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The By Hook or By Crook Elisalex dress

Wednesday, May 15

Right, ever since I became aware of the Elisalex dress pattern, I knew I had to have it. I am one of those people whose body proportions are, quite frankly, annoying. At my most annoying, I was a 34 bust, 30 waist, and a 44 at the hips. Try buying a RTW dress with those proportions, and you will understand why I started sewing. In RTW parlance, I am currently a 14 at the top, and an 18 at the bottom, for fitted garments. No kidding!


Unfortunately for me, the pattern was launched when I was very low in sewing funk, so I bought the pattern, and forgot about it. Then Rachel made hers, and suddenly, completed projects started popping round the blogosphere.  It was not until Rachel's epic meet-up, and after having a nice chat with Charlotte of By Hand London, that I decided to really make the dress. For inspiration, and moral support, I went to Roisin's blog. She makes sewing the Elisalex dress look really easy. The pictures are abit dodgy because Mr.Dibs was having a really grumpy moment as we were running late for work. What is a little bit of lateness when I had to take pictures of my new dress I ask you? Plenty apparently, because Mr.Dibs was not impressed when I whipped out my camera. We did get to the station on time though, so alls well that ends well.




I did a muslin, which many of you thought deserved its own share of sunshine, so I shall be finishing that one soonest. Post muslin, I decided to use a stretch cotton I bought from Goldhawk road 2 years ago. I have loved this fabric for a long time, and my mom even went on her knees for it. I refused of course. Has your mother ever coveted your fabric so much that she had to beg you for it on her knees? My reply was an emphatic "NO", and I did not even feel guilty.


My dress was well and truly on its way, BUT, as fate would have it, my machine broke down. Yes, my faithful Pfaff, went crazy. I don't know if it is something I did, or something I have not been doing, but she, Faffi, would not work. Her bobbin thread kept tangling, and she would not feed fabric through. So I cleaned her, and dusted her, and begged her, but no, she thought I had neglected her for too long, and she wanted to see other people. Fair enough, I plan on taking her to my local sewing machine repair man this weekend. In the meantime though, I had a dress to finish, and a bridesmaid dress to make for my cousin's impending wedding, 2 weeks from now.


So I did what any self-respecting woman would do. I went looking for a new machine. That in its self, is a whole new story, which I shall write about in the next post, but know that I now have 3 machines in my house, with two having bought between Monday and Tuesday. Crazy times people, crazy times, and desperate times call for desperate measures. I was determined tohave that Elisalex dress by hook or by crook.




I finally finished the dress last night. Somehow, while trying it on, I got the front at the back, and decided I like the look. What do you think? Wearing it back to front? Oh yeah baby! Even Mr.Dibs likes it, so there.

I also decided to put some lace trimming at the neckline. You like?




I really like this dress. I have lost some weight since I last made the muslin, because this version feels a bit big on me, especially around the waist and the bust. So yay! to 1 hour dancing sessions.


Charlotte, if you and your crew at By Hand London are reading this, THANK YOU for a lovely pattern. It was beautifully drafted. I might have to try the Charlotte skirt next.

28 comments:

  1. That's so creative... Fabric choice it's awesome too darling.. 3 machines? Do tell us more

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  2. Looks cute backwards:)

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  3. Dibs! This is GORGEOUS! It looks so great on you! I absolutely love it back to front, with the metal zip, the lace around the neckline and that beautiful fabric?! Perfect!

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  4. Such a pretty dress and looks great backwards too!

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  5. I love that you got your dress backwards :) I thought that was creative design!! Looks fabulous.

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  6. I didn't realise it was backwards either. Looks great, I'd have begged for that fabric too!

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  7. Dibs, this is frigging gorgeous - I love how it looks back-to-front! What a great, accidental discovery! I also remember that fabric well, you bought it on my first ever blogger meet up...such fun it was too!

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  8. I love it! You're inspiring me to try that pattern.

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  9. Beautiful! That is definitely a fabric worth begging for.

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  10. its beautiful Dibs. , Great job

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  11. that's a great dress! if you hadn't said it was on backwards, I would never have known!

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  12. Beautiful dress and your makeup is absolute perfection! TFS

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  13. I love it Dibs and I didn't even notice it was being worn backwards, well done you!!

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  15. I have very similar body proportions and have comparable issues with RTW. I'm new to your space, and I've been looking at all the gorgeous things you've sewn for yourself. Amazing!

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  16. Your dress is gorgeous!! I LOVE the fabric! And I shall look forward to reading about your two new machines!

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  17. Nice dress ! Love the zip in the front option :) really looking forward to read your adventures on sewing machine hunt (and how you harvested 2 machines instead of 1....).

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  18. What a fantastic dress! The colours are amazing and I love that you are wearing it back to front. You can't tell, it looks like you intended the zip to be at the front. The lace trim is amazing too.

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  19. I did't realise it was back to front at first either, I think I prefer it that way. You look fantastic. 3 Machines?

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  20. Looking beautiful! Love the zip front!
    Px

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  21. I love your additions to it. And the bodice backwards? Heck yeah. Looks awesome!

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  22. That fabric is delish- well done staying strong when your mother begged- I would have given in ;)

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  23. I LOVE this! It looks super cool with the zipper and scoopy neckline in the front! Well done!!

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  24. Your Elisalex looks fantastic. Love the zipper on the front.

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  25. Oh that looks so cute. The exposed zip against the print is an edgy contrast.

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  26. Oh I love and adore your version! It's a stunner! Just discovered your blog and deffobobs putting you straight into my Feedly! :0)

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  27. The zip detail looks brilliant and the black lace trim gives your flowery patterned fabric more of a rock edge. Nice work there Dibs!

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