Kat’s Diana tier dress

Sewing the Diana Tier Dress – A Challenge Worth Taking On

For my latest make, I chose the Ellie and Mac Diana Tier Dress pattern – and it turned out to be such a rewarding project. I went for the square neckline with flutter sleeves and the midi length option, although on me it ended up sitting more around knee length (which I actually quite like!). One of the great things about this pattern is the flexibility – there are several different design options to suit your style and sewing level.

What drew me to this pattern was the balance between complexity and achievability. As someone who has been sewing for a while, I sometimes find myself looking for a bit more of a challenge. It’s easy to fall into the habit of sewing the same tried-and-tested shapes again and again. This dress gave me the opportunity to stretch my skills a little, quite literally in some parts!

First square neckline

This was actually my first time attempting a square neckline, and I was pleasantly surprised at how it turned out. The flutter sleeves and gathered tiers added a nice level of detail, though they definitely kept me on my toes. The gathering, in particular, took some patience, and the pattern also includes the burrito method, something I’ve only tried once before. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but it’s a great technique to have in your sewing toolkit.

I made the dress using a 2-way stretch viscose jersey that cost me around £7.50, and the whole process took me about six hours from start to finish. When I think about how much a similar dress would cost on the high street, especially one that fits properly, I feel even more pleased that I made it myself.

One of the big reasons I sew so many of my own clothes is fit. I’ve always found it tricky to buy dresses off the peg, as I’m two sizes bigger around the stomach than I am on the chest. This often means shop-bought dresses are either uncomfortably tight around my middle or too baggy up top. Sewing gives me the freedom to create clothes that actually suit my shape, rather than trying to squeeze into someone else’s version of “standard”.