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Tasha Could Make That

Tasha Could Make That

Vintage knitting, sewing, and a lifetime of craftiness

An Elisalex with feathers

August 26, 2014 by Tasha 44 Comments

I am sorely behind in posting about things I’ve sewn this summer. So much so that I may not even blog about it all—you might just have to see it show up in outfits at some point! And right now, my sewing machine is having issues so I’m going to have to take it in to get repaired. No sewing for me for awhile.

So let’s backup to a month ago when I finished this dress! This is my first Elisalex dress from By Hand London.

Elisalex with feathers

I bought this and the Anna pattern several months ago and can I just say, best thing evaaah to get a personalized note with your order from the By Hand London ladies. What, me gush??

note

Now I wasn’t really sure what size to sew, since my bust was a US 6 and waist was a US 4. I opted to follow the sew-along advice of Elisalex herself, who sewed a US 4 and did a full-bust adjustment. That’s exactly what I did, and it worked great! The ease in the princess seams at the bust was a bit of a beast to deal with, but it worked. In the end I could probably take the side seams in just a touch or possibly go down an entire size, but it’s comfortable without feeling restrictive.

elisalex-feathers2

I did two muslins of the bodice. The first was with the FBA and a narrow shoulder adjustment (and trying out a v-neck in the front that I didn’t end up liking).

I knew from the wide neckline and lots of Elisalex photos online that the straps would probably fall off my shoulders, so a narrow shoulder adjustment was in store. But because the straps were so thin, I narrowed the pattern piece on the sleeve side, but then added back the width on the neckline side. I’m really pleased with how that solution worked.

elisalex-feathers3

Plus, it meant the straps weren’t too skinny to pull the bodice lining through, which I think might have been a concern otherwise. I went with lime green voile for the lining. It really is whoa mama bright! I did intend to top stitch the neckline but thought about it too long and by that point my machine was out of commission. So eventually I’ll get to it.

Elisalex lining

In the back, I wanted a little more coverage than the original deep v-neck, so using the Craftsy class for altering necklines, I raised it a bit. The back was gaping in the first muslin, so that’s why I did a second one. I sliced the back piece about halfway down the neck at an angle towards the lower part of the armhole, overlapped about an inch, and rotated it out at the armhole (which barely changed the armhole at all, probably not even 1/8″). I could probably still remove more as I feel it gaps a bit as I move.

elisalex-feathers4

I did a centered back zipper and may I add, I’m so proud of how it looks at the top. Finally got it perfect! If only I could actually tuck the pull into the laps without assistance. Or decide if I like side lapped of center back zippers better. I’ll probably keep flip flopping back and forth.

Elisalex

So let’s talk about that fabric for a second, you’re dying to know more, right? I randomly encountered some project online at one point that used a different color scheme of the same fabric, and I pined to Rochelle about it. She managed to track down what it was, Feathers by Martha Negley, and I found some at Pacific Fabrics. Huzzah!

The print feels very summery but I could easily transition this one to fall with the right accessories and layers. I’m thinking about that a lot right now, of course!

feathers-bodice

Sven Clogs and Elisalex dress

I nixed the tulip skirt from the pattern because let’s face it, can you see me wearing a tulip skirt? Nope. I was going to go with my preferred gathered skirt but took a page from Roisin‘s book and used the skirt from Simplicity 2444, which is pleated. It’s fine… in the end, I don’t love it but don’t hate it. I think pleats are kind of more trouble to me than they’re worth. (As was lining up the pleats with the princess seams in the front… too busy, so you totally can’t tell.) I would have tried a half circle but didn’t have enough fabric.

This skirt definitely called for a petticoat underneath, something I don’t frequently do! But it really makes the skirt look its best.

elisalex-feathers5

And hey, I had fun with it, while Mel took photos of me being a jackass. You’re welcome.

petticoat

They probably wouldn’t have let me into the Moulin Rouge, huh?

Oh by the way, someone asked me in a previous post about my lipstick, and I forgot to answer! Lately I’ve been wearing Besame Cosmetics (a great vintage-inspired brand if you’re not already familiar) lipstick in Carmine nearly exclusively. It’s a very orangey red which appears a bit more red in most photos, but I think you can see the truer shade in this somewhat bitchyface photo below. I bought this color ages ago and I was meh about it until I dyed my hair red. Now I love it!

