I went absolutely completely over-the-top nuts with this pattern and I’m very very excited about all the options! Introducing the Floreat dress & top! Floreat is an asymmetrical dress or blouse that can be made from woven or knit fabrics. You can make so much with this pattern that I could honestly write an essay about all the possible variations. We limited ourselves to 4 “views” but really with the knit pattern pieces, it’s over 8. At least.
Asymmetrical dress or top jammed packed with all the options
This design actually began about a number of years ago, and as time went on I kept thinking of more I could add to it! The idea for this pattern comes from my love of wearing fitted dresses with interesting details, but want to feel comfortable. I wanted a dress that could do both. Loose and fitted. With minimal seams to really let the fabric shine. Be comfortable and look effortlessly chic at the same time. Is it possible? I think so, and I’m really excited to tell you more about this pattern!
Explosion of extras!
There are so many options and features included in this pattern it’s almost difficult to explain them without making a giant list, so I think I’ll do that!
- Three facing options: knit neckline facing, woven facing for sleeved versions, all in one woven facing for sleeveless versions
- Two sleeve options: knit sleeve with long and short length, woven sleeve with long and short length. Plus sleeveless option.
- Three lengths: dress, blouse and cropped blouse
- In seam pockets for dress versions
- Two closure options: zipper or slit opening
- Two cinching options: Inseam sashes or separate belt
When it comes to fabric choice – we made this pattern in a lot of different fabrics and it looks great in all of them! For woven fabrics, any light to medium weight dress or shirting fabric will work well. For knit fabrics you can make this with knits with little stretch or a lot of stretch – it will just alter the silhouette a bit. More structured knits will result in a more structured garment. Very stretchy knits will result in a looser and drapey garment.
You can mix and match variations to make so many different garments. All views can be either sleeveless or include sleeves and all versions can be made from knit or woven fabric. There is an option here for every person in every time of life and every situation. We’ve got you covered for life in one pattern!
If you’re a new sewer and nervous about fitting dresses, this is also going to be a great pattern for you because it’s quite a flexible style with little fitting and no complex techniques.
How does it fit?
The thing that makes this pattern’s silhouette work is the careful fit. Floreat is fitted from the bust upwards and is loose and trapeze shape from the bust downwards. This means you get the best of both worlds. The close fit of the sleeves and upper body make this garment look put together, whilst the generous ease in the hip and waist adds comfort.
You can make the waist more fitted with the use of the included sash belt. This can be sewn either separately as a belt, or in the back centre seam, and is able to be used with Views A, B or D. By cinching the waist in you make the dress more fitted at the waist and leave the volume at the hemline.
The neckline is high but comfortable. The sleeves have enough ease to make sure that you never feel constricted.
This pattern includes an optional knit sleeve and neckband to allow you to sew knit versions. The fit on the knit versions is loose and comfortable, but not baggy. Obviously depending on what knit you choose to sew with the shape will hang differently.
View A long sleeved dress with waist ties
I love dresses with waist ties, but one of the things I hate are waist ties that come from the side seam. As soon as they are tied the front of the dress looks great, but the back looks weird and pulls. The focus is on the front view, without considering the back. I didn’t want that to happen with this dress. With Floreat, the ties are anchored in the centre back seam, which means when you tie them in the front the back is also cinched and looks equally flattering. But what if you’re not sure you want ties? That’s fine too! This pattern includes instructions for sewing the waist ties as a separate belt so you can change your look as desired. I’d really like to try a version with lengthened ties so that I can wrap them around and tie them in the back!
This is a dress for everyday life – you can eat food in it, be bloated in it- whatever, just adjust how tight the ties are and you’re good to go!
A long-sleeved Floreat is perfect for cold days or wearing to work – any time that you would like to be put together as well as warm. I had a complete lack of winter-appropriate dresses before this pattern. I love that this one can be worn in winter but isn’t too casual.
Even though we sewed up this sample in long sleeves, you can also make this dress in short sleeves for warmer weather!
