Partly because of the colour. And partly because the designer is also French Navy. Truly!
So, recently I discovered Sarah of french navy .. she has a chic, pared back style; easy, casual, uncluttered, slightly sporty, one that I love and very much can relate to; and it was exciting to see that she has lately decided to dabble in a little pattern designing. Her first pattern, the Orla dress, is a free pattern, I decided to give it a whirl; stat! hied myself over to her site, printed it out… and boom! Made it!
Fabric; a piece of thin, lightweight cotton drill given to me by my friend L when she was doing a big clean out out of her garage and “discovered” a large stash of fabric… I was so thrilled that she offered it to me! #insanefabricaddict Don’t you just LOVE friends like that?! She’s like, what IS this pile of junk? hey maybe my friend Carolyn would like it… 😉 So my fabric was free too. Basically, apart from the invisible zip, my dress was fabulously FREEEEEE!!!!! #miser
The Orla is a super quick and fun little pattern which is exactly what I wanted to cleanse my palate, so to speak, after my mad Christmas making-fest… Featuring a gently fitted bodice, rather pert short sleeves, which I think I would be rather nice in elbow length too; a highish waistline, and with a gathered rectangle skirt. I think the low scooped neckline is really lovely, it’s my favourite thing about the pattern. I added 3cm in length to my skirt… just because I thought the gathered skirt gave it a rather young look and I’m.. well, you know. not. Hehe, to be honest I agonised over the length of this skirt, you don’t want to know for how long.. at least as long as it took to make the whole dress. I pinned and tried on, contemplated; re-pinned, re-tried on, re-contemplated… I finally settled upon keeping some extra length that I’d added while cutting out, but I’m still partially tossing up the idea of re-hemming it shorter again. Man, I am SOOOOOO indecisive sometimes, I drive myself batty… I think I’m going to be ok with this length… FOR NOW, she intones, dramatically. I may or may not change it up on a whim, whenever. But maybe not. Might do, though.
Oh, I added inseam side pockets. Goes almost without saying, yeah? Everything’s better with pockets!
The neckline is finished with a bias cut strip, topstitched on the outside, and I added a hook and eye closure at the top. Normally I’m sloppy about that sort of thing but every once in a while I rouse myself to add these proper little extra touches.
oh HELLO you gorgeous thing.. yes you are a BUNCH more interesting than some old sewing details yes you are you big boo-fful fluffy ol’ booffy booff you… (cuddles ensue)
Ahem… So yes; now I have a new, sorta minimalist little frock, to be dressed up or down as the occasion demands. Knowing my lifestyle, most likely down. hehe. Seriously, at this time of year I LIVE in easy, just throw-it-on little dresses, and this is a great new colour for my current wardrobe too. It’s nice to have a few different silhouettes to choose from too and this one is a little different from my current crop of sack-like summer dresses; more fitted, loosely-waisted, with that low scooping neckline, feels a bit more “classic”. Hey, no judgement, I love my shapeless sacks too! but just that it’s good to have some variety.
And I’m looking forward to seeing what Sarah designs next!
Details:
Dress; the Orla dress by French Navy, in french navy cotton chambray, a free pattern available here
Hat; Vogue 8844, in ivory corduroy, details and my review of this pattern here
location; Eagle Bay, Western Australia
I love your dress and think you got the length just right. The navy fabric is lovely and free makes it even better 🙂 Love the gorgeous puss-cat too. Is he/she yours?
thanks Kathy, and yes, that lovely old lady is ours 🙂
Love it! Great colour on you.
It’s a nice look – I think the high waist line is what does it. It’s nice and cool to wear, as well, I imagine. And it will go with one of your little cardigans later on. I’m not normally a fan of this sort of dress, but it doesn’t look too girly at all. Sigh, another thing on the list. Happy New Year, Caroline.
This is adorable, or should that be adORLAble!! Sorry, can’t help myself sometimes. The navy colour really suits you and the style is perfect for our current weather. I hadn’t heard of this designer, but I’m off to check her out…
Oh I love this!! *Runs to download pattern* It really is lovely in that denim look twill. I like the sleeves for a bit of shoulder protection in our harsh sun. And you’re not the only one. Hemming usually takes me as long as the whole garment took. Same thing everytime – up, down, up, down. Then one day I measured a few of my me-mades and realised that bizarrely every single one measured at 35 inches from the shoulder (I think). Only problem is that as I’ve aged that hem length now seems obscenely short. Back to the damn drawing board – up, down, up, down, LOL!
This is lovely carolyn! You look so chic and stylish! It looks like the perfect summer dress patten for me for work so I’m off to check it out now. I love the fabric you’ve used too.
