Flora / Vincent dress

the Vincent dress (BHL Flora pattern)
Hey! How are YOU? I have finally made a Flora! It's taken me a while, and it made me break my no-more-new-pattern-buying ban when By Hand London announced they were moving to PDF format only. I snapped up a paper copy quick sharp!

This fabric was also an unscheduled lunch break purchase months ago. When I finally came to using it, I couldn't decide between making a Flora or a full-skirted off-the-shoulder dress. You can see I chose Flora, but I do have LOADS of this fabric left, and I'm planning a pair of Colette Clovers or similar cropped trousers with the leftovers! 

The fabric does have 3% stretch, and is a lovely weight. The stretch didn't cause me any bother, I lined it in a non stretch cotton to keep it in check and added interfacing along the invisible zip opening, and all was fine!

I love the silhouette from the back!


My measurements matched up really well with the finished measurements for a size 16, so I went for it with no toile. Silly me!!!! I had to take the side seams in 3/8" on each side, and the fit around the bust and particularly under the bust isn't spot on (yet). I also feel the waistline is wanting to ride up at the front, although I'm not sure if that's just an optical illusion cause of the hi lo hem!! Anyway, I am going to properly work on the fit of this pattern before I make another. I need to go down a size and do an FBA I think. 

HOWEVER my quick fix of taking it in at the side seams saved this dress and I actually really like it.

I've gotta be honest, I wasn't sure whether I'd like the high tank bodice on my body. I thought it might make me look bigger or saggier in the boobs. But I don't think it does. I feel pretty fab in it actually! 

Similarly, wasn't sure of the hi lo hem before I made this, but I bloody love it on the finished dress! Whoop! 

Can you tell I like this dress?
Not much else to note, except I had to shorten the tab straps by quite a bit (this is pretty standard for me). And I really like the slightly unusual bodice construction, it's very neat and tidy. 

In other news, I've had a sewing blog for over a year and a half and I have never done a spinning picture to show off a full skirt. I know. I thought perhaps I'd get my blog taken off of me or something if I continued to defy the rules of full skirt photography so I did me some twirly shots, which was a great idea, mainly because it resulted in gems such as this picture:


The height of glamour. 

I had a laugh taking these and even more of a laugh sifting out the hilarious "oh God, no one's eyes can ever see that" pictures. 


Right, I'm off. I was hoping to make the Made Up Initiative deadline and have a lovely stripey Simplicity 1873 to show you very soon, as per my pledge. I'm still toiling (having learned my lesson!). I'm hoping the dress is going to be a good one, although I've come to terms with the fact that I probably won't get it finished in time for the deadline. It doesn't matter, at least I have supported a fantastic cause, that's what's important. Also in the pipeline (currently just an idea) is a coat! So I've got lots to be getting on with. Plus all my teaching jobs start back this week so I have much less self indulgent Marie time! Better get sewing and planning!

Ta ra xx

8 comments :

  1. beautiful, I love the shape of Flora. I've planned it for my next dress to make and trying to decide If I will do the hi-lo hem ;o)

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    1. Lovely! Hope it goes well. I feel like th hi lo hem makes it more dressy somehow? also if it helps I am 5' 5", and was initially worried the front of the skirt would be way too short. I don't mind it in the end, but if you're tall it's worth keeping in mind that the front ends up pretty short! X

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  2. Oh that fabric is so pretty! I've got this pattern in my stash now and am contemplating it for a wedding next year, I'm not sure I can pull off the high/low hem but you look fab!

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    1. Thanks Zoe! I love the fabric too, glad I've got leftovers!! I spent ages deciding which way was up though... the tulips point all different ways but my eye seems to be drawn to the upside down ones whichever way up the fabric is! Good luck with your Flora, perfect for a wedding!!

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  3. Oh, but you wear dresses beautifully! This is just lovely; a perfect match of fabric and pattern. And that's some pretty fine twirling too!

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    1. Ah thanks Danielle! Pleased with it! Twirling pictures feel ridiculous to do but often amusing!

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  4. This is gorgeous! I love the neckline, the hi-lo hem and the fabric. So, that's basically the whole dress! Yey to the twirly photos, that skirt crys out for them. And good luck with your Made Up pledge.

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    1. Thanks Lynne! I love it too!!! I have missed the Made Up deadline, I decided to take my time with the dress I'm making since the fit needed a bit more work. I'm sure it'll be done soon! x

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