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The Elisalex Dress: More of YOURS!

Simply too many to write up in one post, we're back with round two of your Elisalex Dresses! Make yourselves a nice strong Sunday coffee, girls, and get ready to soak up some inspiration from these amazing sewists...

zosews

There's only one thing even better than seeing someone make up our patterns, and that's seeing someone make up our patterns multiple times!! We can't quite decide which of Zoe's Elisalex's we prefer - the first, which was made from a beautiful pastel dotty brocade, or her second, made for Tessuti's Gridlock competition teaming the Elisalex bodice with Gertie's pencil skirt... Gertalex!!

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sewhopeful

Sew Hopeful's Janelle used a stunning upholstery weight cotton for her Elisalex making for some seriously crispy pleats, and she did a really great write up of some alterations she made - definitely worth checking out for some fitting tips!

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hayleethreaded

haylee2

We simply adore Haylee's beautiful emerald brocade dress - structured yet feminine just as this dress was intended!

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hazelzebra

Here on the By Hand Blog for a second time, we have Hazel and her very first Elisalex - and completely smitten are we with the whimsical zebra print and flirty circle skirt.

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kathrynbusy

Kathryn's mini tulip could not be more perfect for Spring - we love how she's made a pretty dressy design more laid back by hacking off the length and pairing it with her Hasbeens - the ultimate summer sandal in our humble opinion!

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nattyjane

This watercolour beauty by Natty Jane was "too flimsy" for the tulip skirt, but we are completely in love with her gathered and pin tucked alternative!

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heatherlou

Our homegal Heather Lou actually wore her polka dot number to host her homewarming party! Now that's what we call an honour. There's a rumour she's made a start on her Charlotte Skirt so I'm sure you can imagine how far off our seats we're hanging...

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dixie

Dixie's quirky geometric Elisalex with contrasting side panels was a "happy accident" as she didn't have enough of the geometric fabric so had to cut the side panels from a black sateen instead - we LOVE the result and think more of us should be making dresses with contrasting panelling!

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elisehonig

Last but definitely not least we have another namesake of this pattern!! Well, almost... Elise, of Honig Design made her Elisalex from a delicious honey coloured duchess satin and shockingly whipped this beauty up whilst hungover!! No easy feat, friends! We especially love how she's teamed her super elegant dress with leopard print tights!

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Interestingly, one musing that seems to keep popping up in reviews of the Elisalex Dress is how the full tulip skirt has seemed a little daunting at first for some of you ladies who usually like to disguise your juicy doubles... only to realise that actually by exaggerating this shape at the hips and cinching the waistline in, you end up with a beautifully feminine silhouette, described much more eloquently by Heather Lou:

"To be honest, I was a little apprehensive about this dress. We don't generally seek to make our hips look wider, and during the construction process I was worried the end result was going to make me look like the Venis of Willendorf. But there is something so playful and even a little surrealistic about this silhouette. The exaggerated curve at the hip makes your waist look teeny tiny and I think the end result is a sweet, vampy, almost cartoonish celebration of a woman's curves."

We couldn't agree more.

Comments on this post (5)

  • Apr 29, 2013

    I made the Charloptte skirt! I wore it to an important business meeting! I just haven’t photographed it yet…. (but you should know the peplum looks so rad in B&W herringbone)

    — Heather Lou

  • Apr 29, 2013

    Eeek! My face is there – twice! Thanks for sharing my dresses ladies :) I think I want to try some contrast panels now too… cogs are turning… slowly.

    — ZoSews

  • Apr 28, 2013

    Wow! It’s such a lovely shape; that tulip skirt and fitted bodice are really flattering on everyone!

    Here’s my sleeveless Elisalex (+ I’m planning a brocade version with sleeves for winter down under): http://www.upsewlate.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/love-my-lisalex.html

    — Gabrielle

  • Apr 28, 2013

    Oh my, these are all so lovely!

    — Marie

  • Apr 29, 2013

    Thanks so much for featuring me – I feel very honoured to be in such inspirational company! I’m hoping to get another Elisalex made uo to help me through MMM!

    — Kathryn

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