Here at the CSC, we talk about “Secret Pajamas” a lot. Secret Pajamas are those garments that are so comfortable that you feel like you’re wearing pajamas out in public. Usually, Secret Pajamas are knit garments, and although I love my super comfy knit dresses, I was thrilled to recently discover a woven Secret Pajamas pattern–the Style Arc Lacey dress!
Pattern Name
Pattern Description from the Style Arc website:
“Slip into the fabulous Lacey Knit Dress. It’s easy to make and easy to wear. Lacey will work with either knit or woven fabrics. Sitting on the waist, Lacey has a slightly gathered skirt with side pockets. The interesting bodice has an extended shoulder line that creates a short sleeve that can be worn straight or rolled. The bodice has clever design lines that allow directional stripes or mixed textures.”
Size Range (with measurements): Style Arc sizes 4 (30″/77 cm bust) – 30 (58″/148 cm bust).
What size did you make? Having seen comments online about the dress running a bit large, I made a straight Style Arc size 18. This is sizing down one size from my bust measurement on the Style Arc size chart.
What are your measurements, height, and body type? (If reviewing a top or dress, bra size is very helpful for our readers.)
My current measurements are as follows:
- High bust: 42″ (106.7 cm)
- Full bust: 46.5″ (124.5 cm)
- Waist: 42.5″ (108 cm)
- Hip: 46″ (118 cm)
- Height: 5’2″ (157.5 cm)
- Bra Size: 40DD
My body type is somewhere between a busty hourglass and busty rectangle from the front, but more of a busty apple from the side.
What adjustments did you make and how long did they take?
- I shortened the skirt by about 4″ (I’m 5’2″).
- I lined the dress because my fabric was a bit sheer.
What fabric did you use?
- I used a cotton-linen blend that I recently purchased from FabricMart Fabrics. This fabric was an overstock from the designer Milly and frayed like crazy.
What was the construction process like? Did the instructions make sense to you?
The construction for this dress was super fast and easy, even with the added steps for lining it. The sleeves are cut-on, and there’s no closure, so I was able to sew the bulk of the dress in a single afternoon.
How do you like the pattern’s fit? Do you think the design works well for your particular body shape?
I like the fit a lot. Sizing down is more in line with my personal style; however, I think it would have been nice and relaxed (and not necessarily huge) if I’d gone with the size chart recommendation–just more of a breezy/relaxed look.
Will you make the pattern again? If so, what fit or design changes will you make?
I would love to make this again. The skirt is just a gathered rectangle, so this dress pattern would work for border prints. I think it would also be nice to have a solid colored version.
Do you have any advice on this pattern for other curvy sewers? Are there any resources (blog posts, fitting books, tutorials) that helped you sew this piece up?
It’s a pretty easy dress pattern to sew up. There are a handful of curvy versions up on Instagram, so I paid attention to the comments about the sizing. As is the case with all StyleArc patterns, the instructions are pretty minimalistic, but there aren’t that many pattern pieces, and they go together intuitively.
Overall pattern rating
Size Range (1-5): =5 — See our standardized size range ranking for how this rating was chosen. In the case of this pattern, I chose “5” because this pattern goes all the way up to a 58″ (148cm) bust. I love that StyleArc patterns are so size-inclusive!
Instructions (1-5): 3 — StyleArc patterns basically show an order of construction and leave it up to you to figure out the details. However, this dress is simple enough that most experienced sewists likely won’t have any problems with it.
Construction Process (1-5): 5 —The construction process for the dress went very smoothly. I did not run into any drafting errors or other issues.
Final Fit (1-5): 5 — I am perfectly happy with the fit for this dress.
Overall Rating (1-5) + Explanation: 4.5 — Average score of all scores. The Lacey dress is a comfortable and easy dress pattern that can be sewn in a knit or a woven. I’m kind of surprised that we haven’t seen more versions sewn up!
Leanne says
Hi. Can I ask how much material is needed for this pattern
Jill says
The striped version looks fabulous on you! I made my test garment in a small print floral cotton, and it is my go-to dress for a hot summer’s day. It hangs loose and doesn’t cling, so it’s ideal for those days when the temperature is over 40 degrees Celsius.
Abbey says
Oh Michelle! I absolutely love this! I wouldn’t have given this pattern a second look, but you make it so pretty. #makeallthestripes
susan ford says
i would like to buy this pattern were can I buy it?
