Bloglovin instagram YouTube facebook twitter
  • Home
  • About
    • About me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Sewing
    • Modern
    • Vintage
  • Knitting
  • Crafts
  • Contact/Sponsor
  • Crafty Pinup

What Abi Makes


To celebrate the release of Deer and Doe's newest sewing pattern, the Passiflore dress, I've collaborated with them to review it on my blog. You know I can't say no to a shirt dress or a wrap dress and this pattern is a great mix of the two.

As soon as I saw this pattern I knew it would be something I'd love to wear and it's different from anything I already own. The Passiflore pattern is a belted coat dress with a relaxed fit, with a double breasted style button detail. I've made option B, a knee length, long sleeve version of the dress.

Here's a peek at the pattern:


Before I get into the pattern, let's just take a moment to appreciate this truly stunning fabric! My favourite fabric to sew with and wear are rayon/viscose types. So when I saw that THIS beautiful print was rayon, I fell in love. I think it has a bit of a 60s vibe and I couldn't get over the colour palette. It's so unlike anything I own but I just thought it would make the loveliest shirt dress and would work well with my hair colour and skin tone. You can tell I may have leaned in to the 1960s secretary vibes I was feeling (and loving!).


Lets get into the pattern... Passiflore has quite a lot of pattern pieces which when printing the PDF at home I regretted pretty quickly (I'd recommend copy shop printing this one)! For the long sleeve version I was sewing, you'll also be making plackets so look out for those, coming from someone who almost binned the pattern piece. There's also a lot of small interfacing pieces you need to trace off of the main pattern so bare that in mind as it's a pretty time consuming step.


When I cut out my pattern and had finally sat down to sew, it wasn't long before I was scratching my head, as I hadn't noticed that the centre back yolk piece is cut out twice, one for a lining. By that point I had used up every inch of my fabric so had to raid my stash. Luckily I found some light weight, pale pink cotton fabric which ended up working well. Phew!

Thanks, I Made It! woven label from my shop
The sewing is reasonably straight forward if you have experience sewing collars. When I was in the zone, it all came together quite quickly. I wasn't looking forward to sewing the sleeve cuff plackets and when I got to that step I even considered abandoning them in favour of the short sleeves, but I knew it would be sacrificing the overall look I wanted for the dress so decided to buckle up and deal with it. Honestly sleeve cuff plackets aren't too difficult but I think they always look like they're going to be a headache. It actually all went quite smoothly and I was just being a drama queen!


Fit wise, I went by my bust measurement like I usually do. But because the dress is designed to have a relaxed fit, with simple princess seams and no buttons on the actual bust (for the dress version), so the fit for this is actually surprisingly simple. I could have sized down, but with the belt in place, I'm really happy with it.

I think the double breasted style button detail is an interesting design choice. Its something you're used to seeing on trench coats and I didn't know if I was going to like it for a dress. But now I've seen a few more versions on Instagram, it's grown on me. For mine, I raided my stash for buttons and as I'd chosen gold for my D rings on the belt, when I came across these vintage plastic and gold glitter buttons I knew it was meant to be. The perfect combo! As the fabric is so busy, they aren't too noticeable but when they do catch your eye it's a nice surprise.



In hindsight, I would have used a heavier weight interfacing for my belt selection as with just light weight interfacing, the belt feels more like a tie because it doesn't hold it's shape very well or sit flat against my body. Next time I sew a belt I'll be sure to use something sturdier. And yes, I did have to watch a tutorial on how to tie a D ring belt...

Sewing Summary:

Pattern: Deer and Doe 'Passiflore' Dress pattern

Fabric: Art Gallery Fabrics - Blue Bank Flora Rayon / Viscose from Catch and Release

Notions: 8 buttons

Sewing time: Best part of a day.

Modifications: None.

Fit: A little loose, but good.

Difficulty: Confident seamstresses.

Watch out for: Getting a neat collar and sleeve plackets. Lots of pressing!

Make Again?: Yes. I think this is a great pattern and an unusual mix of styles.


Overall, I'm really proud of this dress. I think it showcases a great range of sewing skills including collars, plackets, cuffs and button holes. For that reason I would recommend it for sewists with a little more experience. But the pattern's instructions are great and well illustrated if you do want to tackle it.

I think this pattern and fabric are a match made in sewing heaven. I love the 60s vibes and it feels like it could be a true vintage piece. It's so comfortable to wear and will be perfect for warmer months and but I can definitely see myself pairing this with black tights and a leather jacket for Autumn.

Thanks for reading!
Abi xo


Disclaimer: I was gifted the pattern and fabric in exchange for this blog post. But all opinions are my own.
5/03/2020 1 comments
Newer Posts
Older Posts

HI THERE!

HI THERE!
I'm Abi, welcome to What Abi Makes, a UK based sewing, knitting and crafts blog.

Follow Me

CRAFTY PINUP SHOP

CRAFTY PINUP SHOP

SUBSCRIBE NEWLETTER

SHOP MY SEWING SPACE

SHOP MY SEWING SPACE

NEW VLOG:

Trending Posts

  • Make Nine 2021 Plans & a Look Back at 2020's Line Up
  • Make The Look: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Sewing & Knitting Patterns!)
  • The Bra That Cured Me: Emerald Erin - Black Beauty Bra
  • Tilly & the Buttons 'Martha' - Round 2 with added designer inspired hack!
  • Making My Wedding Dress Part 1: Inspiration & Fabric

Popular Posts

  • Retro Butterick '53 B5708 - Shoulder Tie Dress
  • Butterick Patterns by Gertie B6354 - Bustier to Skirt Pattern Hack! #RetroTikiCollab
  • The Cocktail Hour Sew-Along - V8943 - 1950s Inspired Prom Dress!
  • Tilly and the Buttons - Cleo Dungaree Dress - Button-up Pattern Hack!
  • Tilly and the Buttons - Cleo Dungaree Dress

What I'm pinning

LoveCrafts

Blog archive

  • ►  2021 (2)
    • ►  January (2)
  • ▼  2020 (18)
    • ►  December (4)
    • ►  July (1)
    • ►  June (1)
    • ▼  May (1)
      • Deer and Doe - Passiflore Shirt Dress
    • ►  April (2)
    • ►  March (4)
    • ►  February (2)
    • ►  January (3)
  • ►  2019 (29)
    • ►  December (3)
    • ►  November (2)
    • ►  October (2)
    • ►  September (3)
    • ►  August (2)
    • ►  June (3)
    • ►  May (3)
    • ►  April (3)
    • ►  March (3)
    • ►  February (1)
    • ►  January (4)
  • ►  2018 (40)
    • ►  December (2)
    • ►  November (4)
    • ►  October (2)
    • ►  September (2)
    • ►  August (2)
    • ►  July (2)
    • ►  June (4)
    • ►  May (5)
    • ►  April (4)
    • ►  March (4)
    • ►  February (4)
    • ►  January (5)
  • ►  2017 (65)
    • ►  December (3)
    • ►  November (4)
    • ►  October (3)
    • ►  September (3)
    • ►  August (5)
    • ►  July (5)
    • ►  June (7)
    • ►  May (4)
    • ►  April (8)
    • ►  March (9)
    • ►  February (9)
    • ►  January (5)
  • ►  2016 (41)
    • ►  December (6)
    • ►  November (5)
    • ►  October (5)
    • ►  September (3)
    • ►  August (4)
    • ►  July (1)
    • ►  June (3)
    • ►  May (5)
    • ►  April (8)
    • ►  March (1)

Created with by ThemeXpose | Distributed By Gooyaabi Templates