The Alcott Dress is here! This fixed-wrap empire dress adds just a touch of romance and drama to your wardrobe, without sacrificing one bit on fit or comfort. Go boho-chic with View A featuring a full skirt and flutter sleeves, or turn up the volume with View B featuring long ruffled sleeves and a straight skirt with hem ruffle—or mix and match your favorite sleeve and skirt options to craft your ideal dress.

When a new pattern comes out, it’s so helpful to see it made by and modeled by real sewists, outside of a professional photo studio setting. So we asked a few of our testers and Cashmerette BFFs to sew up final versions of their favorite Alcott views, using fabric that was generously gifted to them by our friends at Imagine Gnats. These lovely ladies tested the original pattern for us, but these are not tester makes—these Alcotts were sewn up using the final pattern, to show you exactly what you can expect when you sew the Alcott for yourself. And they turned out quite good if we do say so ourselves!

Wish you could take one of these sewists’ dresses and put it directly in your wardrobe? Well, you can’t, but Imagine Gnats is offering Cashmerette fans 20% off all knits in their store using code ALCOTT20, which means you can make your own Alcott with the same fabric these sewists used. (Offer valid through Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at 11:59 PM EST.)

Okay, enough chitchat—let’s get this Alcott party started!

Rachel’s Alcott Dress

Rachel sewed up her Alcott using View B but left off the sleeve ruffle so that she would be able to layer over the dress at times. (You can do that too if you’d like! Isn’t sewing your own clothes the best?) She made it out of a tri-blend sweater knit from Imagine Gnats, and lined the bodice with cotton lycra from her stash.

Here’s Rachel in her new Alcott Dress, which she styled with a belt.

Rachel sewed her Alcott in a size 20 G/H. She also graded in the sleeves since she didn’t use the sleeve ruffle.

If you’re using a sweater knit for your Alcott, we recommend lining the bodice in a thinner fabric like a jersey, and if it is low recovery, going up a size at the bodice.

Here’s what Rachel had to say about this make:

The Alcott was the sew that I needed to get me back into loving clothes after having my son. I went up a bit in size from my usual because as Jenny said to sew for the body you have now and I needed this dress to remind me of that. The wrap bodice stays closed nicely because of the crafty hidden 1/4″ elastic and a little extra height on the side of the wrap, and the straight skirt has just enough swish but won’t flip up on these breezy Florida fall days. I used a tri-blend sweater knit from Imagine Gnats that feels so incredibly soft and has just enough body to hold the ruffle detail. I can’t wait to wear this dress for my company’s Christmas party and show the confidence that it has given me back.

We love how Rachel’s Alcott turned out! You can see more of Rachel’s sewing adventures at @sew.knit.make.

Andie’s Alcott Dress

Andie sewed an Alcott in View B with all its bells and whistles! Andie used this gorgeous floral dakota rayon/spandex jersey from Imagine Gnats that we absolutely LOVE and MUST HAVE FOR OURSELVES. (Sorry about the yelling, we’re really excited.)

Andie made the Alcott in a size 22, grading to a 28 at the waist.

Here’s Andie’s take on this new pattern:

I love that the bodice is fully lined and there is elastic at the neckline. The wrap bodice stays in place perfectly because of that elastic. I loved sewing it and the directions are so clear. The fabric I used from Imagine Gnats is so soft and perfect for the Alcott dress. The drape really works well with the ruffles. I am in love with my new dress and it’s so comfortable but also elegant.

Check out more of Andie’s sewing over at sewprettyinpink.com and on Instagram at @sewprettyinpink.

Michelle’s Alcott Dress

Last but most certainly not least is Michelle’s showstopper of a dress! Michelle sewed View B of the Alcott dress using a luscious tri-blend tencel/organic cotton stretch French terry from Imagine Gnats.

Since the French terry has a less stretch than jersey, Michelle went up a cup size from her usual 16 E/F, making instead a 16 G/H and grading out to a 20 at the waist as she usually does when she sews up Cashmerette patterns. She’s 5′ 2″, so she shortened the skirt by 4″ (the pattern is drafted for someone who is 5′ 6″). She also shortened the sleeves and sleeve ruffles to bracelet length based on her personal preference for proportions.

Here’s what Michelle had to say about her new Alcott:

I’ve been wanting to try the ruffle trend, although I generally tend to lean more towards minimalistic/cleaner designs. With the Alcott dress, the ruffles weren’t overwhelming, so it seemed like a “safe” way to test out the trend. The dress is a quick sew, even with the ruffle details. I like the lined bodice, and the elastic at the neckline holds everything in place. My closet lacked a warm “date night” dress for fall, and now my Alcott definitely is that dress!

We love Michelle’s new Alcott! You can see more of her makes on Instagram at @happily_caffeinated. Michelle also blogs over on the Curvy Sewing Collective.

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A big thanks to Rachel, Andie, and Michelle for all the time and work they put into making and photographing these Alcotts, and  a huge thanks also to the team at Imagine Gnats for their generous gift of fabric for each of our makers! Don’t forget to use code ALCOTT20 to save 20% on all knits in their store this week only.

If you’re ready to start sewing your first Alcott Dress, then let’s get to it! We can’t wait to see what you do with this new pattern. Be sure to tag your makes with the hashtag #AlcottDress on social media so we can marvel at your gorgeous new dresses.