This was my first experiment with lekala patterns. The patterns are custom drafted to your measurements, and come as a pdf file which you then print out and stick together. They are very cheap and very stylish, and offer plenty of style with sleeves and sensible necklines. I bought mine from the etsy store HERE, and there are even more styles available through the main store HERE.
So, here's the shot of what the patterns supposed to look like - my version turned out exactly as I pictured it! I'm always a bit nervous of buying patterns based on a drawing rather than a photo, but this one came through. I didn't make any fitting adjustments at all, just added 2" to the hem and brought the neckline in by 1". The fabric I used is a stretch merino wool I got as an ebay bargain - its very thin and drapey so I thought this was the perfect pattern. I used just under 2m, which means I have 3m left for another dress.
Bad points: The pattern directions are minimal and not well written (I believe they are translated from russian), and there aren't really any balance marks, which makes it hard to tell which edge of the back skirt pieces the CB and which is the side seam. Similarly with the back waist pieces, and which way up to put the front waist piece which has a slight curve. There's no direction on finishing the neckline, so I drafted facings by tracing a 6cm strip around the neck edges of the front and back pieces. Fortunately I'm familiar enough with patterns that I can make an educated guess on these things, and it all turned out fine.
So, here's the shot of what the patterns supposed to look like - my version turned out exactly as I pictured it! I'm always a bit nervous of buying patterns based on a drawing rather than a photo, but this one came through. I didn't make any fitting adjustments at all, just added 2" to the hem and brought the neckline in by 1". The fabric I used is a stretch merino wool I got as an ebay bargain - its very thin and drapey so I thought this was the perfect pattern. I used just under 2m, which means I have 3m left for another dress.
Bad points: The pattern directions are minimal and not well written (I believe they are translated from russian), and there aren't really any balance marks, which makes it hard to tell which edge of the back skirt pieces the CB and which is the side seam. Similarly with the back waist pieces, and which way up to put the front waist piece which has a slight curve. There's no direction on finishing the neckline, so I drafted facings by tracing a 6cm strip around the neck edges of the front and back pieces. Fortunately I'm familiar enough with patterns that I can make an educated guess on these things, and it all turned out fine.
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