NEW :: The Bella Dress Pattern
Ever since we released our Gabby Dress, we’ve had sooooo many requests for a long sleeve version that we decided to create our newest pattern, the Bella Dress.
Like Gabby, she’s flowy and a-line but Bella also features a centre back seam, slightly wider neckline and is more fitted around the bust. There’s also the option to add pockets (not recommended for lighter fabrics e.g. silk) which feature a sweet little stitching detail at the top. Also, no zips or buttons – just throw her on!
Tiphany’s black version is made up in our all time favourite Bedford Black (other colours here). Hers was shortened by 2″.
Colette’s version (below) is this gorgeous Bedford Olive. Other suitable fabrics include woven such as medium-weight linen, satin backed silk, crepe, viscose and cotton.
As you’ll see Bella also looks great when layered over pants. Even shirts! Margaret’s version (below) is made in our Graphite Wainscot and she’s wearing it over her white linen Robbie Pants.
And that, lovely readers, is Bella. The pattern comes in (Australian) sizes 6-16 and 16-22 and is now available in both hardcopy and PDF copy shop/print-at-home version. As you can see, it’s a comfortable and easy style, and if you make it up, don’t forget to share your pics with us by using the #belladress hashtag.
Colette and Lisa collaborate to bring you this here Tessuti blog. Follow us to keep your finger on the pulse of new pattern releases, reviews, tips, techniques and a healthy dose of love and appreciation for all things fabric and sewing!
Can I make this in a medium weight stretch fabric?
Hi Gail this Bella Dress pattern is for wovens only, as detailed in this blog post. You will need to look at our Frankie Dress, which would be more suitable for medium weight stretch fabrics or jerseys.
Cannot find Frankie Dress in the blog
To get the overall look ,
does pattern have to lengthen line
Considering this
for stretch fabric,
love your patterns.
Thank you for showing older ladies wearing your designs.
Inspirational.
For stretch look
Hi Denese,
janet has kindly added the link to our Frankie Dress blog post below.
We always include details and show in our patterns where it’s suitable to shorten or lengthen 🙂
I was thinking the same thing
https://www.tessuti-shop.com/collections/digital-sewing-pattern-downloads/products/frankie-top-dress-pattern
So so good! You guys always seem to hit the pattern-sweet spot! Thank you!
Your pictures are so oversize (large) that it is impossible to see what the garments look like. Please reduce their size as I’d love to view them.
Thanks for the feedback Mary. These were particularly large so I’ve sized down the format.
I wonder whether you have any pictures or suggestions about how this would be made in a slightly longer version. I am a bit older and don’t feel comfortable wearing such short skirts any more. Yes, I can wear it as a tunic with pants too.
Agree ,
is there
To lengthen line
provided in the pattern.
Area.
I like the longer look also.
Hi Denese and Esther,
We always include details on our patterns to show where to shorten or lengthen them .
Love this dress!!! I would love to make one up now but I am thinking linen isn’t the best fabric for winter. What other fabrics could I make it in that would fall nicely? Would a lighter weight ponti work?
I have just made this up and warn you to check the length before you start. I have made several Tessuti dresses and have always found them on the long side. But I am only 5’5″and this one is shorter than I would like. Apart from that it is a great pattern and I really appreciate the instructions with photographs of each stage. It has enabled me- a very self taught dressmaker- to make things I would never have considered before I found Tessuti.
Hi Fiona, As detailed on the Bella Dress product page the finished dress length is 361⁄2″ (93cm) for the size small. I’m 168cm and also 5’5″ and wearing the moss green dress in the blog post. You can easily length or shorten the dress from the hemline.
regards
Colette
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Has anyone made a lined version of the Bella dress? I want to make it in a lovely Mina Perhonnen linen fabric I bought in Japan but it is a bit see-through if I stand in the light. I am thinking of cutting a duplicate body (front and back) in a very fine cotton, basting it to the body pieces and then treating the two layers front and back as if they were one. Sleeves would be unlined and neck could hen be bound with bias strip as usual. Do you think this is the best method?
How did that work, Judith? I also find that looser-weave linen can be a bit transparent so I’d love to know if the method you tried worked out.
Hi, I’m thinking of downloading the Bella pattern.
Is it really 60 pages at 8 1/2 x 11? I just can’t imagine that it would take that much!?!
Hi Susan, it is a lot of A4 pages, best thing is to go to a copy shop and print it on A0. Otherwise the sticking together would be very tedious. Hope this helps!
How do you translate into US sizes
Hi Marsha
Best way is to do a conversion using any number of websites. This one works well – https://www.unitconverters.net
What is the amount of fabric required for say a size large
Hi Gayle. The fabric requirements are listed on the product page.
https://www.tessuti-shop.com/products/bella-dress-pattern
For size large we suggest 2.6m (112cm) or 1.85m (140cm)
Is it possible to make this in a more wintery fabric, like a lightweight wool? I love the cut and fit (I’ve made it in some beautiful Japanese cotton), but I’d like a slightly warmer version. Thanks.
Absolutely! A wool crepe or wool faille would work beautifully
Help! I need to understand the instructions for the pocket top-stitching: “Then, leaving needle down into garment, pivot back
around to sew at the same point at edge of overlocking”. Does this mean you do a double row of stitching, first in one direction and then turn around and stitch along the exact same line back to the side seam? Thanks for helping out!
to side seam.
Hi Mathea,
Yes that is correct.
Love this dress, just wish you did them in the larger plus sizes too.
Hi Anne. Our Bella Dress is available in extended sizes 16-22 here
Are there any bust darts in the Bella dress.
Our Bella Dress has incorporated bust darts, but have been pivoted out, into the flare of the dress.
Thank you 😊