assemble all the front and back bodice pieces at the sides - page 13
11. Place the straps and attach them at the indicated spots on the front and back pieces - page 13
12. Close the darts of the skirt and assemble the panels together - pages 14 and 15
Be careful, now is the time to put in the pockets or decide not to, then close the sides of the skirt.
13. Assemble the bodice to its skirt - page 18
14. Close the bottom of the skirt up to the bottom of the zipper, and sew the zipper at the top of the bodice - page 18
15. Attach the bust lining at the top of the bodice right sides together, turn, press, and secure - page 20
16. Make the hem
Ta-da, all that's left is to try it on
The technical stitches are within reach of an intermediate sewer.
No doubt about it, I feel beautiful in this dress which will be perfect for this summer.
I am also delighted that Johanna sized this dress from 36 to 50 because sleeveless summer dresses are often sized only up to 42/44.
And even if some think that little dresses are for small sizes... I say we do what we want especially when it's hot in summer 😂... Down with complexes and badmouthing!
I find that this model can be worn both during the day when it's hot, for a dinner with your lover, or even for a wedding ceremony (we could see the bridesmaids' dresses in this dress). You can give it a casual look or a more luxurious one depending on the materials used.
You got it, I'm won over by the result but also more generally by the brand because the instructions, although in English, are very easy to understand thanks to the many clear diagrams. Don't hesitate to give it a try, English shouldn't be a barrier to discovering this very feminine brand.
All I have left is to find the fabric for my next Mia and Springe 😂
Oh my, my sewing list just keeps getting longer!
I'll let you discover all Johanna's patterns here
And then, all that's left to do!
Get your needles ready!
