Hi Everyone,
I am probably one of the few sewists out there who has yet to find a wrap dress pattern they love. I kind of came to the conclusion that maybe true wrap dresses were not meant for me (constant fiddling/ fear of coming undone), so when Pauline Alice was kind enough to send me a copy of her Aldaia dress I was very happy to see that one of the bodice options offered was a surplice design. Coupled with the option to have a 6-gore skirt, I decided this was as close to my dream wrap dress as I was ever going to get.
There is not much to say about this dress which I won’t cover in my review (below), except to say I genuinely do LOVE this pattern! I made virtually no changes (at least not the “major” standard changes that I typically have to do), and I love the fit and finished dress. Couple of things to note:
- I think I sewed two of my front panels the wrong way, so the centre panel is on the side, and a side panel is in the centre. Shhhhh.
- The pattern instructs you to twin needle around the neckband. I tried this and it was a hot mess (in hindsight I wish I had used my walking foot, as I did on the hem). No matter, I unpicked the twin needling around the neck band and left well enough alone.
The most amazing thing about this pattern is the number of different options which are included: 3 different bodice styles, 3 different skirt styles and 3 different sleeve styles. You can mix and match all the options to create your dream knit dress. I am now desperately searching for printed jersey fabrics that I like, and I am definitely going to try this out in a ponte knit and a wool jersey for autumn. Another winning pattern from Pauline!
Pattern Review
Pattern Description:
The Aldaia dress is designed for knit fabrics, with no closure so it can be pulled up easily. Front princess seams and back darts make the bodice easy to fit. You can mix all the different necklines, sleeves and skirts options to make a unique dress.
View A: V neck, elbow length sleeves with bands and short panelled skirt.
View B: wrap style bodice, sleeveless and below-the-knee pencil skirt.
View C: jewel neckline finished with facing, short sleeves and 6-gore skirt.
I made the wrap style bodice from view B, the 6-gore skirt from view C and the elbow length sleeves from view A.
Pattern Sizing:
Size 34 to 48
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I LOVE this pattern, and all the variations that are included with the pattern. 3 different bodice styles, 3 different skirt styles and 3 different sleeve options. I love the fixed wrap bodice that I chose to use – so flattering and a perfect fit for me right out of the envelope. No gaping. Love the 6 gore skirt option that I also chose to use. Just love! Nothing to dislike.
Fabric Used:
Cotton jersey purchased locally to me.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
- Shortened sleeves by 1.5 inches
- Slimmed the arms and bands down by 0.5 inches
- Shortened the neckband by 1 inch. For next time I have also removed a further 0.5 inch from the centre back of the neckband
- Lengthened skirt by 2 inches
I did not have to do a FBA, sway back adjustment or full arm adjustment on this dress!
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Totally yes I want to try this dress is jersey again, but also in a ponte knit and wool jersey. Yes I recommend.
Conclusion:
It doesn’t happen often and it might not happen for you, but for me, this dress is just so easy to fit, sew and wear.
Have a great week ahead everyone! We are currently enjoying a spell of warm, dry weather. Long may it continue!
Gosh, I love everything about this dress! I haven’t yet found my perfect wrap dress pattern, so maybe I’ll try this one.
Thanks Tin Lizzie. If you prefer a fixed wrap dress then I really recommend.
This is cute on you. Make one in every print and/color. Also, I like the print suit from you previously post. Janie
Thanks Janie. I have already purchased fabric to make a second one.
I think you got a perfect fit and a lovely look.
Thanks Betty
Your dress is fabulous! I bought this pattern when it came out, but still haven’t made it. I love that wrap bodice, and am definitely going to give it a try. I recently bought some patterned jersey fabrics from The Textile Centre, and they were a cheap as chips and lovely quality (unlike the more expensive stuff I bought from Girl Charlee…)
Thanks Lynne. I love Textile Centre for all kinds of things! Have heard mixed things about Girl Charlee (but haven’t bought from them myself).
This pattern is perfect for you! Neckline just the right depth and the fit is spot on.
Thanks NancyD
Wow, this dress is so pretty and flattering, it looks amazing on you!
Thanks aida.
Beautiful! Love the style on you, and the fabric you chose!
Thanks Aradhana
This dress is absolutely perfect on you. I adore the look! I am currently on the Pauline Alice website looking . . .
Thanks Cathryn. I admit I do admire Pauline’s patterns.
Beautiful dress – I love this on you. And i love the fabric print and colors as well. GORGEOUS!
Thanks Tomasa.
Love it. I too have really struggled to like wrap dresses and often think they are not flattering on big busted women. Yours is everything I would want. Thank you so much for the review. I’m going to look at the pattern right now.
Thanks Margaret. Hope it works out well for you if you go ahead with it.
This dress looks fabulous on you. Glad you reviewed this pattern, I bought it as I liked the number of options for different dresses. I have cut out a toile for view b wrap style bodice, and have got at least two dresses planned!
Thanks Ruth. It’s a great pattern.
Wow- this is perfect on you! Just gorgeous! Maybe I should try it since we’re measurement twins!
Hi Measurement Twin! I think you would like it….I just like the fact I am not worrying with ties and adjusting it constantly. Put it on and go!
Love everything about this dress. It suits you beautifully too!
Thanks Jean Margaret.
Wow, super dress, looks superb!
Thanks Mrs K
You didn’t have to do a FBA? I’m buying it right now. It looks fabulous.
Hi Suzanne, no I didn’t FBA. But if you needed too there are princess seams so love even more!
Looks great on you! I might have to give this one a go…
Thanks Anna-Jo
This is beautiful on you! I love it too!
Thanks Myra
Sra. Soy puertorriqueña. Siempre sigo su trabajo. Pero le comento…que ese traje quedo espectacular. La felicito.
Thank you Wanda!
looks fantastic on you – great fabric and the fit is just right.
Thanks Beth.
I love this. The fabric is just perfect
Thanks Renee
Gah!! You look stunning in this dress!
Thanks Margo.
So I saw the preview and thought, WOAH. This is it. This is YOUR wrap dress Manju!
It fits AMAZINGLY well. Pure perfection!
Thanks Nakisha. Yeah, doesn’t happen often and I am scared about what if I use a different weight fabric but this particular version is love!
This dress looks wonderful on you, it suits you perfectly. Very pretty and extremely flattering.
Thanks Julie.
Looks great how do we get your patterns I read about you in vogue am not good with computers but am going to try
I do look forward to your posts. This is a very good shape on you, I want to get this pattern for myself. Keep up the very good work!
Thanks Claudette and thanks for following along!
Absolutely beautiful! You look so great and that fabric turns it up a notch!
Thanks Tasha.
Manju, I love everything about this – the fabric, the colour, the fit on you!!!
Thank you Abbey.
Really gorgeous. I’m going to check this one out. I like that it gives you loads of options. Never used these patterns before and now I’ve got 2 on my list (Eliana as well) thanks to you. 😉
Thanks Patsy. I really like Pauline’s design. I think great value for money for an Indie designer and lots of little features that make for interesting sewing.
This dress is stunning!
Thanks Lets Get sewing
Hi, I’ve followed your sewing projects for a long time but haven’t commented until now. I just have to say how amazing you look in this dress! The fit is perfect and the print fabric is gorgeous, too – a wonderful scale and color for you. Utter perfection. You’ve achieved what every woman wants: to be noticed for how great she makes the dress look! Beautiful!
Thank Kathy for your kind comment and thanks for following my blog!
This dress is gorgeous on you, suits you perfectly and looks so much nicer than I expected when I saw the pattern. x