I often think about the wonderful sewing blog community I\’m lucky enough to call myself a part of as being global, but a quick glance at my stats is enough to tell you that\’s not quite true–London, New York, Sydney? All English-speaking cities! I know based on my preliminary research that there are loads of sewing bloggers–and pattern designers–worldwide, that I never hear of because they exist in the parallel universe that is \”sewing blogs in (insert non-English language here).\”
When Louis Antoinette reached out to me, I was so excited to hear of a new pattern brand. Actually, they are definitely not new–but they did just launch an English language website! In honor of the launch, they offered me a kit of my choosing. Their being French and located in Paris, I just had to go with their dress \”La Parisienne\”–plus, it has that mock-crop top look that I love! How could I say no?
My fabric choice (\”pearl\”) ended up being a bit darker  than I was expecting (my fault) and it\’s not the most flattering color to have directly next to my face, so I popped on my little dickie collar (from this post) which I think adds a little touch of Parisian charm and brightens it up a bit. This color would be gorgeous on someone tanner/darker complexioned than me but if you are pale like me, maybe stick to the navy or black options?
As for the construction, I made a straight 38 for the top and 40 for the bottom, altering the pleats slightly to fit (same as I did for my Basel dress–the perils of pear-dom!) and I think the fit is quite good, although looking at these pictures, I think I could have done with a sloping/forward shoulder adjustment or some shoulder pads (or better posture… working on it! #yogalates). I followed the instructions, which were clear when it came to construction order, but had some confusing translations. For example, \”oversew\” was used throughout to mean overlock or finish your seams, and they switched all metric measurements into imperial, so what would be 2 cm ends up as 13/16ths inches (actually, often written \”.13/16\” with the period beforehand–that\’s really small, haha)! I think most machines have markings for both mm and eighths of an inch on the throat plate, so it would have been less confusing to just leave in centimeters, but its easy enough to figure out what they mean with a side-by-side ruler or switching to the French section occasionally. I would say if you are used to the \”hand-holdy\” instructions in many indie patterns, you might struggle, but if you know how to decipher big 4-to-burda quality instructions, you\’ll be fine.
One last note–my kit came all the way from France to me in North Carolina in about 10 days and it was all beautifully packaged. Inside the box was a nice branded paper bag which held the pattern as well as a cloth bag for the fabric and notions. And that little tag!! (My American is showing but everything is better in French, non?) A Louis Antoinette kit would be the perfect holiday gift for the dressmaker in your life, don\’t you think?
If you\’d like to try out a Louis Antoinette pattern, they also sent me a copy of a their pattern \”Imagine,\” a very cool dress with an optional sheer back, unique yoke cap sleeves, and a center front zipper. I\’m not doing a great job of describing it, but you can see on their site that it\’s not your typical twee fit-and-flare vaguely 60s indie designer pattern (although they have that too!). Plus, they just finished their second #hacklamode contest in which everyone made versions of this pattern, so there\’s no lack of inspiration available! Enter below to win a print copy of the Imagine pattern–I\’ll ship it to you wherever you are!
Your dress is absolutely darling. Thanks for sharing, like you I love french fashion and am thrilled for the new patterns that are translated for us. Vanisha
Totally love your dress and the color is gorgeous!
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Pattern company Deer & Doe is French. Their blog is available in both French and English. Attack of the Seam Ripper is another blog available in both French and English. It's from the lovely Camille, who used to live in North Carolina but now splits her time between the U.S. Northeast and France, when she works for Deer & Doe. I highly recommend both if you haven't checked them out before.
Your dress is gorgeous! Not many French pattern designers offer patterns translated to English. One of my favorite is Anne Kerdiles Couture. Her instructions are both in French and English. I also love Louis Antoinette Paris and I am Patterns.
Darling dress, Allie! And it is so \”you\”! Great job!
I follow a few European designers on Instagram mostly. I prefer their more modern style but I'm mostly too lazy to try a pattern in another language.
Very chic!
I don't want to be too weird but yes, I love France and French style in many different aspects! I even completed Duolingo's French \”course\” one could say, because I've always wanted to learn the language. Anyways, another fantastic dress Allie!
I have not tried many French patterns. I did buy the orageuse trench pattern, so this spring I'm going to try.
I recently made the Plantain t-shirt from Deer&Doe (it's a free pattern), which has english instructions – not that the assembly is difficult, but still! I'm really pleased with the result and can recommend it…Never heard of Louis Antoinette before, but your dress is beautiful! I totally though it was seperates :)Oh, and I think Named are finnish, but not 100% sure…
I think the color looks lovely on you and the style suits you very well. It'a a very classy yet modern dress, definetively worth checking out this company.
