Elisalot Pokadot Dress @ByHandlondon

Pattern: By Hand London Elisalex bodice and Charlotte skirt. Such an awesome combination affectionally named Elisalot. Have you seen my previous version of the Elisalex and Charlotte skirt?

Level: The dress requires skill to sew a curve and the skirt, darts. I think both are very easy and well explained patterns.  A confident beginner could easily attempt. 

Fabric:Black & Ivory Oval Print Viscose. The fabric was initially intended for pokadot frock fest and missed the deadline of sewing the NL pattern, but this count, doesn't? The fabric is very soft and delightful. The 'dots' are all of uneven sizes and I tried to used them to emphasise/ disguise some areas. Not sure how successful this was. I wished I had seen where the double darts would met the princess seam before I cut the fabric. 

Size and alterations: I had to transform those patterns from woven to 'knitable'. I used my altered pattern and reduced the side seams. I'm not sure if I mention it already, but when I alter a pattern I remove the seam allowance. When cutting fabric I use "seam allowance guide". I will write a bit more on this subject soon. Oh, have you notice I change to a size 10? I lost a bit over a stone (6.7 kilos) on the Dukan diet.  The skirt is tapered which I released to avoid an overly tight shape. The dress was sexy enough. That's another reason I left the length over the knee.

Details and Notions: Invisible elastic on the shoulders, stretch bias and stretch thread a.k.a metler seraflock stretch elasticated sewing thread. Minerva Craft sent me to use with the knit bias binding (used on the Tiramisu) and the pokadot fabric. It's quite interesting product. I can see the difference structure on the fabric and I'm hoping that will improve durability of the seams. This garment will be machined washed very often and knowing this thread won't shrink gives me piece of mind. I used stretch bias to stabilise the neckline, and rolled over, then sewn on top to remain invisible. It makes very tidy inside. I love a stable neckline. 

Time to complete: One sunday morning.

First worn: I was planning to wear when HRH & I go to the pub. For those that don't follow me on instagram, every weekend normally on sunday, me and my other half would go to the pub for a few hours  and I take a project (pub #embroidery) to sew while we are there.This dress was a bit too dressy and I left it to make it's official debut on Sewing Directory Exeter meeting in march.

Year: Modern

Will you make it again? Yes, while I was making this dress I got another cool modification idea for the Elisalex dress. I love when it happens.

Conclusion: This sexy number turned out Va va voom. My favourite projects are the ones that are not only fun and easy to sew but comfortable and chic. This tick all those boxes.

Photo shoot camera:Olympus D 475+ Gorilla tripod.

♫:Ed Sheeran The City