Fabric choice
Broderie anglaise (eyelet/embroidered cotton), lace, but also woven fabrics such as crepe, twill, challis, in silk, viscose, polyester, cotton, linen, tencel…
Notions
1.55 yard (1.4m) of interfacing. A 40cm zipper (about 15.7 inches), 2.7m (2.95 yards) of ladder lace trim (the embroidered part should be 25/64’’ (1cm) wide or close to this measurement), 30’’ (75cm) of stiff tulle/mesh fabric, thread matching your fabric, a sleeve ironing board, a machine needle that fits your fabric type, a marking pen, scissors and pins.
Sewing level
Advanced (4/5) or intermediate (3/5), difficulty depending on the chosen instructions: two versions are described in the booklet, one more suited to experimented sewists looking for a new challenge and wishing to learn new techniques. You will be guided throughout the process by a detailed booklet illustrated with over a hundred digital illustrations. You will learn haute couture techniques, and discover how to make a very full structured skirt, thanks to an ultra-light tulle structure that is never in contact with the skin.
Required fabric length
140cm wide fabric
International sizes | XS to M | L to XL |
French Poetry sizes (size guide) | 2 to 8 | 10 to 16 |
Main fabric | 3.4m | 3.8m |
Lining | 1.7m | 1.7m |
110cm wide fabric
International sizes | XS to M | L to XL |
French Poetry sizes (size guide) | 2 to 8 | 10 to 16 |
Main fabric | 4.1m | 4.4m |
Lining | 1.8m | 2.1m |
55” wide fabric
International sizes | XS to M | L to XL |
French Poetry sizes (size guide) | 2 to 8 | 10 to 16 |
Main fabric | 3.7 yards | 4.2 yards |
Lining | 1.85 yards | 1.85 yards |
43” wide fabric
International sizes | XS to M | L to XL |
French Poetry sizes (size guide) | 2 to 8 | 10 to 16 |
Main fabric | 4.48 yards | 4.8 yards |
Lining | 1.97 yards | 2.3 yards |
Finished garment measurements
You can find your French Poetry size based on your measurements or ready-to-wear size (US, EU, UK, AU, international) using the Size guide. This dress runs small compared for example to Pleiades 1 and Pleiades 2 as it has a fitted bodice: check your measurements and make a toile for any adjustments.
International size | XS | S | M | M | L | L | L | XL |
French Poetry size (size guide) | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
Bust | 87 | 91 | 95 | 99 | 103 | 107 | 111 | 115 |
Waist | 67 | 71 | 75 | 79 | 83 | 87 | 91 | 115 |
Hips | 132 | 136 | 140 | 144 | 148 | 152 | 156 | 160 |
Length | 90 | 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 93 | 94 | 95 |
International size | XS | S | M | M | L | L | L | XL |
French Poetry size (size guide) | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
Bust | 34.3 | 36 | 37.4 | 39 | 40.6 | 42 | 44 | 45 |
Waist | 26.5 | 28 | 29.5 | 31 | 33 | 34.5 | 36 | 37.5 |
Hips | 52 | 54 | 55 | 57 | 58.3 | 60 | 61.4 | 63 |
Length | 35 | 35.5 | 36 | 36.4 | 36.4 | 37 | 37 | 37.3 |
Finished garment measurements
You can find your French Poetry size based on your measurements or ready-to-wear size (US, EU, UK, AU, international) using the Size guide. This dress runs small compared for example to Pleiades 1 and Pleiades 2 as it has a fitted bodice: check your measurements and make a toile for any adjustments.
Intl size | French Poetry size (size guide) | Bust | Waist | Hips | Length |
XS | 2 | 87 | 67 | 132 | 90 |
S | 4 | 91 | 71 | 136 | 90 |
M | 6 | 95 | 75 | 140 | 91 |
M | 8 | 99 | 79 | 144 | 92 |
L | 10 | 103 | 83 | 148 | 93 |
L | 12 | 107 | 87 | 152 | 93 |
L | 14 | 111 | 91 | 156 | 94 |
XL | 16 | 115 | 95 | 160 | 95 |
Intl size | French Poetry size (size guide) | Bust | Waist | Hips | Length |
XS | 2 | 34.3 | 26.5 | 52 | 35 |
S | 4 | 36 | 28 | 54 | 35.5 |
M | 6 | 37.4 | 29.5 | 55 | 36 |
M | 8 | 39 | 31 | 57 | 36.4 |
L | 10 | 40.6 | 33 | 58.3 | 36.4 |
L | 12 | 42 | 34.5 | 60 | 37 |
L | 14 | 44 | 36 | 61.4 | 37 |
XL | 16 | 45 | 37.5 | 63 | 37.3 |
Your makes on Instagram
Tag your makes with #FPAquarius or #Frenchpoetrypatterns hashtag to share them with other sewists 🙂
Magda H (verified owner) –
Beautiful pattern BUT it does run small, I would strongly suggest sizing up.
Instructions are very detailed (two sets of instructions for different sewing levels).
Mme Lerayer (verified owner) –
I made the dress in size 46, it fits perfectly and gives me a nice figure. It is important to take your measurements.
Hannah J (verified owner) –
Perfect fit at first try. Dress is fully lined. I chose the more challenging option which gives a cleaner finish and I thoroughly enjoyed the process.
LauraLi (verified owner) –
Great pattern