Pattern Review: Elisa-lotte Dress [By Hand London]

Pattern: Elisalex Dress and Charlotte Skirt combo from By Hand London
Fabric: stretch cotton from Metro Textiles
Size: Bodice – US 6; Skirt – US 8

Originally, I planned on making the new Georgia Dress by the BHL ladies for vacation, but I got a bad cold one week and it completely fouled up my vacation sewing plans.  I knew the Georgia Dress was going to require a bit of time to fit, and time wasn’t on my side, so instead I turned to a dress pattern I’ve been clinging to for awhile: the Elisalex Dress.  I knew the simple princess seam bodice would be easy to fit, and it was!

I cut out the lining first and used it for a test fit to see if I would need to make any fit adjustments.  At first, I thought the 6 would be fine since the bodice would hit above my waist.  When I pinned the bodice shut in the back, (do you know how hard that is to do on yourself??) I could tell I needed some more room and graded out the last two inches of the bodice to a size 8, which corresponded with the skirt that would attach.

The skirt attached perfectly to the bodice.  I didn’t bother moving the darts to align with the princess seams because of the busy print, but I would consider it if I used a solid fabric or smaller print.  What I found to be interesting about making the skirt this time, and I’ve made quite a few already, is that I had to take the sides in quite a bit!  I’m not sure if it had to do with the fact that the fabric I used had some stretch in it, but when I tried the dress on once it was sewn to the bodice, it wasn’t nearly as fitted as I wanted.  To get it to fit, I took off roughly the equivalent of the seam allowances.  Weird, huh?

Also reflecting back on the skirt, I think I should redraft the darts on subsequent garments – maybe take them in a little more.  The skirt is designed for a gal with more hips than me, so there’s a good amount of room in the pelvis that I should try to get rid of.  However, it is helpful for eating big meals, like the dinner I had wearing this dress at the Hard Rock Cafe!

The back is my favorite part!  The scoop adds a little bit of “back interest” to this somewhat demure sheath dress.  I made sure to understitch the neckline and underarm of the bodice to keep the lining from rolling out, instead of topstitching as the pattern suggests.

Obligatory high fashion pose!  You know how those models hunch and round their backs for those designer photo shoots, hahahaha.  Anyway, I feel so chic in this dress, and can’t wait to wear it more this spring and summer.

By Hand London gals, a big kiss from me to you!  Keep those fantastic patterns coming.