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Updated 12/7/2022. This is a pattern review of two views of Kate & Rose Giselle Dress Sewing pattern. I have 6 of the Giselle dress versions to share in this post. I love this pattern and will sew more of this wonderful maxi dress pattern.

I can’t believe IPM is nearly over – its been a blast so far and I have added some really great pieces to my evergrowing handmade wardrobe. The Pattern I chose for “1 Pattern 2 Takes” is Kate & Rose Giselle Dress Sewing Pattern.

Kate & Rose Giselle is a V-neck dress with a tailored, shaped midriff and gathers over the bust. Inspired by prairie and dirndl dresses, this pattern also hints at the flowing, boho styles of the ’70s.

Kate & Rose Giselle No. 1 – Nani Iro Blue Fabric

This is sewn using Kokka Nani Iro Cotton Double Gauze Fabric in blue.

Fabric

For this version I used a Nani Iro lightweight cotton gauze fabric that is delightful to the touch and feel. I sewed the empire line bust version with keeping it the shorter length by not sewing the gathered lower skirt panel.

Kate & Rose Giselle Dress Sewing Pattern No.2 – Art Gallery Fabric

This Kate & Rose Giselle maxi dress is a full on rayon bliss dress. I love how this turned out because it a fabulous sweeping sort of dress full of drama. The dark navy blue background with the strewn poppies give it a lot of animation which I found attractive. I used so scraps of Rifle Paper Co floral fabric left over from the Sew Different Flounce Dress sewing project to add segmentation that breaks the expanse of the darker main fabric.

Fabric used –

The main fabric is a rayon challis Art Gallery Fabrics called Poppy Memoire.

Kate & Rose Giselle Dress Pattern No. 3

Giselle no. 3 is another dramatic dress. The Lady McElroy Serengeti Plains creates a lot of interest with the panel print. The panel runs on the cross grain. I always enjoy seiwng with cotton lawn and this was no exception.

Fabric used –

Lady McElroy cotton lawn

Kate & Rose Giselle Dress Sewing Pattern No. 4

Fabric used –

I sewed this version using a viscose fabric bought from a small shop in Dewsbury during a Yorkshire Spoolettes meetup.

Kate & Rose Giselle Dress Sewing Pattern No. 5 & 6

Decided on this pattern as I have made a winter Giselle before here for Froctober. I love and wear this dress regularly. Making both dresses was stress-free.

Kate & Rose Giselle Dress Sewing Pattern Review – View A

Dress 1 is view A with the shaped midriff. I made it in linen. The linen was dyed Jeans blue using Dylon fabric dye. I am very pleased with the result.

I knew I wanted to use the decorative stitches on my machine to create a feature of what was otherwise a plain dress. So using my colour wheel I narrowed down to three colours which I auditioned on scraps and decided on mustard gold thread. It’s spun polyester from my stash – nothing fancy. While trying out the stitches it occurred to me that the stitches would look good on the V neck as well.

I played around with the settings and got a size of stars I liked. For the bias binding, I made linen binding but I thought how cute would it be to have some contrast floral binding instead and whoop whoop! A lovely inside with floral contrasts.

As much as I love my winter Giselle I have always felt that it needed pockets so for this one  I drafted some pockets to go in the side seams. To give them more support I drafted them so the top part of the pocket is also on the waist. I am hoping it will reduce gaping when the pocket is in use. For the pockets, leftover scraps from my Granville shirt were used – a fabric I love dearly. It is a cotton poplin so a good weight match for linen.

Decorative hem

The hem has three lines of star stitching. They are not the same size each gets slightly smaller. It is a teeny tiny detail but I love it. Which leads me to my top tips for sewing a decorative hem (it was a steep learning curve for me).

Top tips for sewing a decorative hem

1. Always start with a full bobbin. The last thing you want is to run out and have to lose your setting while you refill a bobbin.

2. At the end leave long thread tails so you can thread a needle and neatly move thread behind and then cut. Makes for a neat finish.

3. Steam, not press, but steam to set the stitches on both sides. It is a nice luxe finish. (less flat).

Not much else to say except that we were in Essex last weekend and took advantage to get some location shots ;-).

Giselle Dress – View B

Dress 2 is view B which is a sleeveless maxi dress with empire waist and tiered skirt.

The fabric is a delicious scrummy cotton lawn! Hello, new love of my sewing life!

Cutting into lawn = orgasmic!

Sewing lawn: orgasmic!

It is such a fantastic material to work with! I honestly don’t know why it has taken me so long to get round to this marvellous fabric! Speaking of which I picked this up at Leeds market. At £7/m it was a splurge for me but those colours!

When I bought the fabric I had no idea what to do with it but when this challenge popped up the haze lifted! The only problem was I didn’t have enough fabric. The skirt would be fuller but I made do with what I had. It still looks good.

I used black satin bias binding for armholes and neckline. For the contrast empire waist, I wanted to add a bit of texture to it and used the decorative top stitching.

The only disappointment was the black contrast fabric which I purchased on eBay sold as 100% cotton poplin. But I don’t think its 100% cotton because when I used the cotton setting on my iron it burnt the fabric. I think its actually a polycotton. It is stiff and unyielding compared to the lawn. Ah well, you live and learn. It is still a fun dress. Lush to wear and so comfortable!

Verdict

I love these dresses and they are perfect for summery hot days. Now come on Summer I am ready and waiting for you! Pretty please come. We in the sewing community have made so many lovely things for you. Have you made something waiting for summer to come too?

Thanks ever so much for stopping by! Happy sewing everyone!