Pattern Release / Marcel / All

THE MARCEL & MINI MARCEL ARE HERE!

EDIT: We have updated the Marcel to include three more sizes. The new size range is 0-30, with two bust cup options. Size charts have been updated below.

I have been so excited to get the Marcel pattern into your hands. I wore my earliest samples last summer and knew I wanted this dress as my 2020 Spring/Summer release.

It can feel dressy but also casual enough to throw over a swimsuit. I’m thrilled to have it in our library and available as a pattern for you + the littles in your life. I can’t wait to see you swish in your own me-made Marcel. ⁠
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This pull-over style dress and tank top requires no closures (YAY) and three length options. If you own other C+N patterns, you know I love a good pull-on dress. The tiered side panels add volume and movement, and they also provide cool opportunities for color blocking or playing with stripe direction.⁠

It’s a pretty easy sew with minimal fitting, and depending on what view you sew, it can come together pretty quickly. I can promise that wearing it feels so dreamy. Now let’s get into the details!

Woman in front of yellow wall wears a Midi length Marcel Dress

Fabric Source || Rayon Voile – Acid Jungle in Pink from Stonemountain & Daughter

The Marcel & Mini Marcel patterns will be on SALE through
Monday, July 13th. You can enjoy extra savings by grabbing the bundle.
No coupon code needed!

PATTERN DETAILS

The Marcel is a woven dress and tank top that is fitted through the high bust and loose through the bust, waist and hips. There are two dress views: View A is Midi length with five side panel tiers, and View B is Mini length with three side panel tiers. View C is the tank top that ends at the high hip.

Woman stands amid greenery wearing a chartreuse midi length tiered Marcel Dress

Fabric Source || Cloud 9 Rayon from Suppose

Line drawings show the front and back views of the tiered Marcel Dress and Tank Top Pattern

The Mini Marcel is almost identical to the adult version. The two differences are the midi length of the Mini Marcel only requires four tiers, and we have added elastic to the back bodice for a more secure fit. Like the adult version, the Mini Marcel also includes a tank top and the same two dress options (mini and midi).

Fabric Sources: (Left) Ruby Star Society Daydream Printed Rayon in Sunset (Right) Textured Tencel Viscose in Bluestone both from Blackbird Fabrics.

The pattern is listed as ADVANCED BEGINNER sewing level. The Marcel is beginner friendly with the tank top version coming together fairly quickly. Gathering each tier of the dress versions takes a little more time but is well worth the effort. The most challenging steps in the women’s version are gathering the tiers and understitching the bodice lining. There are detailed, step-by-step illustrated instructions to guide you along the way, and if you’d like more help, the Chalk and Notch Patterns Facebook Group is a great place to get support. Many of our testers are members there, so you have great resources if you ever need them.

We will also have a photo/video sew along to support this pattern next week. We’ll link to it here once it’s live. We are confident that even if this is your first time sewing a garment for yourself, you will have all of the support you need!

Woman wearing striped mini length Marcel Dress stands in front of trees

Fabric Source || Soft Washed Summer Stripe Linen Blend from Stylemaker Fabrics

Body Measurements

It is common for body measurements to fall across a few different sizes, and you can use the body measurements in the chart below to determine your size (or sizes). For this pattern, it is recommended to reference the high bust and full bust for the women’s pattern or chest measurements for the Mini Marcel. For the women’s pattern, there are two bust cup options: A/B and C/D. You can find details on determining your bust cup in the Size Chart section of the pattern.

Garment Measurements

The Marcel is fitted through the high bust and loose through the full bust, waist and hips. The high bust includes 1.5” (4 cm) of ease. There is 11” (28 cm) of ease through the full bust and 20” (51 cm) of ease through the waist and hips. Once you have the bodice and straps fitted, the rest of the pattern has plenty of wearing ease.

The Midi Dress is designed to finish above the ankle. The Mini Dress is designed to finish above the knee. The Tank Top is designed to finish at the high hip. 

To determine length, reference the finished length measurements for your selected version and compare them to your own desired length (note that Chalk and Notch Patterns are designed for a height of 5′ 7″ or 170 cm).

Women’s Marcel Size Charts: 0 – 30, 2 bust cups

Mini Marcel Size Charts: 12m – 12y

CUSTOM-FITTING ADJUSTMENTS

Basic custom-fitting adjustments are included in the Marcel pattern, but I have also put together a post with more details here. I hope you find all of the information you need to fit your Marcel Tank Top or Dress! It’s recommended that you sew a test garment of at least the bodice pieces to check the fit before proceeding with your final version. If you need additional help or have questions, please feel free to email me or join the Chalk and Notch Patterns Facebook Group – I’m always happy to hear from you!

Close up of woman wearing Marcel Dress and looking off into distance

FABRIC & NOTIONS

Main Fabric

The Marcel is designed with light to medium weight woven fabric in mind. A nice, fluid drape is ideal. Suggested fabrics include rayon challis or crepe, cotton lawn/voile, linen, and double gauze A minimum fabric width of 54″ is required when sewing the Midi Length (View A).

To help you start planning your Marcel, we have a fabric and ready-to-wear inspiration post here.

Fabric charts listed show the minimum fabric required. Depending on your print or fabric content, you may need more fabric to account for shrinkage, directionality, or pattern matching.

Woman stands in front of greenery wearing a midi length Marcel dress

Women’s Marcel Pattern Fabric Charts

Women’s Marcel Pattern Notions

  • Tricot fusible interfacing – 3/4 yd (0.75 M) of 60″ (153 cm) wide or 2 yds (2M) of 20″ (52cm) wide
  • Safety Pin or Turning Tool for turning your straps
Child stands in front of green wall wearing a blue mini length Mini Marcel Dress

Mini Marcel Pattern Fabric Charts

Mini Marcel Pattern Notions

  • Tricot fusible interfacing – 1/2 yd (1 M)
  • 3/8″ (1 cm) elastic – 1/4 yd (0.25 M)
  • Safety Pin or Turning Tool for turning your straps
Child stands in front of yellow wall wearing a midi length Mini Marcel Dress

TESTER PHOTOS

Our testing teams for the Marcel and Mini Marcel were wonderful! I never require styled photos as part of the test, but many sent over photos to share. Seeing a pattern on a variety of people and in different fabrics can be a valuable tool. We have both a Marcel Tester round up and Mini Marcel Tester round up on the blog now.

I’d love to see what you come up with, so if you share your makes, please tag @chalkandnotch and use the hashtags #marceldresspattern, #marceltanktop, #minimarceldress, #minimarceltanktop and #chalkandnotchpatterns so I can see your creations.

Thanks for checking out the new Marcel & Mini Marcel Patterns!

XO, Gabriela