Gail Doane's Eloise


An elegant dress whose classic style has withstood the test of time

 

Enjoy nearly 4 hours of self-paced online instruction at the time and place of your convenience

Register and Get Instant Access

Everything you need to successfully sew Gail's Original Eloise dress

Come experience the methodical, personal, creative instruction for which Gail is renowned, all from the comfort of your own sewing space, on your own schedule, and at your own pace. With up-close video streams from multiple cameras, detailed printable instructions, and digital pattern downloads, you will be fully equipped for success. Vanquish the scourge of UFO’s (unfinished outfits) and reunite with the precious feeling of sewing a project to completion. With Gail as your guide, success is your destination.

Here's what's included with this class:

  • Nearly 4 hours of detailed video instruction from Gail
  • 26 pages of step-by-step instructions for sewing Gail's original Eloise dress
  • 6 sizes of Eloise dress Digital Patterns (Sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10)
  • Supply list of materials needed for the project

Detailed Instructions and Digital Patterns Included With the Video Class

Step-by-Step Written Instructions

Every detail, documented in words & photos

Digital Pattern Downloads 

Any size pattern, any time you want it

Sign me up, I want to Sew that Dress!

Register Now

With Gail Guiding You Every Step of the Way, 
YOU Can Sew this Dress! 

Gail's Modern Four-Camera Sewing Studio Gives You a Front Row Seat to Every Stitch

Eye-Level Speaker Shot

Gail speaks directly to the camera.

Overhead Long Shot

Watch Gail's hands work on the sewing table

Super-Close Detail Shot

See the fine nuances that make exquisite finishing details.

Machine-Mounted Shot

See Gail sew on her machine  with no obstruction

Twelve Comprehensive and Conveniently Edited Lessons That Will Take You From Start To Finished Dress

No Details Left Out, This Course Covers it All!

 

Course Overview: 

Lesson 1: Introduction & Sizing Discussion

  • Gail shows a completed Eloise dress and gives some background on the garment. Sizing and alteration are discussed.

Lesson 2: Cutting Guide & Pleating

  • Review of the cutting guide and an demonstration of rolling the dress front on a dowel, pleating, and steaming.

Lesson 3: Blocking the Dress Front

  • A close-up look at blocking and shaping the pleated dress front.

Lesson 4: Demonstration of Smocking Stitches

  • Using a close-up camera, Gail demonstrates the cable and the five-step trellis smocking stitches.

Lesson 5: Piping and Attaching the Front Yoke

  • Perfect this critical step in constructing the dress front.

Lesson 6: Preparing the Bodice Backs

  • Review a wrap-around lining method for preparing the bodice backs.

Lesson 7: Making the French Lace Collar

  • Learn how to shape French laces over silk organza and work with entredeux.

Lesson 8: Attaching the Collar

  • Perfect the placement, finish, and understitching of your French lace collar.

Lesson 9: Skirt Back Placket

  • Learn an all-machine method for constructing a sturdy skirt back placket.

Lesson 10: Back Belts & Side Seams

  • Construct your back belts using a vintage mother of pearl buckle, and French seam the side seams.

Lesson 11: Sleeve Placket, Sleeve Cuff & Setting in the Sleeve

  • Construct a menswear style sleeve placket, a piped shaped cuff, and insert sleeves into the bodice. Finish the armscye with Seams Great.

Lesson 12: Hem Finish, Buttonholes, & Thread Carriers

  • Demonstration of an all machine 1” growth tuck hem, machine buttonholes, and hand thread carrier.

Sew an Eloise Dress with Gail as Your Personal Guide

Register Now

Meet Your Instructor: Gail Doane

In the words of Classic Sewing Magazine: "Gail Doane is an internationally recognized expert in sewing technique and design, as well as a featured designer in Classic Sewing magazine. It’s the tiny details of sewing that are her recognizable signature style."

In her own words: Gail is "an heirloom sewing addict who is detail-oriented, but prepared to break the rules."

Gail brings to the classroom over 40 years of experience, having dressed seven children, and now an ever-expanding number of grandchildren, in beautiful heirloom clothing. Her work first appeared in Australian Smocking & Embroidery in 2000 and Inspirations in 2008.

Gail's Sewing Has Been Featured In Top-Tier Publications Across the Globe

Sewing class reinvented for the online age

#TheSewMustGoOn

The Highest-Quality Instruction

  • Watch Gail's masterfully experienced hands as they reveal every subtlety and nuance needed for each technique
  • Enjoy multiple camera angles including super-close up shots of Gail's sewing table and machine

The Most Convenient Experience

  • Leave the time, headache, and expense of travel behind and work from the comfort of your own sewing room
  • Retain access to this course for life, and reference back to it as often as you need so you can finish more projects
  • Stream Gail's sewing instruction onto the device of your preference making it easy to sew wherever you want

Sewing Class The Old Way

Travel to attend an in-person class held at a conference

 
What You Experience:
  • 20+ students crowded around a single sewing machine or table without a clear view
  • Stress between trying to record audio/video of the class or furiously taking notes so you can retain what your learn
  • Pack your sewing machine and lug it through airports and hotels to use it in class
  • Instructor barraged by Chatty Pattys asking personal sewing questions and using up precious class time
What you pay:
  • Flights $300
  • Hotel $200
  • Rental Car $150
  • Food $50
  • Registration $125
  • Total Cost $825

Sewing Class The New Way

Attend class from the convenience of your own sewing room

 
What You Experience:
  • High-quality, close-up camera shots from multiple angles with no obstruction
  • Convenient, recorded, videos you can review as many times as you need to get your sewing right
  • The familiarity of your own sewing room and the convenience of all of your at-home supplies
  • A constant flow of valuable information without interruptions or distractions 
What you pay:
  • Flights $0
  • Hotel $0
  • Rental Car $0
  • Food $0
  • Registration $129
  • Total Cost $129

Experience Sewing Class The New Way

Register Now

Previous Students are Raving About Gail's Online Classes...

“Worth every penny"

"Gail is Perfection Personified"

"I'll be signing up for the next [one]"

“This was having a front row seat!"

"Outstanding, so informative!"

"Money very well spent"

We Surveyed Over 150 of Gail's Past Sewing Students

Here's how they rated their online sewing experience:
  • Average rating for skill improvement: 
    4.77 out of 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Average rating for online format:
    4.93 out of 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Average rating for overall experience:
    4.99 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Willingness to recommend to a friend:
    4.96 out of 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wage War Against UFO's (Unfinished Outfits) Today

Register Now

Important Questions and Answers About This Online Course

The Heirloom Sewing Horror Story...

A search and rescue mission for confidence

One of the relentless challenges of heirloom sewing is feeling confident in enough different skills to complete a beautiful garment. Without confidence in each specific skill, you second-guess yourself over and over, barely moving forward, until you wake up one day and you’re sitting in your sewing room, staring at a closet of half-finished outfits racking your brain to remember what the satisfaction of completing a project feels like.

That doesn't have to be you!

Join us in waging war against UFOs (unfinished outfits) and register today!

Register Now