PATTERN REVIEW: Etoile Dress By French Poetry
French Poetry Etoile Dress made with FS AGAVE Softened Medium Weight Linen
French Poetry Etoile Dress made with FS AGAVE Softened Medium Weight Linen
French Poetry Etoile Dress made with FS AGAVE Softened Medium Weight Linen
The 90s trends are making a major fashion comeback to the catwalks around the globe and back into our wardrobes. We seem to be combining some of our favorite old-school styles for a look that’s vintage, plain and simple. Fortunately, the Etoile Dress pattern by the French designer French Poetry checks all the boxes!
The Etoile Dress is a flirty little sundress that is quite simple, but so effective. With its deep V-neck that shows just the right amount of cleavage, darts in front and back and flattering princess seams, it perfectly defines your silhouette and adds a touch of femininity. Cute details include front buttons and gathered short sleeves adorned with self-fabric ties.
Blandine, the designer behind the French Poetry patterns, has done a great job drafting the pattern. It sews up pretty easily and has a great fit although you will most certainly need to do a full bust adjustment if you have a cup size bigger than B cup. The top of the dress is pretty fitted and has a deep V-neck that stops right at the apex line. The skirt flares out from the waist and is great for disguising fuller hips. The Etoile Dress has a mini length with a pretty high hem line. So consider adding a couple of extra inches for more coverage.
French Poetry Etoile Dress made with FS AGAVE Softened Medium Weight Linen
The dress you see in this post is a straight size 8 with no modifications whatsoever. Choose the size that is closest to your measurements (if in between, go for the largest size). If your measurements are very different from the standard sizes (e.g. very wide hips compared to waist or bust) you can trace a line between two sizes.
Even though the pattern is labeled as «intermediate», it came together relatively easily. However, with only 3 pages of instructions, it definitively requires some sewing experience, concentration, and precision, especially when sewing the neckline and neckline facings. You have to be careful not to stretch the neckline and make it lay flat against the skin. Overall, this was really fun and quick to sew.
This little sundress is perfect for the flowy summer wovens like linen, rayon, cotton voile and silk. And since linen is the ultimate summer fabric, we made our version in our beautiful IL019 AGAVE Softened Medium Weight linen. With its cold, watery green shade reminiscent of Edgar Degas’s paintings, and smooth and tight weave, we thought that this particular fabric would work perfectly with this pattern and so it did! You will also need some lightweight fusible interfacing and 9 small 3/8- 1/2? buttons to complete the project.
The Etoile Dress sewing pattern is available in sizes 2 to 16 and sold in PDF and can be downloaded right after purchase in US Letter, A4 (print at home) or A0 (copy shop) formats. As a PDF, it’s worth noting that the file is relatively small and consists of only 25 pages (US Letter). This means that the taping process should not require too much time. The pattern and its sewing instructions are available in both French and English ( got to the English store for the English version).
The bottom line, the Etoile Dress by French Poetry is a wonderful pattern with lovely seam lines and a really satisfying making experience! So if you are looking for a cute figure-flattering button-up sundress to beat the heat this summer, this pattern is right what you need. Go to French Poetry’s website and grab a copy of the Etoile Dress. And if you are looking for more maker inspiration, check out some cute makes on the Instagram with the #fpetoile hashtag.
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13 Comments
Jo Price
I love the fabric used and the photos are amazing. I’m not offended by them at all. It does seems a shame though not to see a standing photo to see how the dress falls. It does look like the dress doesn’t fit Masha at all well around the shoulders and neck so I’m wondering if that is why the photos are all taken in an artistic way.
I also love your patterns and service and tutorials. I can’t wait to move from Aus to the US so I can purchase your linen without paying huge postage! Not the reason we are moving but a nice side benefit!
Crystal Taylor
Hi Rima,
I think this dress looks stunning. Perfect for that summer holiday at the beach or even a romantic getaway. The colour of the linen is divine and suits the dress perfectly.
Those reviewing against the photos, why did you not just click on the link that takes you to the pattern page? Here it is simply a review of using Fabric-Store Linen with a pattern from another designer. Clearly the photos here are way better, and gives you a sense of how it can be worn, if you don’t like it simply scroll on.
I would like to thank the Fabric-Store for all your free patterns and tutorials, over the last year you have taught me how to sew. Once I get to this skill level I will make this dress, and if I can find a similar colour linen in my country I will make it the same.
Many thanks,
Crystal
Keira Clementine
I love the photos! Super pretty! However I literally cried trying to make this dress. I cut out my correct size, but the fabric gapes at the neckline something fierce, fabric is pooling in the small of my back a crazy amount, and there seems to be an issues at the shoulder seams of both the facing and the bodice. Also, there is a mistake when it comes to numbering the steps, and sewing the first part of the sleeve is poorly explained, but that was fine because I already knew how to do that step. I think I must be the problem and not the pattern because I have looked up reviews of this dress and no one has mentioned any issues.
Stephanie G Willis
I think this pattern is adorable for the younger and/ or still svelte sewists. The off-the-shoulder photos are certainly a departure from most of the photos on this site, but are in keeping with the essence of this flirty pattern. I am not offended at all! I love the rest of the patterns on the French Poetry site. Delightfully different from the usual.
Amy Elliott
I have zero clue what this dress actually looks like. The photos are lovely. The model is lovely. No idea if the dress is lovely. It appears to be poorly designed, poorly made, or poorly fitted to her body as it doesn’t stay on her body.
Carolyn Ferrell
I don’t care about the model showing skin but i would appreciate one shot just full on, standing straight so we could see the dress.
Karen Pardue
Your readers are mostly makers as well as wearers. A bit more visual offerings about the making or even the line art of the garment would have balanced out the pin-up effect.
Judy Hays
The model is very pretty but I want to see the dress, not pinup photos. Not interested in a pattern that won’t stay on my shoulders. Love the color of the fabric.
Leanne Long
I looked at the pattern/photos on the website for the company. Cute dress BUT, only for the small person. Doesn’t look like it would fit someone very tall or larger than the sizes offered. One of the things I love about Fabrics-Store is that the patterns are offered in many sizes AND the photos of those garments are modeled by people of different sizes. I can see what a garment I make for myself will look before I purchase the pattern.
AND I agree with other commenters – no need to show so much skin – although this is a “French” pattern so…
Cynthia Petrick
The dress looks cute but could the model please just stand. It’s hard to tell if the dress can even stay on your shoulders.
Laura Mcveigh
Crack of dawn and two tickets from the self appointed modesty police.
Scottie Hugghis
Same here. If you want to advertise the dress, do just that. Im not and sure many others are not interested in your skin poses. BUG TURN OFF. This should have been edited OUT! Editors where are you here?
Prudence Carlson
I really love your fabrics and appreciate the tutorials and great customer service.
Please stop posting provocative photos to sell your dress patterns.
I don’t appreciate it.