The Orchid Midi Dress from Chalk and Notch patterns is here! Gabriela’s patterns are always much anticipated and there’s good reason. The Orchid Dress is no exception. I’m excited to be able to give a copy to one of my readers too!
The Orchid Dress is a woven faux wrap dress and features two different views. I sewed up the long sleeve version as we are quickly moving into fall here. The pattern comes in sizes 0-18 and I sewed up a size 6 without any modifications for reference.
I used a lovely mustard floral bubble crepe from Knitpop and am absolutely in love with how it turned out. This fabric is ever so slightly sheer but the drape and weight were too perfect. Wearing a slip easily solved the opacity problem and that color just gets me every time (be prepared for LOTS of mustard around these parts).
There is an optional step in the pattern to add a snap to the bodice to keep it closed. I chose to hand tack my bodice shut and I love that I could pick just how high I wanted it to be. I prefer more coverage and it was so easy to achieve with a quick little tack. After our initial photo shoot I was also able to easily hand sew my slit closed about 4″. This picture is just as the pattern calls for but it was a bit too high for me. As a pattern tester, I usually try to make my version as the designer intended and make my own alterations afterwards. In the future it will be an easy modification to make the slit hit at my knee as I prefer.
I have so many favorite parts about this pattern! One of them is that bodice gathering. I love it in the back and at the shoulders- such a great detail.
I’ve always steered clear of any kind of puff sleeve, thinking that they just accentuate my already broad shoulders. This pattern has totally converted me! I love the full sleeve and the slight gather at the top of the sleeve just adds to the dress’s femininity.
And you can’t forget about the pockets! I can’t live without them and these are the perfect size- big enough for your cell phone, a chapstick, and whatever you need handy.
I’ve already worn this dress multiple times so I feel like a real testimonial is in order. This dress just makes me feel pretty and like my best self. I think that Gabriela’s patterns have a way of bringing out the best in the wearer and this dress truly exemplifies that. I loved watching the testers dresses roll in and to see how lovely they looked on everyone. I can’t wait to wear this dress any chance I get (if you happen to see me at church in this every Sunday pretend you don’t notice, mmkay?!). The last piece that I sewed that made me feel this fantastic was my Cotton + Steel Fringe Dress that I’ve lovingly nicknamed my “pick-me-up” dress because I feel like I can conquer the world in it!
The Orchid Pattern is meant to pair and mix beautifully with the Parasol Jumpsuit from Ensemble Patterns as well. You can grab these patterns at a discount in a bundle and individually for a limited time! Do yourself a favor and sew yourself up a pretty new outfit. You’ll feel like a rockstar, promise!
Want to win your own copy of the Orchid Midi Dress? Simply comment on this blog post with your favorite thing you’ve sewn that makes you feel like a sewing goddess. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts! Winner will picked Monday October 8th.
SewSophieLynn 