Next up in our pattern review round ups: Orchidée! Let’s see what everybody had to say about the Orchidée dress and blouse . . .

For each review below, we’ve included some photos and snippets of the reviewers’ thoughts, but we encourage you to visit their pages to read their full posts.

You may recognize Raylene of Scarlet Stitch from her Passiflore dress review last year, and she is back with her own version of the Orchidée blouse. We love following Raylene not only for her beautiful garments, but also for her generosity in sharing her planning process for each project (Orchidée included!). She took advantage of the lined finish in this pattern to make her top in a lovely sheer cotton broderie anglaise fabric. Click here to read her full pattern review on her blog.

When I first saw the pattern diagrams, I got excited because of the bridal button feature in the front. I have always wanted to try it and I’m so glad I gave this project a go, because it turned out so well! . . . If you are up for the challenge to sew a lined garment, especially if you have been sewing for a while and would like to take your skills to the next level, then this is the project for you.

Raylene of Scarlet Stitch

We are back today with Griisette’s second review from this collection (see her Coquelicot review here), and this dress is just as delightful as her first. She made her Orchidée in a lightweight cotton fabric, and skipped the lining thank to the fabric’s opacity (the neckline is finished with a facing instead). Visit her blog to see the full photoshoot (fr).

The Orchidée dress is feminine, easy to wear in all situations, and is infinitely adaptable! . . . The gathers on the shoulders are really very beautiful, they remind me of certain dresses from the 40s and I find them very elegant! The depth of the neckline is perfect—it doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable. I love this pattern, and it might even dethrone the Magnolia dress in my heart (both of which are neck and neck in my top five!).

Griisette

How cute does Emily of Self Assembly Required look in Version B of Orchidée, paired with a high-waisted pair of jeans!? Emily made her version in a drapey Atelier Brunette viscose fabric, and lined it with a lightweight cotton/silk blend. She also removed 1.5 cm of length to accommodate her shorter height, and slightly narrowed the shoulders. You can read her full post here.

I chose to make the blouse version of the Orchidée as I could see it working really well with jeans or shorts for the summer as a contemporary way to wearing a more retro look . . . The bridal button loop was a new technique to me and although it was very fiddly to do, I really appreciated the final look it provided. (It might not be something I might use often but I like knowing that I know how to make it!).

Emily of Self Assembly Required

Esther of @ninetostitch always makes beautiful renditions of our patterns, and we are particularly smitten with her version of Orchidée! She opted for a subtle black fabric with swiss dots that, in our opinion, really lets the pattern shine. She nailed the fit, and decided to raise the neckline to provide more coverage at the bust. Click here to see her full post!

This is the dress I didn’t know was missing in my wardrobe. I love it so much. The fabric is also amazing! I’ve never made a plain [black] dress but I’m hoping I can make some more this season.

Esther of @ninetostitch

Finally, wrapping up our reviewer panel for the Orchidée dress and blouse we have Alissah of @alissahthreads! Alissah is a puffed sleeve queen and such a fun follow on Instagram for current sewing trends. She created a cute summery look for her Orchidée by pairing the pattern with an orange print Rifle Paper Co. fabric! See Alissah’s full post here.

When I saw the Orchidée pattern, I was so excited to sew it! I decided to sew version B, the blouse and it turned out so gorgeous! The pattern was so easy to assemble and cut. I love how it only called for minimal fabric and very little fabric waste! The bridal buttons and puff sleeves were the absolute most perfect details! I look forward to sewing this gorgeous pattern again!

Alissah of @alissahthreads

We want to extend a huge thank you to Raylene, Griisette, Emily, Esther, and Alissah for taking the time to make and review the Orchidée pattern! We are incredibly appreciative of their time and creative energy. Don’t forget to visit their full posts for more photos and details, and share your own versions of this pattern using the hashtag #DDOrchidee.

Note: Pattern Testers and Reviewers

Our pattern testers have worked with us closely while we were developing the pattern, and provided feedback on the construction and fit. Our reviewers featured in this blog did not take part in pattern testing, and so did not provide feedback during the design phase. Their feedback is based on the final version of the pattern only. In exchange for their honest review, they received an early copy of the finished pattern as well as a purchase credit for fabric and supplies. The opinions they express on their blogs (which we recommend visiting!) are their own, and we have encouraged honest and constructive criticism.