My Mad Men Elisalex dress

Miss Crayola Creepy 5:00 AM 41 comments
Last year I was super bummed out that I didn't have time to participate in Julia Bobbin's Mad Men Challenge. My Joan dress was finished just after the challenge concluded, so I didn't get to join in the fun with everyone else. This year it was on my radar and although I'm cutting it close, I got it done in time! :)

I wasn't sure which outfit I wanted to emulate from the show, so instead chose a fabric from my last trip to Mood that I felt Megan Draper would possibly wear. The fabric is woven and a thicker weight, almost like a light canvas.

P.S. I'm a Megan lover, not a Megan hater. Why do people hate her?

I think this dress holds the record for the most time I have spent on a garment. I traced the pattern, sewed a muslin, retraced the pattern (went down a size from the original muslin, did a FBA, went in an additional size at the shoulders), made another muslin, and then got started on the final dress. While the fit is still not perfect (will it ever be?) I am still pretty happy that I corrected the initial problems with the baggy shoulders, tight bust, and baggy front. Doing a FBA made such a huge difference, but man, it was NOT fun making the changes for a princess seam bodice. Thank you to those of you that gave me suggestions and help on the fit!

 Oh, I guess I should tell you which pattern I used, huh? It's the Elisalex dress by the ladies over at By Hand London. Thanks to the sew along they are hosting I was able to sew the pattern with little confusion.

The dress stands up much better on the form.

Along the neckline you can kind of see my lining popping out a bit. While I did hem the bottom of the dress and the sleeves by hand, I haven't had a chance to properly stitch in the lining. I was kind of burned out on all the hand sewing today. And I ran out of Pretty Little Liars episodes to watch ;)

Speaking of hems, I took a lotttt off the bottom of the dress. Nine and a half inches to be exact! If you use this pattern I highly advise you to lay out your pattern pieces before buying fabric. I ended up using close to a yard less than the recommended amount.

Thanks for putting this sewing challenge together, Julia!

41 comments :

  1. asewingodyssey.blogspot.co.ukApril 15, 2013 at 5:36 AM

    Oh wow, this is the prefect Megan dress! Well done for seeing that potential in the Elisalex pattern and for your choosing that fabric! The result is amazing! I know how you must have felt last year though, as I don't think I'll be finishing my Mad Men dress in time this year :o(

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  2. sallieforrerApril 15, 2013 at 5:44 AM

    Gorgeous!! The fit is perfect!! And gosh, does anyone wear these bright 60's inspired fabrics as well as you? No, I don't think so. Not even Megan Draper!

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  3. Rebecca WagnerApril 15, 2013 at 5:58 AM

    Its gorgeous, well done. Loving all the Elisalex's dresses!:)

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  4. Milena (of the home blues :))April 15, 2013 at 6:06 AM

    Beautiful!!!! I really really like the fabric and the pattern- it is VERY flattering on you. Great job on making it on time (I hope the same for me:))

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  5. JenniferApril 15, 2013 at 7:10 AM

    It is beautiful. It may not be a *perfect* fit, but it sure looks like it is!

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  6. Cynthia PyattApril 15, 2013 at 8:37 AM

    Oh mahhh gahhhh, you are rocking that psychadelic print. Adorable

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  7. Cynthia PyattApril 15, 2013 at 8:39 AM

    Also, Megan is awesome. She has the best clothes, a fun personality, and is great with Sally.

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  8. the Garment FarmerApril 15, 2013 at 8:49 AM

    oh my goodness Erin, this is gorgeous on you!! beautiful job. The fit looks great. I haven't quite taken to the Elisalex pattern, but this one looks so good, I might need to reconsider. And I totally see Meghan Draper here :)

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  9. christine haynesApril 15, 2013 at 8:55 AM

    adorable! and VERY Megan-like! I too am a Megan-lover, not a Megan-hater :)

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  10. MarrieBApril 15, 2013 at 9:31 AM

    Awesome dress! All that work really paid off, you got a great fit!!

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  11. Kristin JonesApril 15, 2013 at 9:47 AM

    I don't know why people hate Megan - I think she's pretty perfect! And so is that dress! You look great in it and the print is perfect for the era. Also loving the pleats !

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  12. KellyApril 15, 2013 at 9:48 AM

    Oh, I love this pattern, and your version is great! Such a fun print, and the fit looks spot-on in photographs.

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  13. ozzyblackbeardApril 15, 2013 at 10:11 AM

    Your dress is gorgeous, I absolutely love the fabric.

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  14. SabsApril 15, 2013 at 11:40 AM

    VERY nice!

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  15. LaurenApril 15, 2013 at 11:42 AM

    TOTALLY a Megan dress! You look amazing:D

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  16. Craft SanctuaryApril 15, 2013 at 12:47 PM

    LOVE it! Megan would totally wear this, the fabric is awesome!