Besame lipstick in Carmine

Anyway, I really like this dress, and was actually in the middle of a second Elisalex when my sewing machine started having issues. So expect another one at some point soon in a lovely organic cotton I picked up by Birch Fabrics. In the meantime, I’ll be knitting! (And laying in the grass, apparently.)

grass2

outfit details

dress – made by me
petticoat – Dawn’s Attelier
necklace – Luxulite
Bakelite earrings and bangles – misc.
shoes – courtesy of Sven Clogs

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Filed Under: Sewing, Vintage Wardrobe Tagged With: byhandlondon, clogs, dresses, finished projects

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jeanine says

    August 26, 2014 at 11:52 am

    Gads, it’s fantastic! Seems to fit you really well, and that blue color goes delightfully with your hair! Love the addition of the petticoat. Keep on keepin’ on, girl! You rock!!!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      August 26, 2014 at 1:53 pm

      Aww, thanks Jeanine!

      Reply
  2. Laura says

    August 26, 2014 at 12:11 pm

    I have this fabric in my stash! I forgot how lovely I think this palette will work for late summer/fall. Thanks always for the inspiration..

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      August 26, 2014 at 1:52 pm

      Ooh, I hope you do something fun with it!

      Reply
  3. Carla says

    August 26, 2014 at 12:17 pm

    Oh my goodness, it looks so fantastic! I love that blue on you. I hope your machine gets fixed soon, but I can’t wait to see what fun knitting projects you create while you wait.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      August 26, 2014 at 1:52 pm

      Thanks, Carla! I like the blue a lot, too!

      Reply
  4. Ginger says

    August 26, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    Ooh, what a sassy dress! This looks awesome on you!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      August 26, 2014 at 1:51 pm

      Thanks! It does feel pretty sassy. 😀

      Reply
  5. Cherry Darling says

    August 26, 2014 at 12:28 pm

    All your dresses are just mind blowing amazing. I can’t believe how talented you are. Such a great inspiration. Especially for those of us who don’t sew more than the occasional hem and basic circle skirts. I’m sorry that your machine is on the fritz, but I’m totally looking forward to more of your knitting posts as I am an avid knitter. Thank you for your posts, you really are an inspiring woman.

    Knitting in Pearls

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      August 26, 2014 at 1:51 pm

      Thanks, Cherry! 🙂

      Reply
  6. zilredloh says

    August 26, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    I’ve always held off on purchasing this dress since I can’t stand the skirt. I do like your pleated one, even if you’ don’t care for it. Sorry to hear about your machine. Mine is at the beginning of needing to go for a tune-up, I fear.

    Yes! I looove Besame lipstick. It stays on forever, even after eating (non greasy foods). I only have the one coral color at the moment, so I need to get more.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      August 26, 2014 at 1:50 pm

      I love it too! I prefer matte lipsticks but my I’ve always found my two favorite MAC lipsticks to just be overly drying and they get all crumbly after several hours.

      Reply
      • zilredloh says

        August 27, 2014 at 10:27 am

        Yeah, my Mac bright red lipsticks seem to make my lips peel at the end of the day. The creme ones don’t do that for me for luckily – but they last for a much shorter period of time.

        Reply
  7. Angela says

    August 26, 2014 at 1:43 pm

    I *could* see the tulip skirt on you, and that’s the highlight of that pattern. Try! I want to see.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      August 26, 2014 at 1:49 pm

      Nope! I dislike tulip skirts. Not going to happen. lol

      Reply
  8. Michelle says

    August 26, 2014 at 2:19 pm

    I love the colors in this print! I think you did a great thing substituting the skirt. I fully embrace and try to sew to flaunt my pear shape, but I cannot understand wanting to exaggerate the hip area… ever. It’s probably like people with straight hair who wish they had curls, and vice versa. At any rate, I prefer the pleats!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      August 29, 2014 at 2:18 pm

      Thanks, Michelle! Body shape aside, I just can’t get down with tulip skirts for myself. I like the pleats too! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Hannah Smith (made with hugs and kisses) says

    August 26, 2014 at 2:55 pm

    Loving your Elisalex, especially the fabric, and the underskirt. I have just attempted a wearable muslin of this pattern for the first time and am about ready to have a go at my final version. I am sticking with the tulip skirt for now, but I was considering trying it out with a gathered skirt,. I would have to agree with you about pleats – they are a pain in the bottom! 😀

    Love Hannah
    http://www.madewithhugsandkisses.com

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      August 29, 2014 at 2:18 pm

      Good luck with yours! Glad I’m not the only ones who find pleats annoying. lol

      Reply
  10. Lynne says

    August 26, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    Tasha, there are lovely colors in that fabric. The dress is divine! Box pleats are pretty flattering on you…m-m-m.. you might think about lovin’ them more. They show off your small waist and don’t make you look hippy either. What more can a gal want???

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      August 29, 2014 at 2:19 pm

      Thanks, Lynne! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Rebecca says

    August 26, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    Great style on you, great colors, perfect length. That last picture needs to be a magazine cover! 😉

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      August 29, 2014 at 2:19 pm

      Awww, thanks!

