I’m so glad to finally introduce the new pattern: the Aldaia dress! I’ve been working on it for the past 3 months and was waiting for the Paris fair to release it.
View A: cotton spandex jersey – Girl Charlee Fabrics UK
View B: knit fabric – Henry & Henriette (not available – similar here)
View C: ponte milano – local shop (similar to Cousette)
Inside the Aldaia dress pattern, you’ll find 3 different views and you’ll be able to combine the sleeves, necklines and skirts options for a total of 27 different dresses! Yes, 27 dresses in 1 pattern! As I started with the Aldaia design, I kept adding possible modifications and I thought it would be great to have them directly added to the pattern.
This pattern is designed exclusively for knit fabrics: you’ll need between 20% and 30% stretch (I’ll come back in the next days with a tutorial on how to check the stretch and some tutorials on how to sew with jersey fabrics). You can use fabrics like cotton jersey, rayon jersey, neoprene, french terry… and my favourite ponte milano!
As for sewing the Aldaia dress, you won’t need anything special: if you have an overlocker, perfect. If you don’t, don’t worry, you can sew the whole dress with your sewing machine.
The Aldaia dress pattern uses the same bodice base for all 3 views but has many options.
- View A has a V-neck, elbow-length sleeves and a short skirt with panels (great for colorblocking).
- View B is sleeveless, with a faux wrap neckline and an elegant knee-length skirt.
- As for view C, this is the more playful design of the 3 with it’s round neckline, short sleeves and full 6-gore skirt.
The 27 different options…
And as I’ve said before, feel free to mix’n match the options: how about a wrap bodice (view B) with short sleeves (view C) and short skirt (view A)? Anything’s possible!
I hope you’ll like this new pattern. You can find the printed and PDF copies in the shop.
Let me know which view is your favourite!
For the pattern itself, I made some changes mostly due to my petite size: I had to shorten the body about 30 cm and the sleeves by about 10 cm (fyi I’m 1m55 tall , 5ft1). The instructions were very complete but I wouldn’t recommand this pattern for a beginner (which Named patterns doesn’t either, the pattern is marked 5/5 and challenging). There are a lot of pieces and the construction has to be very detailed and meticulous. But the results are very professional looking. The only complaint I have is just some personal preference: I like to cut my pattern directly in the paper but I could n’t do it as the numerous pieces are layered on top of each other so I had to trace them first.
Today let’s talk about the perfect summer dress: the 
Xerea
For fabrics, I would recommend fabrics with some drape, in particular if you choose the shift dress.
The yoke design allow you to use contrasting fabric very easily: how about color blocking or lace accents? All the hems are finished with bias binding, make your own with matching fabric for an invisible finish or add some subtle contrast to your dress.
I hope you’ll like the new patterns, the 
Sandra’s beautiful red Quart looks very festive! This is such a great way to brighten a grey Winter.
2.Fold the pocket over and press the seam allowances toward the pocket.
1.On the right side, match the seams of the two skirt pieces together all around the pockets, with right sides together and pin.
3. If you insert a regular zipper on the left side (that’s what I will do), match the seams, pin and start stitching from the zipper mark to the hem.
1.On the skirt waist seam, baste 3 lines of stitches at 1,5 cm, 1 cm and 0,5 cm from the egde (5/8″, 3/8″ and 1/4″).
3.Match the skirt side openings, front and back center, side seam to the corresponding bodice marks, with right sides together and pin. Gather the skirt between the marks until it fits the bodice.
1.Mark the buttonholes on the right side and the buttons on the left side. Mark the buttonhole and button on the under collar as well.
2.Stitch the buttonholes on the right side. Sew the buttons on the left side.