The dress is lovely….but what a beautiful beach!
thanks so much Vicki! yes, this is a particularly beautiful beach. I feel so lucky that I can get to come here lots 🙂
I think the length is perfect….such a simple dress that will probably be worn out due to its versatility.
thank you so much Rianna! I think I’m happy with the length now too 🙂
Thanks for sharing Carolyn. I think you got the length just right, it looks great. I think I´ll add it to my list for spring sewing. Glad to hear someone else likes a good faff about these things. Thanks. x
I love the easy, casual style of the dress. The choice of navy chambray is very nice. I like the length on you. Happy Sewing.
Just found your blog and loving dipping back in time. Love this dress and will download the pattern soon. Will add pockets of course. Always pockets!
thank you so much Cat! Yes, you simply cannot go wrong with adding a few pockets!! 😉
So pretty, and thanks for the links. Love casual styles!
Thanks for the link to the pattern. As it happens, I pinned one just like that to an inspiration board yesterday and now there’s one available for Freeeeee! The color is beautiful on you, Caroline, and like someone else said earlier, it will go well with your cardigans when the weather turns cooler.
thanks so much Barbara! I reckon it would be good in winter too, just with tights and a cardigan. It’s a sweet little style 🙂
The fabric in the photo almost looks like a light denim or maybe it’s just my eyes since that’s been on my mind a lot – a nice denim dress! I always wear hats so I was keen to read your review of this hat pattern as well. Hard to find GOOD hat patterns! Your dress and hat and walk along the beach makes me sigh with longing here in COLD CANADA 🙂
thank you so much Kathleen! It is like a light denim, but quite lightweight and flowy and a bit floppy, if that makes sense. I hope you’re keeping snug and warm and well in your wintery weather 🙂
This looks amazing on you. What a versatile pattern, and you made it sing.
thank you very much Brenda! it is a nice little pattern, quite simple and neat 🙂
Perfect little summer dress in a lovely color. I like the length as it is and now that I’ve seen it with pockets the dress without pockets would look to me unfinished. I downloaded the pattern and will try to make it for my daughter when our summer comes. I love this casual style too, I actually recently bought an old Burda magazine – 2/2011 for a similar dress pattern 🙂
This dress is amazing! I love the blue on you, and the current length is very nice. Though I’m sure a bit shorter would look just as terrific on you.
I raced right over to French Navy and downloaded the pattern. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
I think the length is perfect! This is just the dress to put on anytime for anything. Lovely!
A lovely little dress, and your hat is wonderful, too!
thank you Andrea! xx 🙂
Love it! I’m another hem length ditherer…it’s AMAZING the difference it can make! (Mind you, I find that with sleeve lengths too.) Like the general consensus here, I believe you have yours spot on! Cheers from Brizzy! 🙂
thanks Kathy! You are right about the sleeve length, it can make such a difference to the sophistication of a dress!! I’m dreaming about the sleeves on this at about elbow length, I think that would look really cool 🙂
Gorgeous summer dress. I too am off to download the pattern.
thanks Marion! I hope you like it too! 🙂
Perfect dress, perfect length, perfect price , and perfect pusscat. All in all? Perfect!
it is lovely on you!! just the right length and great additions, pockets etc. and I would never have known about this lovely designer, so thank you!!
thank you Melody, and you’re welcome! I’m waiting with bated breathe to see what Sarah comes up with next! 🙂
It’s a cute little pattern, I can’t believe it’s free! I’ll have to download it for when I don’t have to consider nursing access in the things I sew anymore. That also looks like some lovely fabric for the price, lol.
This is such a cute little summer dress! I immediately downloaded the pattern-wow, I can’t believe it is free! I envy you at the beach right now. We had a bit of a winter storm here in Oklahoma last Friday, receiving 3 inches of snow.
My kinda dress – just downloaded it and will peruse the length for about as much time as you but I am a shortie of course so who knows! I want one NOW but snow is forecast for the weekend…at least there will be sewing time! Jo x
A great looking dress and the colour is gorgeous.
Great dress, this is totally my shape and color 🙂 Your friend sounds awesome,you picked her well 😉
I always enjoy seeing what you make – your finishing skills are grand! But what made me comment today was the bit o’ silliness with the cat. I really did laugh out loud; I have a firm belief in the positive powers of silliness…and I love cats too. Lovely photo of your moggy. Thanks for all your posting, now back to lurking.
Super cute lovely little summer dress! Great length as it is…. or you could definitely go shorter with your figure!! Either way…. looks fab! 🙂
Love your photography!! Reminds me of artist Alex Colville’s paintings!