Florence is the newest addition to our Resort Collection, and we think you’re gonna love it! Florence is a beautiful knit one shoulder pattern. The full lined bodice is finished with clear elastic for stability. For added support, you can add single or double straps to the opposite shoulder.
The Adult Florence features a crop top option with cut out bodice, bodycon dress with solid OR cut out bodice and optional side slits, in four dress lengths – mini, dress, midi, maxi. It also includes a circle skirt dress option (solid bodice only) with optional pockets. All options include a plain strap option (one shoulder only), 1 strap, or 2 straps.
Florence is also available in our Youth sizing! The circle skirt is perfect for twirling, and can be cut with a side seam to save fabric or on the double fold for a quick sew. Choose from three length options – mini peplum, peplum, or dress length. The mini peplum is perfect with shorts (Lucy or Skylar would be great!) for summer months. The peplum is great with leggings! For the dress length, you can add optional inseam pockets if you have a side seam. Florence is perfect for special family vacations, or everyday wear!
Swim / Sports Bra Hack
The Florence makes a great swim top or sports bra with minimal modifications to the original pattern by simply using swim fabric or performance fabric and swapping out the clear elastic for swim elastic. There are two looks you can achieve, a crop style that is hemmed or finished with swim elastic at the hemline, like mine, or a shorter, banded style like Teri’s. Either style would work great for swimwear or a sports bra/ athletic crop top!
For the banded style you would cut both the main and lining at the shelf bra cutline and follow the Florence tutorial for construction, adding the shelf bra band to the hem. If you choose to add the optional straps, I would definitely add elastic to them. If you’re making it as a swim top, substitute all of the clear elastic with swim elastic. For the cropped style you will cut your main and lining using the bodice pieces for the dress option, and follow the tutorial for construction, again, swapping out the clear elastic for swim elastic if making a swim top. I finished my hemline by attaching 3/8 inch swim elastic to the lining side of the of the hemline’s raw edges using my serger, then turning the elastic towards the lining and topstitched. Alternatively, you can hem the bodice 1/2 inch. I also lined mine with swim fabric.
-Stephanie
Peplum Hack
Loving the new Florence pattern but want a peplum instead of a dress? There’s an easy hack to make that happen! Choose your style, whether that be without or with a strap or two, and construct the bodice as instructed in the tutorial.
I like to put the bodice portion on after it’s sewn up to see exactly where the waist will be sitting on me. Florence’s waistline is intended to be at your natural waist. If you’re planning to wear your Florence peplum with jeans/shorts or maybe a pencil skirt, go ahead and put that on with the top – this will help you visualize where you want your peplum to end.
Don’t forget that the waistline has a 1/2″ seam allowance and you will need a 1/2″ hem allowance. Using a measuring tape, place the tape 1/2″ above the bottom edge of your top and see how much length you need for your peplum to hit where you want it.
For my peplum I’m going to be measuring out 8″ in length (7.5″ in length plus 1/2″ for hemming). The top of the skirt piece already has the seam allowance included. Using the circle skirt pattern piece, I’m going to use a tape measure and measure from the waist down and mark along the curve where I need to cut the new length.
Now take the new peplum piece and cut out 2 on the fold.
Next, we go back to the tutorial to step 7 and continue on with the peplum skirt just as we would with the circle skirt. Sew the skirts at the side seams with right sides together. I like to also hem it now while it’s a bit easier to manipulate.
Lastly, mark your quarter points in the bodice and peplum. Insert the peplum into the bodice with right sides together matching quarter points and raw edges. Sew. Turn your top right side out, press any seams that may need it and admire your work!
Have fun styling your new Florence Peplum Top – a Florence Peplum top made with scuba would look amazing with a pencil skirt, and my flowy version here looks cute with jeans.
-Kelly
Shoulder Tie Hack
I saw a really cute one shoulder inspiration with a tie strap and knew I needed it too. Let’s hack the Florence strap to have a tie strap!
For this hack, you’ll cut all your pieces according to the pattern EXCEPT the strap. This hack works the same with any of the Florence fits so while I chose the tie crop, you could also use it with the swing skirt or bodycon views.
We’ll need to determine new strap sizes to cut. Since the goal is a tie strap, we’ll cut 2 straps. I wanted a 1″ finished width strap so cut the new straps 3″ wide to account for the 1″ strap width plus 1/2″ seam allowance. For the length, I measured the existing pattern piece and cut that length. I’d recommend cutting a minimum of the current strap length, if not longer. For the size blue, this measurement was 15.75″. I found that length to make smaller ties, I’d recommend cutting a bit longer.
For the size Blue I’m making here, I cut 2 straps measuring 3″ wide x 15.75″ long.
With right sides together, sew along the long edge and one short end of the strap. Turn right side out. Repeat for the other strap.
Lay the main front right sides up. Take one of your straps and center it on the strap notch with the strap seam facing the non-armsyce side. Pin/clip in place. Baste in place. Repeat for the back.
Continue following the tutorial for construction. Make sure to keep the straps out of the way when stitching.
Try on for fit and tie wherever is comfortable. I’ve tied it in a knot of a longer looser look and a bow.
Enjoy your new Florence! -Katie
You could also add a decorative tie to the one shoulder strap! Simply cut one strap piece on the fold in order to double the length. Create the tie just as if you were creating the strap. Tie around the one shoulder strap, and done! You could also stitch the strap in place, if you prefer.
-Katie
Braided Strap
Want to get even more creative with the straps? The possibilities are pretty endless as long as you check the stretch; we loved Katilin’s idea to braid thin strips of knit fabric together, and then use the cut chart after braiding.
Which version of Florence will you make first? I love the balanced look of the thin straps and the one shoulder strap, but my daughter’s favorite version is the single shoulder strap! Whichever you decide, don’t forget to share your makes with us!
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