I continue to be a real fan of this company. Pattydoo provide great patterns at an incredibly low price that are well drafted for everyday wear, and are easy to make.
The Marie Dress is no exception. This is a fairly recent addition to their pattern collection, and it’s beautiful. It is only available on their German site (ie – it’s not written in English), but it is still really easy to understand with a little help from Google Translate and the brilliant YouTube Sew-along tutorial video. Whilst the video is spoken in German (I don’t speak German), the visuals and on-screen prompts enable you to easily understand what is happening.
It’s only 3 Euros for this download, which is such good value, and what is more, I only needed 1 metre of fabric for my dress! Such a budget make all round!
The good news just keeps coming – the dress comprises of only two pattern pieces, it really doesn’t get much better than this! They are rather peculiar looking, and it was fun to see how they fitted together.
My fabric choice is a scuba which I picked up on eBay. I’m not totally happy with it – it’s not as vibrant as I was expecting IRL and I don’t think that the colours suit me that well either. Hey ho! That being said, scuba fabric is perfect for this dress. One of these days I will get myself a colour consultation from a professional so that I will always know which colours to reach for.
Because there are only two pattern pieces, this comes together really quickly. The princess seams front and back create soft flattering pleats which create a pretty shape over your hips.
I have a curvy figure and find that the pleats have just the right amount of body to them so as not to exaggerate an area that I don’t want to add width to!
The princess seams and pleats are a feature of the back of the dress too and fall in just the same manner as at the front. Oh, and there are no fastenings for this dress. Pop it on and off over the head.
The pattern has a slightly curved hem, and this was the only alteration that I made. I cut the hem straight across so that it has a completely horizontal hem line now, just my preference.
So, the neckline and arms are finished by simply turning under and sewing with a double needle. There are no facings or bands, but it would be simple to create these if you so wished. I will perhaps make a neckband for my next version.
I must admit, I would prefer if this dress had sleeves. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that perhaps at some point there will be an expansion pack with some sleeves for this, and maybe in the meantime I will try to have a go at drafting my own as I think this style is a little too severe for me, and think I would wear it more if it had short sleeves. I also think the neckline sits a little too high for my taste. Not sure.
The design lines are stunning though, and I think that this dress made in a simple plain fabric would be amazing. If you’re a fan of Instagram like me, check out all the Marie Dress inspiration that there is using the hashtag #pattydoomarie
Thanks for taking the time to hop on over here today, take care and I’ll be back soon,
Kathy x
Two pattern pieces?! The design is amazing.
I know, it’s crazy isn’t it! x
I think the colours suit you beautifully. What a lovely dress. Scuba is a great knit type to work with. Velma.
Thank you Velma, I agree, scuba is a pleasure to sew with! x
That’s gorgeous ! Personally I adore those colours.
Thank you!
Wow, can’t get my head round a two piece dress pattern but it looks great on you!
It’s crazy isn’t it, and thank you! x
I find this dress on you to be perfect both in fit and color. I am amazed how the pattern is drafted. I have to check this company out. New to me.
Thank you so much, it’s a clever design isn’t it? x
Hi Kathy. I see you also have “Chloe”: why don’t you try the Chloe sleeves with Marie? There has been some discussion (in German) about sleeves for Marie on the pattydoo site forum, and several people have said that they used the Chloe sleeves successfully.
Thank you so much Marie! Why didn’t I think of that! Of course – I am definitely giving this a go, so grateful for your comment XX *does a happy dance*
Personally I think it looks great on you , colour and fit
Thank you so much! x
Hi Kathy,
Your Marie-Dress is great and the coulors are beautyful! I Love the pattern too and made 2 for me and ohne for my daughter.
Some seamstresses say in Pattydoo’s blog that the sleeves of Chloe and Ella should fit. I have not tried it myself yet , but I also have it on the list.
Have a nice day, greetings from Hamburg/Germany.
Ingrid
Oh, I see in this moment, that you get the idea a few days before, sorry!
Hello Ingrid, thank you so much, your comment is so helpful – you’re right, another kind reader has also suggested this to me – I am so grateful that you were kind enough to point this out to me though and will definitely be giving it a try.
Sending love back to you from England x