After the sewing marathon that was my Pastille dress, I needed something that was a lot more simple. I had planned to make Deer and Doe's Belladone dress next, but I couldn't face the potential fitting issues with the back just yet, so I went with By Hand London's Elisalex dress instead. I've had this pattern and fabric for a while, but with the summer weather being good, I knew I wouldn't wear this until the Autumn. And you know what, it's true what everybody says about this pattern, it really is easy peasy.
I did make life a bit easier for myself with fitting the front of the bodice though. I couldn't be bothered faffing about with a FBA, so I used the bodice from NL6723 (made here, here and here) which I had previously fitted, and sort of merged the two bodices in a very un-scientific, hap-hazard way. Some may call that cheating: I prefer to see it as utilising available resources.
Unfortunately I failed to realise that the Elisalex shoulders were wider, so mine is a little bit too wide on the shoulders. Also the curve on the back neckline needs pinched out a bit, you can see where it's curving out in the photo below. I'll fix the pattern before the next one (because there will be more!), but I can live with it on this.
I used 1.5 metres of this fabric which is 55% linen and 45% cotton from Backstitch, and it was £10.50 a metre. It's lovely fabric, and is about the same thickness and drape as 100% linen. It's a bit more drapey than I thought it would be, so the skirt doesn't sit out as much at the sides, but I think the pleats look lovely.
I lined the bodice with some white cotton lawn, and put some polka dot ribbon around the hem just because.
I'm loving my work on the invisible zip!
There weren't too many mods to this, which made Mr BB declare, "no stress, this dress!" There was just the aforementioned pattern mash on the bodice, and I also shortened it by 8 inches. Then I decided it was too long, and chopped another 2.5 inches off it.
That hidden zip is incredible! I love your polka dot ribbon and your funky spotty tights!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm pretty pleased with the zip too, and my tights are cheapy ones from ebay.
DeleteReally pretty dress, the colour and fabric really show off those pleats. It looks absolutely fabulous on you! I wasn't sure about the Elisalex (although I've made 2 Annas which I love) but I'm definitely adding it to my list after seeing yours!
ReplyDeleteThank you! This is such a great pattern. I'm nearly finished my first Anna, but I think I prefer Elisalex.
DeleteJust gorgeous, Lynne!! The pleats, the zipper, the stunning color. Everything! This will totally inspire me to get in gear and make one. I've been wanting to since the spring and never finished. Thanks so much for this no-stress dress.
ReplyDeleteShelley
Thank you! Good luck with finishing yours.
DeleteThis is so ridiculously gorgeous, Lynne! I love love LOVE that colour on you! x
ReplyDeleteThank you! What's not to love about purple, it's my favourite colour.
DeleteJust like everyobne else, I adore the colour! Very autumnal :)
ReplyDeleteI've never tried the Elisalex because I'm not sure the tulip skirt would do my backside any favours! I'm also putting off the Belladone dress for exactly the same reason as you!
Thank you! I wasn't sure about the tulip skirt either. I'm really small, and thought it might swamp me, but it turned out I was wrong!
DeleteGorgeous! I've yet to try any By Hand London patterns, just haven't got round to it - but this is a beauty. And that invisible zip...perfect! x
ReplyDeleteThank you! I also have the Charlotte skirt and Anna dress patterns, but this one is my favourite.
DeleteOh, it's just lovely! That colour is simply beautiful on you :) I've just bought this pattern, and now I'm even more impatient for it to arrive!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Hope you've got your pattern by now!
DeleteLynne it's adorable, what a perfect colour too. I have an Elisalex to cut out too....yours is yet another inspirational version!
ReplyDeleteThank you! My Anna was inspired by you! I'm hoping to get it finished this week.
DeleteBeautiful colour on you! I love your tights too!
ReplyDeleteThank you! My tights have the symbols from playing cards on them. I've only worn/washed them a couple of times, and I think the print is fading. :( But they only cost about £2 on ebay.
DeleteI'll second Fiona on the colour and your tights - love them both! And that invisible zip is perfect! That tulip skirt is such a flattering shape.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I really love the colour too, and I have enough fabric left over for a skirt.
DeleteThe dress looks amazing on you! And I am jealous about how invisible your zipper is, I really wish mine would look like that. Just perfect. And as everybody else I just have to say: perfect color choice! I usually stay away from plain fabrics, but sewing your dress and color combo I probably shouldn't.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think this is the first dress that I've made in a plain fabric, but it won't be the last!
DeleteLynne - your dress is so lovely! I have to admit that the Elisalex dress never really appealed to me because of the tulip skirt which can be hard to pull off - but it looks gorgeous on you! And magenta is my new current colour obsession since the season change, so this dress is even more perfect!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I wasn't sold on the skirt when the pattern first came out, but once I saw a few versions of it, I changed my mind.
DeleteLOVE your elisalex dress. So happy you made the tulip skirt as well, folks seem to keep shying away from it, but I find it really stylish. Great vibrant colour too. I am working on the Deer and Doe Belladone next as well, so we are going to have to compare note! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! Stylish is just the right word for the tulip skirt! Good luck with your Belladone, I'll look forward to seeing it.
DeleteI'm so tempted by this pattern - I'm trying very hard not to cave in and buy more patterns but it is very stylish. The colour of your fabric is very flattering. Top marks on tour super invisible zip :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I say buy it, you won't regret it! ;)
DeleteNew reader so I'm having to comment on absolutely everything. I love this dress (and the other versions you've made of it), the colour is amazing and I have tights-envy. I have the Elisalex pattern sitting at home and I haven't been brave enough to try it yet, but I might now.
ReplyDeleteHello! Thank you for your lovely comments! I loved those tights too, but they really faded in the wash. I got different playing cards from the Pamela Mann website - just sayin... ;)
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