Michelle says
https://www.stylearc.com/shop/sewing-patterns/lacey-dress/
Patricia Hobson says
The fit is very good and those stripes I love it.
I am much the same measurements as you are so I am very pleased to see a dress like this.
I usually go for a plane shift dress.
Patricia Hobson says
You look very good in this dress the fit is good and I love those stripes and colour.
You are more or less the same measurements as I am.
Well done its fab.
Ashlee says
You look great in this dress, and your version is fab, but when I made one of these a couple of years ago it was just not a look that worked on me, I felt frumpy and have never worn it out. Perhaps it was my fabric choice, or maybe the high neck? I normally adore StyleArc patterns. This has reminded me that I should go back and alter what I made and see if I can make it work, as yours is great.
Jess, fat.bobbin.girl says
I love this pattern- I have a pink striped linen version, which is one of my go-to summer dresses!
I’d like to make a top or peplum top out of the pattern, because the sleeve and bodice is so perfect for playing with stripes!
Dee says
This looks so fantastic on you and these stripes are just perfect! I wasn’t interested in this pattern before but now I think I need to give it a try.
Marly_in_AZ says
I LOVE this dress! I’m glad you reviewed it. I passed right by the drawing. I’ll have to take another look at it. The sleeve looks a lot shorter on the drawing than on you. The play on stripes is a highlight on the style.
Pattie says
It looks great on you! I would not have looked at it seriously had it not been for your review. I have one question that has been asked “did you lengthen the sleeve?” Another “how easy would this be to lengthen the skirt to ankle length?” We live in the south so we can go longer in breezy things and the longer length would be a great going out to dinner staying cool yet covered up in the Air Conditioning.
Michelle says
I did not lengthen the sleeve, but I’m short, so sleeves tend to run long on me. (I actually thought about shortening it.)
The skirt itself is just a gathered rectangle, so I think it would be pretty easy to lengthen it.
Judy Hacker says
The dress looks SO nice on you. Did you lengthen the cut-on short sleeves? I like the look of yours and want to copy it. I think I might want to add more width/gathers in the skirt to cover my ample fanny. Is it easy to get on and off? With no zipper to open it up I wonder if I might want more ease. Comments? Thanks for your dress and write-up.
Michelle says
Thank you!
No, I did not lengthen the sleeves–I’m just short, so that’s why they look long. The skirt is just a gathered rectangle, so I think it would be easy to make it wider and and more gathers. And yup, it’s perfectly easy to slide on and off with no closure. No more difficult than a t-shirt.
Joyce says
I wouldn’t look at this pattern twice if I hadn’t read your review. I love it on you and your shape is similar to mine. Thank you for putting it out there, I’ll keep this dress in mind, I’m thinking linen, floating through summer’s hot days
susan ford says
i would like to buy this pattern were can I buy it?
Emma says
I’ve made this pattern several times – I love it! I’ve made it with linen, and I made a lovely navy broderie anglaise type lace and wear a slip underneath, and it’s a very nice going out dress. It’s the type of pattern that can be for the beach or, in a different fabric, for the opera! I love your version too! The only adaption I made to it was to lower the neckline a little, as I have a big bust and narrow shoulders and find a more scooped out neckline more flattering.
Michelle says
Your versions sound lovely! I may play with the neckline for future versions, but I wanted to make up the pattern as-is for the first go-around. I want to make one in a solid color, too.
Anna Krista says
This looks great on you! You’ve inspired me to give this patten a second look. Might have to stuff it into the queue…
Laura Casey says
Love this on you……now I want one!
Lodi says
SO cute, and it looks SO good on you!
Dana Tougas says
This dress looks so great on you! The stripes and the style really go well together. Thanks for sharing!
Michelle says
Thank you! The pattern pieces actually include suggestions for stripe direction, so that helped me pull everything together.
Lois says
I have this pattern ready to sew out of a rayon batik.
Maybe this is the kick I need to just do it!
Michelle says
Rayon batik would be a great choice for this dress! It’ll be soooooo comfortable!
Gillian Whitcombe says
Dang it! I’ve been eyeing this pattern for ages, even though I normally dislike gathered skirts. Why did you have to look to cute in it???? (Seriously, love it in those stripes and the green with your red hair is gorgeous!)
Michelle says
DO IT!!! Seriously, even though it’s a woven, this dress is right up your alley. And the gathers aren’t that bulky.