Yaaaassss... my new favorite cocoon dress! And maybe my new favorite dress, period.
Lately I've found myself gravitating towards cocoon and boxy dresses (see Inari, Blaire and Mila, among others). They're just so effortlessly cool, modern and stylish, in addition to being comfortable as hell.
Style Arc's Adeline dress falls into that category, plus it has the added benefit of having a lovely v-neck, a hem facing and cut-on sleeves, some of my favorite features in a pattern.
After seeing a few gorgeous versions online (Lara, Jean, Lauren, Lindsey) I couldn't stop thinking about this dress. I ordered the Adeline dress from Amazon during Style Arc's Black Friday sale (along with like 6 or 7 other patterns. Oops!). For some reason Adeline got to me super quickly, whereas the others are still en route. As a result, she got a headstart on the other patterns, jumping right to the front of my queue...
And I had the perfect piece of fabric in my stash for it: this crinkly, soft, mossy green linen that I bought at Tessuti in Melbourne when I was there a year ago. The fabric's had a year to mature in my stash, waiting for its perfect pattern pairing!
It's possible it could be this linen, but I don't remember exactly, as I was busy swooning over the fabric's color, Tessuti's Boxing Day Sale and running into Lara of Thornberry fame (see photo evidence of our chance meeting here!).
Adeline is really quick sew. A front piece, a back piece (or two, if you want to cut the back with a center seam for shaping), neckline, hem facings, patch pockets. That's it.
The sleeve cuffs are part of the main bodice, just folded back on themselves. These fairly long cut-on sleeves necessitate a wide fabric. I think, though, if you wanted to use a narrower fabric, you could easily cut the rectangular cuff pattern piece off the main body and cut the cuffs from the fabric separately. I may try that for my next Adeline because I have some narrower fabric that would otherwise be perfect for this dress.
I would definitely recommend stay stitching your neckline, and maybe even the hem, right away, as both are liable to stretch out of shape during handling. The instructions don't mention stay stitching and I forgot until after I had sewn the patch pockets on. I think just the act of hanging the bodice off the table and ironing board while placing and sewing the pockets caused some stretching on my neckline- you can see my right hand side isn't laying flat.
Truth be told, though, I got some make-up on that part of the neckline right before taking these photos. I scrubbed it off and used the hairdryer to dry the spot, which may have stretched the neckline out a bit, too! Perhaps it will go back to shape after washing the dress.
Truth be told, though, I got some make-up on that part of the neckline right before taking these photos. I scrubbed it off and used the hairdryer to dry the spot, which may have stretched the neckline out a bit, too! Perhaps it will go back to shape after washing the dress.
Also, this may come as no surprise to most, but for some reason it didn't occur to me: on this cocooon dress, the hem is smaller than the hip! Ladies with hips: beware! I have to shimmy the hem over my hips, but once it's over, all is right with the world (ok, not all is right with the world, far from it... but all is right with the dress).
So, here's my TLDR summary of my Adeline experience: Love it. Love the neckline, the cocoon shape, the faced hem. Will undoubtedly make many more.
Love love love this. Now to save this post to Pinterest so I don't forget over the winter
ReplyDeleteThanks!! Ha ha- pin away!
DeletePretty. Could you change the side seams with short invisible zips running upwards? Give you a bit of walking room, less shimmying..hopefully not destroy silhouette.
ReplyDeleteMary in Thailand
Thanks! Zips could work! I don't find I need walking room- no issues there; just have to shimmy when putting the dress on!
DeleteThat is the perfect summer dress! I've got a very similar linen in the stash - might just have to copycat. Looks lovely on you.
ReplyDelete:-) it's a great dress for summer! I would be honored if you copied1
DeleteAnother great Adeline dress. I'm loving the look of it in linen. Thanks for the mention Meg. I love how we all inspire each other. I have just started sewing the SA Olivia dress inspired from your version.
ReplyDeleteThanks!! Linen works really well with this pattern, I think! Your knit version is killer, too, and I'm sure very comfy! Very tempted to try one! Can't wait to see your Olivia!
DeleteIt looks great. I brought this pattern recently too & it's in my summer sewing queue.
ReplyDeleteIt will be gorgeous on you, Anna, can't wait to see!
DeleteLove it, I had not given this pattern a second glance, but think I might need to get it!
ReplyDeleteThanks!! It's a simple pattern, but a cool shape and some nice details!!
DeleteLove this color on you! it looks great
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tasha!! I am loving the color, too!
DeletePerfect summer dress!
ReplyDelete:-) it's great for summer- nice and breezy!
DeleteThis color is TDF!!! Gorgeous fabric! And this simple shape shows it off. You crack me up "All is right in the world, well actually not ... " laughing to keep from crying! All is definitely right with this dress!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Inder! I am loving the color and fabric, too!
