Hello and welcome back for Sewing Therapy. I’m Sara and today I invite you to sew a Marcel Dress along with me!
This dress is so beautiful and I love that it’s a great pattern for using up remnant fabric pieces. If you’re anything like me, I know you have a bin full of scraps that are too small for a new project yet too beautiful to be wasted. The Marcel Dress features side panel pieces that are perfect for those treasured remnant pieces, which would make this dress extra special and unique only to you. I used five different fabrics for the tiers and love the results!
In this video, I have included both the original neckline and the v-neck hack at the end of the video. I love Chalk and Notch’s instructions as they feature clear illustrations, but for some parts, I used my own preferred methods for construction. So before starting, please read the original instructions carefully, and choose whichever method you’re comfortable with.
And one more modification for my Marcel: I widened the strap so I cut one more piece for the Facing, not folding the main fabric itself. Whether you choose any of my modifications or stick with the original pattern, I hope you’re getting excited to sew the Marcel Dress of your dreams with me!
Let’s get started!
Material
Marcel Top and Dress Pattern Purchasing Options:
from Chalk + Notch Patterns
https://www.chalkandnotch.com/shop/marcel-printed/
from Two O Nine Fabric
https://twooninefabric.ca/collections/chalk-and-notch-patterns/products/marcel-dress-and-tank-top-chalk-and-notch-sewing-pattern-printed-size-00-30
I used various fabrics from my shop
https://twooninefabric.ca/
FAQ Material List
The sewing machine I have:
Bernette B37 Swiss Design Computerized Sewing Machine
https://amzn.to/3etYaFE (USA)
LDH Scissors and thread snip
http://bit.ly/3vbHj04
Tailor’s Chalk Pencil
http://bit.ly/chalkpencil
Poly Sewing Thread
https://bit.ly/209thread
Lightweight Fusible Interfacing
https://bit.ly/3GETKGw
Wash-away Wonder Tape
Canada https://amzn.to/35DUwUj
USA https://amzn.to/39ylJc2
Craft Clips
Canada https://amzn.to/32vmK2u
USA https://amzn.to/3sjKKiU
Flat Head Pins
Canada https://amzn.to/2IaKoKm
USA https://amzn.to/32slD31
Point Turner
Canada https://amzn.to/39rgfQA
USA https://amzn.to/3qjfKyA
Here’s my Patreon page link. Your support is greatly appreciated!
https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32815284
Fabric Recommendations
A light to medium weight woven fabric with a nice drape
Cut
1 Front Bodice (On Fold), 1 Front Bodice Facing (On Fold), 2 Strap, 2 Strap Facing (Optional), 1 Center Front Panel (On Fold), 1 Center Back Panel (On Fold), Side Panel Tier 1 (Mirrored), Side Panel Tier 2 (Mirrored), Side Panel Tier 3 (Mirrored), Side Panel Tier 4 (Mirrored), Side Panel Tier 5 (Mirrored)
Seam Allowance
Use 3/8″ seam allowance unless otherwise stated
1. Bodice – Original Neckline
Pin and sew Strap and Strap Facing RST (Right Side Together)
Pin and sew Strap and Strap Facing
Tip: Attaching Facing with a slightly smaller SA (shown area only) helps create a neat finish without showing Facing on the outside!
Turns right side out
Press
Optional) Topstitch
Pin Straps onto Front Bodice RST
Cover them with the Right Side of Front Bodice Facing and pin
Sew
**If you widen the straps like I did, the area where the strap meets the bodice will be wiggly when you turn inside out. In which case, re-sew the strap area to match the width of the strap
Trim
Clip the rounded area
Press the seam towards the Front Bodice Facing
Understitch
Pin Straps onto the slightly shorter edge of Back Bodice RST
Cover them with the right side of Back Bodice Facing
Try on the Bodice and adjust the length of the Straps as needed
Press the seam towards the Facing
Understitch
Fold along the stitch and press
Unfold Front and Back Bodice and match Facing to Facing and Main to Main RST
Pin and sew
Clip along the seam line
Send the seam in opposite directions before folding to reduce bulk
Fold along the stitch
Repeat for the other side
2. Side Panel
Gatherstitch on all Side Panels except for Tier 1
Distribute the gathers evenly and sew Tier 2 and Tier 3 together RST
Distribute the gathers evenly and sew Tier 3 and Tier 4 together
Distribute the gathers evenly and sew Tier 4 and Tier 5 together
Distribute the gathers evenly and sew Tier 1 and Tier 2 together
Repeat all steps for the other Side Panel, making sure that the Tier 1’s are mirrored
Serge all the seams
3. Skirt
Pin and sew Side Panels to Front Bodice RST
Pin and sew Back Panel to one Side Panel RST
4. Optional: V-Neck Hack
Place the original pattern of Front Bodice and Strap with 3/8″ SA overlapping
** Since I wanted wide straps, I used the Strap pattern piece as is. If you want original width, use it folded in half
Draw V-neck from the point where the top of your shoulder lays
** The top of my shoulder lays 6″ from where the Strap starts, so I drew my V-neck from that point.
Draw your preferred armhole shape Trace the rest of the pattern
You can make the V-neck to the depth of your liking
Remove the pattern pieces and check how it looks
Fold the fabric and cut
Cut 1 more piece for Facing
Pin and sew Bodice and Facing at armholes RST
Pin and sew Bodice and Facing at neckline RST
Clip the V as close to the seam as you can and grade the seam
Trim the neckline and armholes seams
Clip the curved areas
Turn right side out and press
The remaining steps are the same as for the Original Bodice
5. Bodice + Skirt
Gatherstitch the Front and Back Panels
Slip the Skirt into the Bodice and pin the Side Panels to the Bodice RST
Pin and sew the Side Panels to the Bodice
Distribute the gathers evenly and sew the Front and Back Panels to the Bodice
Serge
Press the seam towards the Bodice and topstitch
Serge the bottom hem, fold and topstitch
And that brings us to the end of the Marcel Dress! What did you think about this pattern and my modifications? Are there any other mods that you would like to see? I would love to hear your thoughts and questions in the comments section below. And please don’t forget to tag me in your makes! There are so many unique and beautiful Marcel Dresses and I’d love to see yours. Thanks! I’ll see you in my next post!
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