Sizing
You can find your French Poetry size using the Size guide. Please find below the finished garment measurements. Keep in mind that the bust is fitted, the waist and hips have a lot more ease.
Finished garment measurements in cm
Size | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
Bust | 84 | 88 | 92 | 96 | 100 | 104 | 108 | 112 |
Waist | 72 | 76 | 80 | 84 | 88 | 92 | 96 | 100 |
Hips | 108 | 112 | 116 | 120 | 124 | 128 | 132 | 136 |
Length | 89.4 | 89.7 | 90 | 90.3 | 90.6 | 90.9 | 91.2 | 91.5 |
Finished garment measurements in inches
Size | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
Bust | 33 | 34.6 | 36 | 38 | 39 | 41 | 42.5 | 44 |
Waist | 28.3 | 30 | 31.5 | 33 | 34.6 | 36 | 38 | 39.4 |
Hips | 42.5 | 44 | 46 | 47 | 49 | 50.5 | 52 | 53.5 |
Length | 35.2 | 35.3 | 35.4 | 35.6 | 35.7 | 35.8 | 35.9 | 36 |
Sizing
You can find your French Poetry size using the Size guide. Please find below the finished garment measurements. Keep in mind that the bust is fitted, the waist and hips have a lot more ease.
Finished garment measurements in inches (for centimeters go to desktop version of this website)
Size | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
Bust | 33 | 34.6 | 36 | 38 |
Waist | 28.3 | 30 | 31.5 | 33 |
Hips | 42.5 | 44 | 46 | 47 |
Length of finished garment | 35.2 | 35.3 | 35.4 | 35.5 |
Size | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
Bust | 39 | 41 | 42.5 | 44 |
Waist | 34.6 | 36 | 38 | 39.4 |
Hips | 49 | 50.5 | 52 | 53.5 |
Length of finished garment | 35.7 | 35.7 | 35.9 | 36 |
Good to know
Fabric choice/yardage
Length: for a 60inch (150cm) wide fabric, you will need 2.4 yards (2.2 meters) for size 16. Smaller sizes may require less fabric.
Fabric choice: medium to heavy crepe (silk, polyester, viscose…) cotton and cotton blends. I would advise to choose a fabric that doesn’t crease too easily as it will show quite a lot on this type of skirt. Crease the fabric in your hand and let go. See if the creases are staying or not.
Formats
The French Poetry Vega dress pattern is sold in PDF and can be downloaded right after purchase in US letter or A4 format (print at home) or A0 (copy shop). Number of pages: 2 in A0, 33 in US letter, 28 in A4.
The sewing instructions are fully illustrated in the booklet, and a step-by-step video tutorial is provided as well (see below). This pattern and its instructions are in English. You can purchase French version here.
Required sewing skills
Easy (2/5). The main difficulty is the bust curve in the princess seams. The side zipper is optional and can be omitted for beginners.
You will need
(1m) interfacing for the collar and wrists (calculated for a 1 yard width – 90cm). A 25cm zipper (about 10”), thread and a needle matching your fabric type, a marking pen, scissors and pins.
Sewing instructions
Here is a video tutorial to guide you through all the steps in making this dress (hit play then click on the symbol in the bottom right corner to display the video in full screen). A booklet is included as well to illustrate PDF tiling, pattern cutting and step-by-step sewing instructions.
Need more explanations on how to gather fabric, insert a zipper? Many other video tutorials are available on my tutorials page.
Madeleine Castel (verified owner) –
I made this one last Summer as a mother-of-the-groom dress in a purple polyester crepe. It made for a very modern and elegant outfit. Be sure to choose a crepe that is thick enough, this dress needs a good drape to showcase the cut.