Eleena Dress Blog Tour: Versatility

Welcome to the kick off day of the Eleena Dress Blog Tour!  This dress pattern was created by the wonderfully talented and all around sweet person Olga Becker of Coffee and Thread.  I really love Olga’s style, it’s clean, classic, and uniquely structured.  Checking out all the gorgeous versions of the Eleena is going to be sewing-eye-candy overload, and I can’t wait.

As you can see from the title of this post, I’m here to talk about the amazing versatility of this beautiful pattern.  If you follow Olga or I on Instagram you may have already seen my two versions.  If so, here’s a quick reminder. . .

 

The one unifying feature of this pattern that really sets it apart is the adorable pleat in the front of the bodice.  That and the zipper closure, after that the similarities end.  Let’s talk about the pink dress first.

 

This pink fabric, it’s actually more of a rose, was a garage/rummage sale find.  I think the story here was that the family was moving their grandma into an assisted living arrangement and were looking to sew some of her fabric.    I’m not actually sure what kind of fabric it is but I love it and wish I could get more.  I’m fairly certain it has to be a gauze of some sort.  It has a soft vintage feel so I went with a sweet classic look.  For this front bodice, I chose to omitted a contrasting middle pleat and went with a single piece for the front.

This dress version has a long sleeve and the cutest little cuff.  The cuff is wide enough to go over the wrist without having to construct a closure.  Yet it is not so wide that it dominates the sleeve.  It seems like such a small thing, but details like cuff size can end up impacting the look of a dress.

Normally I love a collar, but this dress just felt right to keep it simple and sweet.  The next dress is more edgy.  Although it is technically still winter, we have been experience warmer than usual weather here in CA.  I wanted a dress with a winter feel to it even if it was going to be sleeveless.  I used a unique polar animal print to achieve the winter look.  I think it’s a quilting cotton.  It’s hard to see it in photos but there is a shiny silver in the grey of the animals’ fur.  This was also a garage sale find!

As you can see, I used a contrasting panel for this dress.  I think the blue panel really brings out the colors in the polar animal fabric.

I also used flutter sleeves for this dress using the blue from the contrast panel as the flutter sleeve lining.

For this dress I also used the adorable collar piece.  It’s such a unique collar and fits with the style of the dress so well!

So, that was the 2 very different versions of the Eleena that I made.  Both with different options and fabric.  This pattern is a wonderful template to play around with your fabric stash and create a stunning and classic dress.

The Eleena dress will be on sale for $7.00(regular price $9.00) through March 7th, 11:59 EST.  There will also be a very exciting give away of two patterns of choice from Coffee and Thread and one yard of Sara Jane fabric!  For a chance to win you just need to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the links for the amazing versions that these fabulous women have whipped up!

February, 22

Bonnie & Lottie, As it Seams, Sew Happy, Call Ajaire

February, 24

In a Manner of Sewing, Skirt Fixation, Stitched Together,

Made by Sara, The Life of Compulsive Crafter

February, 26

A Jennuine Life, Fairies, Bubble & Co, Hungie Gungie, Doguincho

February, 29

Rebel & Malice, Sew Shelly Sew, Creative Needle and Threads,

Welcome to the Mouse House

March, 2

Candice Ayala, LBG Studio, Crafty Biggers, Sewing Like Mad

March, 4

Greendoodle, Rita Pirolita, Boevenbende, Kristine Hansen 

March, 7

Les Reloux, Just Add Fabric, Lokakid, While she was sleeping