The Flora Dress Sewing Pattern is Here!
The Flora Dress has been at least two years in the making. I first came across a dress online that I liked and wanted to recreate. I made the initial pattern and virtual prototype in 2022, sewed the first physical samples in 2024, and continued refining the design until arriving at the final pattern that is now available to download.
Flora is designed as an easy-fitting dress with elastic shaping at the waist and sleeves. In recent years, because my weight tends to fluctuate, I have found myself gravitating towards garments that remain wearable through those fluctuations, whether through knit fabrics, use of elastic tapes, or belts. Over the course of developing this pattern, my size fluctuated from almost a size 8 to almost a size 12. All samples have been made in sizes 8 to 10.
The bodice fastens at the centre front with buttons, while the neckline can be finished either with bias tape (store-bought or self-made) or with traditional facing pieces.
The skirt comes in three length variations, while the sleeves have two length options. The mini, short, and midi skirt lengths measure approximately 18–20” (46–51 cm), 21–23” (53–58 cm), and 27–29” (69–74 cm) from the waist respectively, depending on size. These finish roughly above the knee, around the knee, and at mid-calf length.
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| Skirt length variations |
The long sleeve version ends around the wrist, while the shorter sleeve is designed as a push-up sleeve sitting above the elbow.
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| Long sleeve |
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| Push-up Sleeve |
The short and midi skirt versions also include optional inset pockets. While the mini version can technically be made with pockets as well, the construction method differs slightly and is not quite as straightforward. You can also omit the lower skirt tier entirely to create additional dress and blouse variations.
Flora PDF sewing pattern is drafted for lightweight woven fabrics without stretch. Since the dress is unlined, opaque fabrics are recommended. Fabric choice greatly affects how the dress drapes and behaves, as can be seen in the tester versions. Fabrics with some drape work especially well for the long sleeve variation.
The very first sample, made in a printed white quilt-cotton-like fabric, was sewn in a straight size 10 for both the bodice (cup size B) and skirt. After sewing this version, I realised I could not comfortably lift my arms unless I pushed the sleeves up. To fix this, I lengthened the underarm of the sleeve pattern to allow for unrestricted arm movement, which also created a billowier sleeve shape. Interestingly, the act of pushing the sleeves up inspired what is now the push-up sleeve variation, and it has since become my favourite version of the design.
The second sample was made in a 95 GSM flowered crepe fabric in a size 8, cup B bodice blended to a size 10 skirt. The third sample was sewn in 120 GSM taupe satin using a size 8, cup B with a size 8 skirt, while the final green sample (which appears turquoise in photos) was made in a size 10, cup B with a size 10 skirt. At the time the photos above were taken, my body measurements were 34.5–37–32–40” (88–94–81–102 cm) for chest–bust–waist–hip respectively. The pattern includes generous ease, so if you fall between sizes, you may prefer sizing down.
The Flora sewing pattern comes in multiple print formats, including projector-friendly files for both light and dark fabrics.
The instruction booklet is so detailed that even testers who identified themselves as beginners were able to sew through the pattern with relatively few issues. The instructions are illustrated with diagrams rather than photographs and also include detailed body measurement charts and finished garment dimensions to help with sizing and adjustments. The instruction booklet also includes dedicated sections on selecting your size, blending between sizes, making adjustments, and even performing a full bust adjustment (FBA) if the largest cup option is still not sufficient.
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| Instruction booklet excerpt 2 |
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| Instruction booklet excerpt 2 |
If Flora is your kind of style, you can shop the PDF sewing pattern on the SewExplicit Patterns website. To celebrate the release, the pattern is currently on sale for the next two weeks (till 12th of June)
Below are photos of garments made by the lovely testers using the Flora sewing pattern by SewExplicit Patterns. Their sizes range from size 8 to 28. I am grateful to them for helping me refine the instruction set and the overall sewing pattern. Click on their names to link to their Instagram pages.
Carla
She made the Push-up sleeve + Mini skirt variation using linen fabric and chiffon for contrast.
Amanda
She made hers in midi skirt+ long sleeve variation. I do not recall her fabric type.
Lindsey
She made hers in light cotton fabric in the midi skirt + Push-up sleeve variation. She also inserted lace trim into the armhole seam
Beth
Caroline
Laneshia
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