I wanted you to be able to see what the knit versions looked like so we also made up the dress in knit! For the knit sample we sewed the short knit sleeves and used the knit neckline band. The ties are still anchored in the centre back. This is a lovely casual easy look and is the ultimate secret pyjamas outfit. You could probably take a nap in this dress and then throw on some heels and go out later! Ha! It’s a tee shirt dress that’s a little bit extra.
View B blouse with long sleeves
We sewed up our View B sample in the knit options, but this blouse would also be perfect for showcasing special woven fabrics that you don’t want to break up with too many seams. I have some Liberty of London cotton that are waiting to be this blouse! The back of the blouse is a regular blouse or tee length, with the front point dipping lower. The back closure can be a slit with a hook and eye or a zipper. Made in woven fabric it’s a no-fuss yet still dressy blouse that can be worn for a variety of occasions.
I’ve also been wearing the knit version knotted recently! The pointed hem works really well for knotting your tee, and the resulting tee is more fitted, with a lovely drape and ends up sitting at the standard tee length. It’s really cute!
I should probably mention that you can also add the waist ties to this version. Some of our testers did this, and it looks really amazing! The cinched-in waist with ties on a blouse is a really beautiful look and something i really want to try.
View C cropped blouse with short sleeves
I love wearing crop tops but I know sometimes it can be intimidating to show too much midsection. That’s what is great about this cropped blouse. It’s the perfect length, with a little extra length and detail in the front. The back sits just below a high waist waistband.
Though we include sleeves as the option for this version, it would be wonderful sleeveless as well! Just swap out the sleeves and facings for the all-in-one facing, and you’ve got a really cute sleeveless crop for hot days. Perfect for using up those offcuts of fabric that are never big enough to make anything with. I honestly can’t wait to try this soon -Perth is getting really hot!
I’m particularly excited about the crop top in knit fabric! I love knotting my tees when wearing high-waisted skirts and pants, but it can be a pain to get right and sometimes there just isn’t enough fabric to tie a good knot. The Floreat knit crop top is basically the ultimate knotted tee. That pointed end has enough fabric to allow you to tie the perfect knot, and the resulting top sits at just the right height for high-waisted garments. I’m in love I tell you! It’s the knotted tee of my dreams and I’m going to make a million of them.
View D sleeveless dress (or blouse)
This is such a fun version! View D is a sleeveless trapeze dress and is minimalist chic at its absolute best. I plan on swanning around in this dress all summer! This version includes an all-in-one facing and still has inseam pockets like View A (because we all love pockets!). For this sample, we wanted to show how easy it is to change the look of this pattern by sewing a separate fabric belt. Sewing the belt separately really leaves you with two very different ways of wearing this dress, and I love both!
The sleeveless dress includes the slit opening with hook and eye closure like the blouses- but this version and any other can also be sewn with a centre-back zipper if you prefer it. I love the slit back because I almost never have the right colour zip and hate running to the fabric store hehe.
Something I’d like to try for the sleeveless version is using a gingham or windowpane check cut on the bias – wouldn’t that be amazing?
All the sizes!
Floreat is available in my entire extended size range! Sizes 0-20 are available in printed and PDF format and Curve size 14-30 are available in PDF format.
Sewalong
This is a very straightforward dress to sew up, but we’ll still be sharing a full sewalong to hold your hand through all the construction steps! Take a look at all the Floreat posts below!
I am so in love with all the included options in this pattern and I hope you love it as much as I enjoyed working on it for you!
FLOREAT SEWALONG POSTS
Here’s the full list of Floreat posts and tutorials:
- Pattern tester round-up
- Inspiration + Ideas
- Waist tie and separate belt
- Center back: zipper and slit options
- Pockets and seams (sleeved dress and blouse versions)
- Neckline facing (sleeved versions)
- Sleeves
- Sleeveless version: facing and seams
- Hemming
- Bonus: Knit version
- Inspiration: Floreat as maternity
We absolutely love seeing what you make, so don’t forget to tag your crreations with #MNfloreat and @megannielsenpatterns when sharing on social media, and check out what everyone else is up to!
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