Hi y’all! Let’s go on and get it out of the way…I am thoroughly in love with this pattern. This is the latest pattern by Chalk & Notch, the Marcel dress. It’s a tiered and gathered midi dress that comes in a mini and a tank version.
The pattern is very on trend this Summer and looks great in prints and solids. I’ve seen a lot of versions on IG and I see this pattern already being a tried and true, hackable pattern.
I made the midi version, but because I’m so short it’s basically the maxi version (which doesn’t exist). By design this is supposed to actually have a mid calf hemline. On my 5’1” frame it comes right to the floor and that is totally okay. The pattern instructions do give a brief example of how to lengthen and shorten if needed.
The instructions are very easy to follow. The illustrations are clear and I enjoy the notes and thoughtfulness in the directions. For example, there are specific notes about the facing, how to hide the strap seam and the outer part of the bodice.
I actually made this dress slightly out of order. I started working on my bodice and then moved onto the tiers. Once I realized that each rectangle would follow each other, I simply basted all my gathers using contrasting thread (that was about 8 rectangles all together) and then decided to connect them all at once. I imagine that this might help someone else cut down time on this step.
I have to admit that I was a little nervous about the narrow seam allowance. It’s 3/8 for this pattern. But that feeling is more so a personal bias. However, once I began sewing my seams together this no longer bothered me.
I know there might be some questions about my fabric. It’s Telio that I picked up from Fabric.com which I believe is still sold out. It’s a crepe de chine which is not a suggested fabric on the pattern instructions but my instincts told me that it would still work. I made sure to use a microtex needle which is so clutch when you’re using a fine fabric like this. It helps with tension, helps avoids snags and makes for a much more professional looking project. By no means am I a “needle nerd” but I like to follow the rules when it comes to crepe since it is delicate in a sense.
The fabric print itself is rich in color, has beautiful drape and is not translucent in any sense of the word.
One final note…and this is in regards to the fit. I have a large bust and it’s very typical for this type of neckline and gathering to have an unflattering effect and make me look like I have a bunch of dodge balls in my dress. But because I trust C&N I had an open mind about the neckline.
My trustworthiness paid off. The bodice, facing and gathers all hit my chest in very flattering areas.
My next Marcel might be a mixed print or a solid color. I haven’t quite decided yet!
Until next time, xo
RAVEN MAUREEN 