Elena Dress
Discover the Elena Dress, an elegant, sophisticated design that will make you shine at any event. The pattern is available in sizes 34 through 56. Sew it yourself and look stunning for any occasion!
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This video is for members
Join Lulu Ferris to watch the complete class and sew along at your own pace.
What you’ll make
Elena is an advanced occasion dress with a square neckline, a dart-fitted bodice, an ankle-length skirt, and an invisible zipper at the center back.
Gathered puff sleeves end in fitted buttoned cuffs. A back slit gives the long skirt room to move, while the interior lining provides a clean finish.
What you’ll learn in this class
- Prepare delicate pieces and stabilize curved and diagonal edges.
- Mark and sew shaping darts in the outer dress and lining.
- Install an invisible back zipper with the correct presser foot.
- Join the lining and dress around a precise square neckline.
- Bind the sleeve openings and gather them into fitted cuffs.
- Set gathered sleeve caps evenly into the armholes.
- Construct and finish the center-back skirt slit.
Fabric and sewing guidance
The demonstrated versions use vintage crepe and satin crepe. Fine woven fabrics without stretch are recommended, though viscose or a fabric with slight give may also work.
Crepe georgette creates a lighter effect, while lightweight velvet offers a winter option. Slippery satin is more demanding because it shifts during sewing and makes small inaccuracies more visible.
Use a fine size 70 or 80 needle for lightweight fabric. The class also uses fusible stay tape and an invisible-zipper presser foot.
Make it your own
Make a toile before cutting the final fabric. It lets you assess the bodice, hip fit, dress length, sleeve length, and slit placement, then adjust them for your body and preferred ease.
You can raise, lower, or close the back slit, adjusting the lining with it. The fitted cuffs may use the demonstrated three buttons or a different number and size of buttons.
Complete the look with the Versailles Bag or Sloan Bag.
Sizing and measurements
The pattern covers sizes 34/36 through 54/56. Its body chart spans bust 86–132 cm, waist 64–110 cm, and hip 90–136 cm.
The listed dress length increases by size from 138 cm to 148 cm.
The video class is accompanied by printable A4 and copy-shop A0 pattern files.
Pattern & materials
Patterns are included with membership
Active members can download every available PDF and materials list.
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