Olympia Dress

From the very first sketch I saw of this beautiful dress in the Love Notions* newsletter, I just knew I needed the pattern! It was my first testing experience with Love Notions* and I was very impressed at how thorough their testing process went. Tami was so determined to get the fit perfect we actually went through 9 versions before getting to the final pattern!  I was also super happy to be able to squeeze the bodice out of the last of the stunning Summer Garden print from Lulus Fabrics, the fabric and pattern just works so well together! 

Pattern Details

The Olympia Dress* is an intermediate rated printable PDF pattern from Love Notions* in US sizes XS-XXXL (31-47" high bust). The bodice is fitted with a small amount of negative ease to the natural waist, then a nice A-line skirt in knee or maxi length.  5 sleeve lengths from sleeveless to full length are also included and the extra bonus is that if you normally need a bust adjustment, the hard work has already been done for you with sewing cup sizes B-DD (worked out on the difference between your high and full bust measurements) included ready to get straight on with the sewing!  The Olympia is designed for light to medium weight knit fabrics with at least 25% stretch and good drape. 

There are up to 25 pages to print and tape together depending on size or options you choose.  The pages are non trim and simply butt up together.  For A4 paper I found I needed to trim between rows but not side to side.  You also get an A0 copy included which you can have printed at a copy shop or similar if you prefer.

The Olympia Dress* pattern includes measurement charts for high bust, waist and hips, finished measurements, cutting layouts and page print guide. It has both colour photos and illustrations throughout and lots of tips on how to adjust the pattern to get the best fit (lengthen/shorten/combining sizes etc). The pattern pieces themselves have layers and all sizes have a different line colour and style so however you're printing, it will be super easy to assemble and cut.  

It requires between 1.4 - 4.4 metres (1.5 - 4 yards) of 60" wide non directional knit fabric and if you choose to add the front zipper, a small amount of suitable weight fusible interfacing and a 7 inch zip.  

My Version

Following the measurement chart, I made the XS-B cup sleeveless dress with knee length skirt.  I used some beautiful brushed poly from Lulus Fabrics for the bodice and some viscose elastane jersey for the skirt.  I left the arm bindings as a band and cut off the attached pocket pieces from the skirt pattern but other than that, followed the pattern.  The collar and facing are all built into the font bodice pattern piece which is very clever but can be a little tricky to sew, hence the intermediate rating of the pattern. Nevertheless, if you follow the instructions and take your time, you should be able to make it without problems.  It took me around 3.5 hours to make from printing to finished. 

​How does it fit?

The fit is generally good.  The length of both bodice and skirt are perfect for me, the amscyes sit nice and flat without digging or gaping, the neckline lays flat at the front and hugs my neck without pulling at the back, the 'V' is nice and modest on me.  There is a little winkling of the main fabric around the collar in these photos which upon inspection of the dress seems to be caused by me not quite clipping far enough before attaching the collar to the back and the wrinkling seen in the above photo at my upper bust/amscye is not there normally either, I had to drive to go get the photos done and didn't have a mirror to check the dress after I'd changed into it! 

Tester Inspiration

For more inspiration in all sizes and options, using a wide variety of fabrics, check out some of the other testers versions in the listing HERE* or the Album in the Facebook support group HERE (You may need to join the facebook group HERE before being able to view the album)

​Project Cost

Full price pattern - (£8.04) $10  - I received the pattern for free in return for testing
Fabric Cost (based on 60cm of DBP at pre-order price and 125cm of viscose elastane skirt fabric) - £14.57 ($18.13)
Notions & Thread - £1 ($0.80) 

Total Cost - £23.61 ($29.38 USD)

Cost to make each additional with similar non designer fabric around £15-£16 ($18.67-$19.91)
​
The Olympia* is on release sale for just $8 (£6.43) until midnight 2nd April (Central time) only!

​The Verdict!

A truly lovely dress with so many ways to make it up, I will be making more of these over the summer for sure.  I also really fancy making a work suitable version or two, there are some amazing examples of work suitable Olympias in the Facebook support group. 

​Related Blogposts

Lotus Blossom Blouse by Love Notions

Marbella Dress by Itch to Stitch

To buy the Olympia Dress pattern, click HERE!*

Affiliate links are included throughout this post marked with an asterisk '*' it costs you nothing extra but means I get a few cents if you buy the pattern after clicking through.  I would love it if you could use them if this post has inspired you but feel free to navigate there yourself if you prefer! All opinions expressed on my blog are entirely my own. Thanks, Sarah