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  17. HouseOFpinheiroApril 15, 2013 at 1:05 PM

    Megan would be totally envious of your outfit... I love it

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  18. KathrynApril 15, 2013 at 1:57 PM

    This is so gorgeous! I just love that fabric and it looks perfect for the pattern too - your pleats are lovely and crisp and the shape of the dress is great!

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  19. Kat SultanieApril 15, 2013 at 2:46 PM

    What a cool print! I didn't take part last year at all so I am pumped to take part this year. I'm cutting it even closer than you though so fingers crossed I get done in time.

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  20. ShanniLoves...April 15, 2013 at 3:31 PM

    Love this print! It's very Megan like and I'm a lover not a hater. Looks great on you!

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  21. NeenoApril 15, 2013 at 3:50 PM

    I love the print and I love Megan too!!! She's sooo attractive, I think it's her mouth/teeth, something! So hot!!!!!! This is a very lovely version of the Elizalex!!

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  22. jillApril 15, 2013 at 3:50 PM

    It's soooo groovy (had to say it!) I really adore those colors, and the 60s look really suits you!

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  23. Reana LouiseApril 15, 2013 at 3:57 PM

    OH MY GOODNESS it's even more perfect than I was imagining. Those earrings go so well too :) And Megan (who I ADORE) would be so very, very proud of you xx

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  24. SarahApril 15, 2013 at 4:14 PM

    AMAZING DRESS!! You look fantastic! I just love you in fun 60's prints like this :) Yay for you!!

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  25. Rochelle NewApril 15, 2013 at 4:38 PM

    I love how this dress turned out!! The fit is spot on and I love how the fabric is really set off by the simplicity of the dress design. The hem looks great on you too, Sorry it was such a pain, but your effort was worth it ;) Great job, girl!

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  26. JoApril 16, 2013 at 12:48 AM

    Wow, you always find such crazy fun fabric! This looks adorable! :D Well done!

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  27. poppykettleApril 16, 2013 at 1:37 AM

    Wowsers. As if ALL that hard work didn't totally pay off! The fit is amazingly gorgeous - and your fabric is like a sherbert bomb - I love it, and you in it!!! Great silhouette :D

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  28. elisalexApril 16, 2013 at 1:52 AM

    Holy guackers this is stunning! I'm absolutely over the moon for that fabric, and SIIICK alteration skills!!! We love it!! x

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  29. StephanieApril 16, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    Love your dress! I actually used the same pattern for my Mad Men Challenge dress :) but mine is for a Betty Draper inspiration match

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  30. noelle PritchardApril 16, 2013 at 7:57 PM

    You in that dress is perfection!! And those earrings are great on you ;)

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  31. GingerApril 17, 2013 at 7:50 AM

    Girlfriend. This is STUNNING. I want this dress so badly-- you've used the perfect fabric! The fit looks great, too!

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  32. Carlee McTavishApril 17, 2013 at 2:53 PM

    It looks SOOO good, Erin!!!!!!

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  33. Lorie ~ Ferndale LaneApril 18, 2013 at 9:49 AM

    The dress looks great!! So pretty! Definitely something Megan would wear. I think the actress that plays Megan is beautiful but I'm just not a fan of her character. I'm with the old guard, loving old school characters like Betty and Joan. They are somewhat stuck in the late 50's early 60's. Megan is so modern and independent! I also participated in the Mad Men Challenge, I can't wait to see what everyone has come up with!

    http://ferndalelane.blogspot.com/

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  34. AngelaApril 22, 2013 at 12:21 PM

    Great job with the fit, it looks amazing on you! I love this fabric, so 60's!!

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  35. BethanyApril 22, 2013 at 11:33 PM

    I love Megan. I hate her teeth....

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  36. Helen Le CaplainApril 23, 2013 at 10:24 PM

    That dress is fabulous - the cut, the fit and, most of all, the print! www.mancunianvintage.com

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  37. pirpirApril 24, 2013 at 4:13 AM

    lovely fabric, gorgeous dress! :)

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  38. alexandra masseyApril 24, 2013 at 7:26 AM

    Beautiful dress, and very Megan! I'm a Megan lover as well, but I haven't watched any of the current season yet, so my perception is not up-to-date!

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  39. JenniferApril 26, 2013 at 1:53 PM

    What a great dress! I absolutely love that fabric!

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  40. TinaMay 21, 2013 at 9:30 PM

    Beautiful fabric and dress! And also... who hates Megan??! Seriously? Who hates Megan?

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  41. ooobopJanuary 16, 2014 at 11:56 PM

    Fabulous choice of fabric for your Elisalex. And you look adorable in it!

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