I haven't used any french patterns previously, but I absolutely adore the way they packaged your fabric in a branded cloth bag.
I've only recently started getting interested in French sewing patterns after sewing up a Marthe blouse from Republique du Chiffon. I love it so much (I'm wearing it right now actually!). This set is SUPER cute!
This is so pretty! I've never heard of French patterns but they look beautiful!!
I don't think I've seen many french patterns (aside from Deer&Doe), but what I've seen I like!
I think French style easy but elegant.
joli tailleur pour toutes occasions! Love this modern/vintage take on a suit. May I ask…your shoes are the PERFECT heel height and I've been searching for new black pumps. Where did you get them?
Merci, Claire! Et ma chassures… they are these! http://www.dsw.com/shoe/cole+haan+claudine+pump?prodId=366819I should have linked to them! I got them in black AND navy since they seem to be great quality and pretty comfortable. 🙂
that fabric texture looks really fun. i don't notice the shoulder fit not being correct, could you still add shoulder pads?new shoes! look cute:)
Oooh thanks for the link. And there is a DSW $20 off coupon right now. Even better! Happy Holidays, Allie!
Very stylish outfit.
Lovely dress. I bought this pattern last year and haven't made it yet. My version is in French (and my French is very limited) so I may be asking for some advice! Great blogs are Jolies Bobines and Bee Made (it was from a version of the latter that I found the Parisienne). Also have you come across Wear Lemonade, great patterns and she does great videos on YouTube making them up. I'm going to make the Dita dress in spring. Au revoir!
I've never sewn a French pattern, but it sounds so chic. I definitely adore your make and while the dress is simple it has a classic sophisticated look about it. Which is so French.
I think I will add some, yeah!
I have my eye on that pattern!! I also love their Renee dress pattern.
The packaging on this is so lovely, I didn't want to unwrap anything! Would make a PERFECT gift item.
I'll have to check out Anne Kerdiles and I am Patterns, thanks!
I've just followed Attack of the Seam Ripper–she use to live right around the corner from me in NC but it looks like she's moved to the Northeast! Thank you for the recommendations.
I love the simplicity of French patterns, but that cleaness put the emphasis on technique, which is super intimidating!!
I have never used a French pattern before, but there are definitely some that have caught my eye. I think it's all about the refined sophisticated look.
I have a few french blogs and pattern brands in mind that could inspire you ;)Sewing : http://www.lefilacoudredanna.com/fr_FR/https://unchasunchas.comhttps://madebycelinette.wordpress.comhttp://mydress-made.comhttp://anniecoton.frhttp://lisetailor.comhttp://bmade.canalblog.comhttps://lecoussindusinge.wordpress.comhttp://www.huguettepaillettes.frhttp://www.secondopiano.space/blog/ (italian)Patterns : http://www.paulinealice.com (one of my favorite, great explanations and sizing and very versatile patterns)http://republiqueduchiffon.com/fr/http://www.deer-and-doe.frhttp://lespatronsdedelphineetmorissette.blogspot.frhttp://www.dessinemoiunpatron.com/shop/https://www.eglantine-zoe.fr/74-patronsFashion : http://thecherryblossomgirl.comhttp://www.misspandora.frhttp://www.tokyobanhbao.comWell that's more a lot than a few but I hope you'll find inspiration 😉
Oh my gosh, this is a wonderful list! Thank you so much, I'm going to be very busy exploring all of these blogs.
Looks lovely! The colour is sophisticated and the collar is great fix! 🙂
The only French patterns I've tried are Deer & Doe…and they're translated into English so it hardly counts! I really like the look of this, especially with the collar and black accessories. Very French schoolgirl!
You look like a true Parisian girl (believe me, I live in Paris for 10 years). This dress is very elegant on you. Concerning the french patterns, D&D is the top. Anne Kerdiles is very nice too, I made the Cezembre blouse 3 times and it is always a big satisfaction. I made 3 patterns from Republique du chiffon, but I must admit(is it the good word in English), that their patterns are sometimes tricky. To finish I'd like to say a word about Ivanne S.; she is the author of Grains de couture a nice pattern book and she made a very versatile pattern the \”Trop top\”.
Thanks for your awesome list! I've bookmarked several already. I also appreciate http://vanessapouzet.com I've made her Wanted Tee a few times and I just ordered her Wonder Mini!
I love your blog! Thanks for sharing your freebies with us 🙂