DeleteSigh, yep, laughing to keep from crying is a daily thing here these days!
Thanks heaps! I am commenting here then off to Style Arc website to buy this pattern. I was not sure about the style till I saw it on you! It looks like a great Christmas Day in the sun dress to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks!! I hope you like it as much as I do!
DeleteWhat a gorgeous color--it's so rich!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elizabeth! I am loving it, too!
DeleteGreat dress! The neckline is a really nice balance to the cocoon shape and cut-on sleeves, and this color is amazing on you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Abbey! This pattern has such nice details!
DeleteI am just actually making this dress today. It looks awesome, mine is blue denim with a little white design.
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike, Robin! Yours sounds lovely!
DeleteLooks fab! I had the problem with the sleeves not fitting on the fabric and just pieced them on afterwards. The wide cuffs hid the seams
ReplyDeleteOh good- glad to know a narrower fabric works- I am already planning another version from a 42" wide fabric, so I know I'll have to mess around with the cuffs a bit!
DeleteIf you want to use a narrow fabric, you could add a centre front and centre back seam. Opened flat and topstitched it would look like a design feature.
ReplyDeleteTrue! That could definitely work.
DeleteThis dress is so pretty! I haven't ventured into the world of cocoon dresses yet (other than buying the Inari pattern but only making tops from it.) I think I really need to get a few into my wardrobe because they look so fabulous on everyone. I'm so glad you mentioned the hem being narrower than the hips-- this looks like the kind of dress I could get stuck in easily. 😂
ReplyDeleteI think the cocoon would look great on you, Teri! Ha, yeah, I had a panic moment when I tried on the partially finished dress because of the hip issue, but it worked out ok!!
DeleteSo fab on you!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! :-)
DeleteLOVE THIS! As a massive fan of Inari this looks like another great pattern to try, as always your version is a great inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!! It's definitely a relative of Inari with its cocoon-ish shape!
DeleteThanks!! It's a great pattern- I've already got another one planned!!
ReplyDeleteI love this dress, it looks great in you. I bought the size 10 going on bust measurement but now will have to widen hips to a 12/14. Any suggestions on how to do this and still keep cocoon shape at the hem line and being able to get into the dress ��
ReplyDeleteHmmm... I think you should be ok just following the general shape? I'm sorry, I'm not much help- I've never actually graded anything without the benefit of the other pattern sizes. Have a look at the pattern grading tutorials at the Curvy Sewing Collective- that is probably your best bet! http://curvysewingcollective.com/curvy-tutorials/
DeleteYours is my favorite of these dresses! Off to buy the pattern!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Hope you like it as much as I do!
DeleteOMG! You are adorable! But seriously how many pictures of you wearing that dress do you need?? I think 5 would be more than enough ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks?! Ha, I guess it's a lot of photos, but I try to show the pattern at different angles. If 5 is enough photos for you, I encourage you to stop scrolling or click away once you've reached your personal quota.
DeleteLol to the comment above! I'm a long time reader/fan from NZ, not much of a commenter, but I had to let you know I bought this pattern and within a week I have an awesome new dress! I love this pattern so much. I used some Nani Iro double gauze that's been maturing (as you say!) in my stash for about 5 years!! Thanks so much for all your reviews, I find them so helpful.
ReplyDelete;-) Hi Sheree! I am so delighted that you liked the pattern, too! I bet it's fabulous in double gauze. In fact, I may have to make myself a double gauze version!
Delete<very nice, all what I like !!! Congratulations
ReplyDeleteTrès joli, tout ce que j'aime !!!Félicitations
<Véronique L. from France
I think you look great I have some black linen that I will use to make another dress with.
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me if the back length was for your size, as I'm only 5ft 2 inches tall I thought the length would be ok but I have measured the back pattern and it comes above my knee. What's your advice does it work out longer than the pattern the size 10 they give as an example says 41" I'm confused 🤔
So adorable!!! I have a blue linen with tiny white palm trees on it and this pattern is perfect for it. I even got a coupon code and got the pattern on sale.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering what size you chose.
ReplyDeleteI'm a 20 or so in American sizing.
I love the dress and I really want to try this pattern!
I chose a size 16, although my measurements put me in a 16 at the bust and 18 at the hip. Use the size chart and compare to your measurements- Style Arc patterns run pretty true to size: https://www.stylearc.com/size-chart/
DeleteHow do I get this pattern?
ReplyDeleteHow can I get this pattern?
ReplyDeleteIs this patternstill available, love it
ReplyDeleteIs this beautiful pattern still available.
ReplyDeleteI am struggling with the lack of advice on how to layout the pattern on the fabric. I have a plan fabric that is 140cm wide. Can anyone help?
ReplyDelete