In December, I received my first magazine of the year 2021 from La Maison Victor (January/February edition). I immediately fell for several models including the Elle dress.
The Elle dress is a fitted shirt dress as I like them; which allows highlighting the waist. Moreover, I found that its play of darts front and back was very original compared to what models are currently available. It really made me want to prioritize it in my sewing wish list.
In addition, I had just received in the shop beautiful poplins including the poppy on a purple background (which is my favorite); it was exactly the right combination to make me a dress with vintage accents.
The pattern of the dress is available in the magazine and goes from size 34 to 56. The most important measurement to consider when choosing your dress size is the waist circumference because this dress is very fitted at that point.
It will fit measurements between:
- 84 and 140cm for the bust circumference
- 66 and 120.5cm for the waist circumference
- 92 and 146cm for the hip circumference
You can also mix different sizes (for the top and bottom of the dress) by tracing the pattern, in order to adapt it to your measurements.
For my part, I cut it in size 34.
The difficulty level of the dress is ranked as two in the Maison Victor chart, which corresponds to "requires a bit of effort". I find that it could rather be ranked as 2.5 :-) because it requires quite a bit of technical skill:
- sewing of shaping darts (4 front and 4 back)
- assembly of the pockets to the side of the dress
- sleeve assembly
- collar assembly (without collar stand)
- assembly of the facing
- making hems
- creating buttonholes and sewing on buttons.
For my part, I made a few modifications to the base pattern.
As for the pattern itself, I lengthened the back darts upwards because it was too loose. It was expected that the back would gape due to my small height of 153cm; I could have made adjustments from the start but I knew I could adjust the back volume in the darts, and in the end it gives a result that I really like.
I also decided to cut the collar and the facing from a scrap of white fabric (left over from a shirt) instead of cutting everything from the same fabric. I thought a small white collar would give a retro chic effect. Plus, the white really matched well with the floral pattern.
Another modification made compared to the original model is that I did not sew the second part of the sleeve that allows for long sleeves. I thought the short sleeves directly on the bodice gave a retro vintage charm to my dress. So I had to find a finish for the short sleeves; and I chose to finish them with a hidden white bias tape made of 100% cotton which is available in my shop. It finishes the sleeve nicely and, moreover, this bias finish gives it a bit more structure and support; which also contributes to the retro look.
Finally, I wanted top-notch finishes, so instead of finishing the inner facing with overlocking, I edged the whole of it with a bias tape. I used the same bias tape as for the sleeves.
I chose pearl-shaped buttons from my shop to close my pretty dress and complete the look!
I am really satisfied with my creation and I know I will wear it with pleasure when it gets a little warmer.