      Reply
  12. Miss Crayola Creepy says

    August 26, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    Super cute!

    I made the same fitting adjustments as you! Went down a size, FBA, and narrow shoulder 🙂

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      August 29, 2014 at 2:19 pm

      And I loooove your version! It inspired me to try sleeves on my second, except I set one in and didn’t like it. So sleeveless for me. 😉

      Reply
  13. Lauren of Rosie Wednesday says

    August 26, 2014 at 8:43 pm

    This is lovely! There must be something in the water – I just finished my first Elisalex! I like the changes that you have made to yours, and I am seriously impressed with that centered zip. It is the one zip I have yet to conquer!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      August 29, 2014 at 2:20 pm

      Thanks, Lauren! I can never seem to get the top of a lapped zipper that opens at the center back to look as nice, but I’m mighty pleased about this centered one. Now, we’ll see if I can repeat it in the future! 😉

      Reply
  14. Tammy says

    August 27, 2014 at 10:26 am

    I love that dress and your sewing skills rock. I have been making my own clothes for over 40 years and let me say you can sew circles around me! Do you have a dress makers form? it you do what brand is it?

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      August 29, 2014 at 2:21 pm

      I do have one, but quite frankly have come to find it not that helpful for me except for hemming skirts. If I had one that was even more adjustable I think I could get it to be closer shaped to my body, but in this case, I do all my fittings on myself.

      Reply
      • Tammy says

        August 29, 2014 at 9:14 pm

        Thanks I never had one and fit like you do but sometimes it would be handy

        Reply
  15. Janey says

    August 27, 2014 at 10:36 am

    This print is darling! and perfectly suited to the dress you chose! I feel my fingers itching to sew right now, but I JUST packed up all of my sewing goodies. I can’t wait to break them out again once we move.

    xoxo
    -Janey

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      August 29, 2014 at 2:21 pm

      Thanks, Janey! Your move must have you so excited! There will be plenty of time to sew when you settle down in California! 😀

      Reply
  16. Lynne says

    August 27, 2014 at 10:55 am

    Your Elisalex is gorgeous! I love the fabric (and lining), and I think the S2444 skirt looks great with it. Hope you can get your machine fixed soon.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      August 29, 2014 at 2:22 pm

      Thanks, Lynne!

      Reply
  17. Jessica Cangiano says

    August 27, 2014 at 8:05 pm

    Fabulously lovely dress! That colour palette is wonderful. It seems to have, much like Mother Nature at the moment, one foot in summer and one in fall, which is no doubt part of the reason it instantly speaks to me.

    ♥ Jessica

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      August 29, 2014 at 2:22 pm

      Thanks, Jessica! Yes, that’s definitely been my mood lately– one foot in each season. 🙂

      Reply
  18. Roisin says

    August 28, 2014 at 3:43 am

    Oh I love this! The colours in the print look great on you and obviously I love the pleated skirt! I think the bodice is so versatile, which is why I like the Elisalex pattern so much – I know the tulip skirt is not for you but I love that you’ve made the pattern work! x

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      August 29, 2014 at 2:24 pm

      Thanks, Roisin! I can totally see why you love this bodice and have sewn it so much, and I’m thrilled to have another one to slap different skirts onto into infinity. Plus it was my first lined sleeveless bodice and I’m definitely applying their technique to other patterns, too! 🙂

      Reply
  19. Rochelle New says

    August 29, 2014 at 4:39 pm

    Your zipper is PERFECT!!!! I mean WOW perfect. Nicely done! Love the fabric, love the dress, love the fit, (love the skirt, the pleats look totally fine!) AND I love Beseme Cosmetics! …did I cover everything? lol

    p.s. I love your face.

    Reply
  20. Carol Urban says

    August 30, 2014 at 3:42 pm

    OMG, Tasha! This dress is just gorgeous and so are those clogs! Wowza!

    Reply
  21. Amy says

    September 12, 2014 at 11:12 am

    LOVE the lining. The whole dress is fab!

    Reply
  22. Kristine says

    December 26, 2014 at 8:06 am

    Wonderful dress that looks great on you! I want one! :>))

    Reply
  23. Romy says

    June 9, 2017 at 5:10 pm

    I know this is super late but this dress is lovely 🙂 I really want to make it but all necklines are too wide on me so I’d need a narrow shoulder adjustment. Can you explain in a bit more detail how you did it because I’ve never done it on princess seams before. Thanks!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Reflections on 2014 | By Gum, By Golly says:
    June 13, 2021 at 2:33 pm

    […] of Insanity dress / Cuckoo clock dress / Elisalex with feathers / Seahorses wrap […]

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