Saturday, August 10, 2013

BHL Love. The Elisalex!

And another By Hand London garment has been cranked out of the sewing room. 
Which brings the total up to 3 in as many weeks, yee ha! 
Today we have the Elisalex...


This frock was made to be put on display in the fabric store that I work in. We had a bunch of jacquards in big and bold prints. As soon as I saw this one I heard my inner sewing voice scream "Elisalex, ELISALEX!!!". So I did what I was told and ran home to the By Hand London Pattern that had been lurking in the stash, awaiting a fabric match.


The mannequin that was to be dressed in this dress is almost the same size as me except a little bit smaller in the bust (...bitch), so I made this one up straight outta the envelope to fit her snugly. And this was such a dream to sew. Nothing too difficult. Some darts here and there and some gigantic pleats, an invisible zipper. 


On went the iron and the tunes and I got into the zone. You know the sewing zone I'm talking about right? The one in which you get super focused and work like a well oiled machine and the hours pass in what seems like seconds...Thank goodness this happens in my sewing life, because this sure as hell does not happen in my real life. Focus is not my strong point, must be an attention deficit in there somewhere... Look a blue car!


This fabric had its ups and downs. 
Con: Did not like the iron. No matter how much I pressed and steamed, it just didn't want to sit flat. So the side seams are just a little bit cave-y in-y. 
Pro: The body and stiffness of the fabric made the pleats look fabbo. Perfect for big-ass pleats. Tick!
Con: It's 100% polyester...something I usually shy away from. I overheat and die in this stuff I tells ya. I hate it more than carrot top. So bad!
Pro: The colour and print was too good to not wear due to the devil fibre content...


So that's the way the Elisalex cookie crumbles.

Fabric: Poly Jacquard, Cotton Voile lining.
Notions: Invisible zipper
Time: Sunday afternoon (approx. 289 songs on iTunes)

I love love love the shape of this dress. So flattering. It is so feminine and classy, perfect for dinners and weddings and... well just life in general. 
I'm a fan, what can I say!

Look how big this skirt really is!

Ps. Just a side note... My lovely man has a new lensbaby lens on his camera. He was having a play with it for this photo shoot. Look at all that creative blurriness!

Over and out!
xx


20 comments:

  1. So beautiful!! The colours f the fabric and the neckline remind of joan's fabulous outfits from mad men!

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    1. thanks Debi.
      Ps. I'm loving your Tuesday Tales!

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    2. Thanks so much! Aren't they fun?? I love how sewing features in so many fairy tales:-)

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  2. I.Need.This.Pattern. LOVE your version. Love the fabric and your photos are great....very romantic ;-)

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    1. Yes the pattern is wonderful, I have seen so many nice versions of this frock! thanks
      thanks hubby for the pictures :-)

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  3. You look gorgeous! And - I LOVE your Tessuti Awards entry - it is my absolute favourite.

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    1. Thanks Rachel. Tessuti dress was a bit painful to make so I need to be compensated with a prize! but looking at the other entries, I'm not so confident haha. Cheers!

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  4. AAAACCCCKKKKK!!! This is FABULOUS! I love love LOVE it! I hope you make one for yourself soon!

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  5. I love it! Elisalex = addictiveee

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  6. Absobloodylutely stunning! What a fabric!

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  7. Stunning! Love the fabric. I'd love to work in a fabric shop so I could sew samples up. What a fun job!

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  8. *Wolf whistle* This fabric is EVERYTHING!

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    Replies
    1. I still have lots left... May have to have a 100 post giveaway... Hint hint!

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  9. Wow, this is a stunning dress. It seems it would work well for spring or fall being a floral but with richer autumn tones.

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