I’m excited to finally get to share my Orsola dress. It’s By Hand London‘s latest pattern release.
The Orsola dress is a true wrap dress. I sewed mine up in a beautiful linen from The Fabric Store.
I made a few small modification to my Orsola dress. I graded between sizes, sewing one size larger through the bust and blending to a smaller size through the waist and hips. I lengthened the bodice by 1/2 inch and the hem by 4 inches.
The bodice in the dress pattern has bust darts and waist darts. I’m an A-cup bust on a good day so I removed the bust darts, just keeping the waist darts for shape. It worked perfectly.
After toiling the skirt, I also removed the front darts. My body is angular rather than curvy and I didn’t need the extra fullness through the hips that the front darts provided. I also skimmed a few mm off the upper hip curve, just to reflect my shape better.
The result is a super comfortable and elegant dress that I’ve been wearing a great deal. It fills the ‘smart casual’ gap in my wardrobe perfectly. If I had more linen in my stash, I’d be inclined to sew up another!
This is gorgeous! I’ve loved every version I’ve seen of this dress and this is one of those times I really wish that an indie pattern was graded a little larger! Did you ever think of a ltwt denim or chambray for this? It would be as stunning as this one is!
Thanks Carolyn! I agree, a light denim or chambray would be lovely in this dress. It is just the right amount of “dressy” but still great and comfy to wear.
Stunning dress.
It’s so beautiful, Debbie. I had been waiting for your blog post ever since I saw your photos of it on IG. I have this same linen but in caper green, you’ve inspired me to try this pattern.
Such an elegant frock Debbie, that colour on you is terrific.
Thanks for reviewing this. I’ve been thinking of buying this pattern and I was hoping someone would review it in linen since that was my vision for it as well. Yours turned out great!
I too like the colour on you, and it looks lovely in linen!
Beautiful dress, Debbie!! It’s the perfect style for you and I love that gorgeous linen! I have to try this pattern…..