Steph's Orchards Dress

Pattern Used — Orchards Dress by Vivian Shao Chen

The Orchards Dress features gather details at the front and back neck opening, that frame the neckline. These gathers provide bust shaping and comfortable ease, and the neckline is finished with a cute rounded collar. View A is a longer, tiered dress and View B is a short dress with a fuller skirt. Both views feature in-seam pockets. Steph chose View B with the straight sleeve expansion in our new Vintage Plaid Cotton Shirting - Woad Blue and used 3m.
Her measurements put her around a size 6 but she wanted a relaxed fit so sized up to a 10. This was a great move, as the fit turned out perfectly! Vivian also recommends sizing up when using the straight sleeve extension.

Steph is an advanced sewist and made a few small modifications to the pattern. These included lengthening the bodice by 6cm and averaged out five buttons along the new placket length. Instead of following the skirt patterns, she also adjusted the width of the skirt to make it into a full maxi-length, with a nice deep hem. Steph recommends cutting slowly and carefully when using a check pattern like this, to allow you to match the pattern as much as possible. She also added a tiny set of gathers at the head of the sleeve.

If you'd like to try this pattern at home, you can download it from the Vivian Shao Chen website here.

Fabric Used — Vintage Plaid Cotton Shirting - Woad Blue

Vivan designed this pattern for woven lightweight fabrics, which we have loads of in stores and online! Check out a few recommendations above, from top to bottom is our Midweight Warp Stripe Linen - Ivory / Red, Organic Cotton Poplin - Artichoke, Scattered Hibiscus Cotton / Viscose - Aegean Blue, Slubby Cotton Check - Hellebore and Organic Cotton Poplin - Navy