Ellie & Mac

  • Pattern Review of the Staycation Dress

    Pattern: Staycation Tiered Dress & Peplum
    Designer: Ellie & Mac
    Fabrics: Sew Unique Cotton Lycra
    Measurements: Bust: 44″ Waist: 39″; Hips: 48″
    Size made: XXL
    Adjustments: None
    Pros: I’m really into tiered dresses at the moment, so the Staycation is a bit of a fave of mine. I also love pockets of course!
    Cons: I wish this came with a flutter sleeve option. I think it would be a really great edition

    Links:

    Staycation
    Sew Unique Fabrics SUF+ program

    The Wrap Up:

    This is the second Staycation I’ve made, and I still love it.

    There a few different options for the skirt, including a few different tier configurations and also the option for a plain skirt or a peplum length. I really wanted to change the sleeves on this to something more flouncy and trialled it with the ‘Be Dreamy’ sleeves, another pattern from Ellie & Mac, but I didn’t love the outcome so I stuck with the short sleeves and it turned out fine.

    I have had success before using the Love Notions Willow Wrap Dress flounce sleeve in Ellie & Mac patterns, so maybe if I make another I’ll try substituting those in instead.

    No I can’t do this review without talking about how absolutely GORGEOUS this fabric is. This is the Sew Unique Fabrics exclusive March subscription fabric and its bloody amazing. I’ve written about their subscription program before >>here<<. If you were ever going to join, THIS is the month for sure. If you sign up before the 31st of the month, you will get shipped this beautiful fabric along with a neat free gift (also crushing hard on this months gift). You can cancel your subscription at any time, but shhhh, I’ve seen the next couple of months of prints and they are pretty special so I don’t think you’ll regret it❤️

    Learn more about SUF+
    Trialling the Be Dreamy sleeves

    The other version I made I hacked to be sleeveless which you can see in the gallery of images below. I will try and get a blog written up on how to change it to sleeveless soon for those who would like to know.

    All in all though, the Staycation is a winner and you should definitely get it while its on sale!

    BUY THE DRESS

    Gallery:

    My beautiful dress
    Sleeveless Version

  • Pattern Test & Review of the High Waisted Tennis Skirt

    Pattern: High Waisted Pleated Skirt
    Designer: Ellie & Mac Patterns
    Fabrics: Woven Cotton Poplin & black ribbing
    Measurements: Waist: 39″; Hips: 49″
    Size made: 2XL
    Adjustments: None
    Pros: I like the dressiness of this skirt and how by changing the fabric could really change up wether you are making it dressy or casual.
    Cons: There is a lot of work in this one with the pleats. I wouldn’t say its difficult, its just finicky and time consuming.

    Links:

    High Waisted Pleated Skirt Pattern
    Ellie and Mac Facebook Group

    The Wrap Up:

    This pattern went through a couple of changes through the testing process, which is partly what the test process is, to iron any kinks in the size grading and instructions.

    The original skirt was to made from knit fabric, but the first test group had issues, so when it got to my group for testing, it had changed to a woven or structured knit. I had a lot of trouble with my fit version, which I think was partly to do with the style (the pleats were sewn down a lot further creating less room in the hips) and I also think I didn’t sew the right size for me.

    The original test fit garment

    It bunched at the hips and non contoured waistband sat funny on my waist. It was not a flattering look! I was a little scared to see what the final version would come out as, but a few additional changes were made and I think they made a big difference. The main difference was incorporating the option for a ribbed waistband option to help with the waistband issues.

    I had initially picked out some cute grapefruit fabric to make my final from, but pleated skirts are incredibly fabric hungry and I didn’t have enough. I did however have some stylish black and gold cotton poplin that I got from a friend who was de-stashing and it was perfect.

    While pleats are time consuming, I actually find it quite cathartic and satisfying watching them come together. It’s ‘slow’ sewing, but requires more skill and attention to detail, which I think is good to have a few of those projects every now and then. Especially if you’re a fast and dirty sewer like I am haha.

    I think the final skirt came up quite good and when I paired it with my new Tennessee Tee in a deep red/Burgundy, it really popped. Throw in a pair of black kitten heels and I was already for my Valentines date of salmon and rice with my husband and kids at 5.30 before I ran off to work haha. Glamorous Valentines for us for sure 😉

    Gallery: