My Mad Men Elisalex dress

Miss Crayola Creepy 5:00 AM Completed project 41 comments

Last year I was super bummed out that I didn't have time to participate in Julia Bobbin's Mad Men Challenge. My Joan dress was finished just after the challenge concluded, so I didn't get to join in the fun with everyone else. This year it was on my radar and although I'm cutting it close, I got it done in time! :)

I wasn't sure which outfit I wanted to emulate from the show, so instead chose a fabric from my last trip to Mood that I felt Megan Draper would possibly wear. The fabric is woven and a thicker weight, almost like a light canvas.

P.S. I'm a Megan lover, not a Megan hater. Why do people hate her?

I think this dress holds the record for the most time I have spent on a garment. I traced the pattern, sewed a muslin, retraced the pattern (went down a size from the original muslin, did a FBA, went in an additional size at the shoulders), made another muslin, and then got started on the final dress. While the fit is still not perfect (will it ever be?) I am still pretty happy that I corrected the initial problems with the baggy shoulders, tight bust, and baggy front. Doing a FBA made such a huge difference, but man, it was NOT fun making the changes for a princess seam bodice. Thank you to those of you that gave me suggestions and help on the fit!

Oh, I guess I should tell you which pattern I used, huh? It's the Elisalex dress by the ladies over at By Hand London. Thanks to the sew along they are hosting I was able to sew the pattern with little confusion.

The dress stands up much better on the form.

Along the neckline you can kind of see my lining popping out a bit. While I did hem the bottom of the dress and the sleeves by hand, I haven't had a chance to properly stitch in the lining. I was kind of burned out on all the hand sewing today. And I ran out of Pretty Little Liars episodes to watch ;)

Speaking of hems, I took a lotttt off the bottom of the dress. Nine and a half inches to be exact! If you use this pattern I highly advise you to lay out your pattern pieces before buying fabric. I ended up using close to a yard less than the recommended amount.