Soooo, we probably say this about all of our patterns, but... We think the Flora Dress just might be our new favourite! But ssshhhhhh! Don't tell the others...
Fundamentally feminine and universally flattering with her cinched in waist and voluminous pleated circle skirt (dipped or straight hem options), Flora is the definitive party dress.
Choose from two entirely different bodice variations: a classic sleeveless faux-wrap style, or the more demure tank bodice with her high square neckline and simple shoulder straps.
The world of fabrics is your oyster with Flora! Pretty much all wovens will work a treat, especially: cotton lawn, voile, upholstery cottons, brocade, silk habotai, silk crepe de chine, silk charmeuse, cotton silk, silk satin, wool tweed, wool crepe, eyelet lace and taffeta. One thing to bear in mind however, is that due to the width of the pleated circle skirt, you will need a fabric that is at least 60" or 150cm wide.
For the dipped hem skirt of Variation 2 the wrong side of your skirt will be visible so you may want to consider lining it.
Even more exciting is how organised we're becoming as we move up the learning process ladder - no waiting around for the Sewalong this time... The Flora Dress Sewalong will be commencing on April 2nd! Full details will follow very soon, in the meantime click here to buy your pattern, and go raid your stash!
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Elisalex de Castro Peake
Comments on this post (22)
Wow, what a great work! I love your unique article where you provide every detail about these lovely dresses. Thanks for sharing these details with us and I will try to make one using your pattern. And I would love to invite my blog page too, Churidar Neck Designs.
— Monia
So gorgeous! Definitely the next pattern that I buy!
— Emily Jayne
Hi girls,
great pattern which I got during the Knitting & Stitching show. Lovely to have met you, keep up the good work!
www.craftseverywhere.blogspot.com
— Patty
I love this dress! And I also really appreciate that you picked a more busty lady to showcase it, because now I can imagine how it would look on me, something that I sometimes struggle with :)
— Birgit
Hi Amy – yes it’s very easy to make the front of the dipped hem longer – simply cut the skirt front piece as if you were making the straight hem Variation 1 (as the skirt front is longer in the front) and continue with the skirt back piece as for Variation 2 so it dips longer in the back x
— Elisalex - By Hand London
Hi Stephanie – Sewalong starts April 2nd! x
— Elisalex - By Hand London
Love the dress.. as new to dress making after easy patterns but just wondered would it be easy to make dress longer on the dipped hem so it starts at knee oppossed to above?
— Amy Ward
Whens the sew along??? Please let it be soon I want to make two variations for my holiday in April! Love your designs, a massive fan ! Steph
— Stephanie johnson
loving the dress especially for newbies to sewing. would it be easy to make this dress a little longer do the dipped circle starts to fall at the knee opposed to above.
— amy ward
Looks amazing!
— Pips
Hi Noreen – our patterns are generally drafted to a B cup, and our gal Flora definitely has a generous rack! The faux-wrap is very versatile however, and easily made to look more (or less!) decent, either by securing the centre front with some hand stitches or a brooch, plus we will also be going through another stabilising technique during the sewalong (starting Apr 2nd), as well as the usual FBA and other adjustments. Hope this helps! x
— Elisalex - By Hand London
OH WOW! This is absolutely gorgeous! Seriously, my whole wardrobe is pretty soon going to be BHL dresses. This is awesome.
— Laura
I can’t wait to make her in maybe a black shiny fabric or even brocade.
Would be super glamorous.
— sewsarah
Those bodices are lovely.
— Velosewer
Saw and liked the mock wrap version but that square neckline – LOVE!!
— Elaine
The dress is lovely!
One question, though… The faux-wrap top seems very…revealing. What cup size are your patterns usually based on, and is the model bustier than usual? (I usually have to do a very large FBA on most patterns anyway, but the pictures don’t look like it would be possible to wear a bra in the dress – which is a no-go for me.)
— noreen
Ohhhh, I even like the dipped hem! (And I usually hate them.) I deeply want to make up this dress in a cotton print for swing dancing.
— Alice
I can’t wait! I bought 3 metres of wine coloured silk-satin in October, and now I know what to use it for!
Hmmm – might need some new shoes to match…
— Lisa
I just bought it. I’m hesitant about some of your other designs, because I don’t think they would work for me, but this. THIS is gorgeous. I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
— Michelle
Wow, this dress is gorgeous. I love that dipped hem. This might be my perfect dress pattern. I am definitely buying it!
— Katy
Oh, she’s a very pretty dress!
— Sarah
VERY CUTE! looks perfect for summer!
— kriston lion