Introducing An Orla Affair
The Orla Dress
Hey everyone!
We've been cooking up something really cool behind the scenes over the last month or so.
Anya from Anna Zoe Sewing, Maddie from Maddie Made This, and Allie from Allie J and I have come together to create an entire month dedicated to appreciating my all-time favourite dress pattern, the Orla dress by French Navy.
Why I Love this Dress (and you will too)
I've made three Orla dresses so far with many others planned in the works. With its classic shape, it's the perfect template for a bazillion of fun hacks and patterns additions. Or just leaving it alone, because it's beautiful as is.
My first two versions above, the plaid version and floral version, were exactly as the pattern intended. But the black version was completely hacked, adding a v-neck, flutter sleeve, and full skirt.
Oh, and BTW, in case you missed me hype this before, the pattern is completely FREE. It's hard not to fall in love with a beautiful, versatile pattern that just so happens to be completely free to try for yourself.
I'm not the only one who's obsessed with this pattern, though. The four of us ladies (Maddie, Allie, Anya and I) were talking about how everyone needs to sew this pattern, so we figured we figured we should do an entire themed month around this goodness.
So with that said...
July is the Orla Affair Month!
All month long we'll be sharing fitting tips, a sewalong, and hacks for modifying this dress approximately a million ways. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to jump in on the fun and sew an Orla (or two... or three) for yourself this month! So, if you've been thinking about making an Orla now is the time.
PLUS we've got an awesome contest going on! Keep reading for the official rules, but the gist of it is if you post a picture with the hashtags #TheOrlaDress AND #TheOrlaAffair during the month of July you're entered.
What can I win?
Each bullet point represents a different winner. All of the winners will also get a copy of Sarah's newest pattern the Forsythe Dress (which, spoiler alert, is also amazing). FYI: Anything with a dollar sign is in US dollars.
- $25 to Cali Fabrics and $25 to Maker Mountain Fabrics
- £25 to Beyond Measure and £20 to Guthrie & Ghani (chosen by Grace from Beyond Measure!)
- 3 yards of fabric from La Mercerie and $25 to Hart's Fabrics
- $50 to Threadbare Fabrics
- $50 to Hawthorne Threads
- $50 to LA Finch Fabrics
These prizes may be updated throughout the month as well, so keep a lookout! (ps - if you'd like to get in on sponsoring the Orla Affair, please feel free to DM me on Instagram)
The Schedule
July 1: Introduction posts everywhere!
July 3: Fitting the Orla on allie J.
July 5: The Orla Dress Sewalong on Maker Style
July 6: Customization Inspiration on MaddieMadeThis
July 8: Sleeveless Orla - pattern modifications on Anna-Zoe
July 9: Sleeveless Orla - sewing tips on Anna-Zoe
July 10: An Eyelet Orla on allie J.
July 11: Sleeveless Lined Bodice and Pleats Orla - pattern modifications on Anna-Zoe
July 12: Sleeveless Lined Bodice and Pleats Orla - sewing tips on Anna-Zoe
July 13: Embroidery patterns for the Orla on MaddieMadeThis
July 17: A Preppy Orla on allie J.
July 18: Shift Orla - pattern modifications and sewing tips on Anna-Zoe
July 19: An Orla Hack on Maker Style (specifics tbd... because I'm indecisive)
July 20: Lace Up Front Orla Hack on MaddieMadeThis
July 24: A Vintage Orla on allie J.
July 28: Shirt Orla - pattern modifications on Anna-Zoe
July 29: Shirt Orla - sewing tips on Anna-Zoe
July 31: An Orla Roundup on everyone's blogs
August 3: The Orla Affair winners announcement
Wait, What Are The Orla Affair's Official Rules?
I am so glad you asked! This giveaway is open to sewists across the world -- but you must be above the age of 18 to enter. It is not sponsored or endorsed by Instagram (or any social media channel where this information is shared) in any way.
To enter, post a photo of your new Orla Dress to Instagram between July 2nd and July 31st, 2017. The contest begins and ends at midnight Central Time (US) on those days, respectively. The contest is open to anyone with an open account. Sorry, private people! We totally get it, but we can't see or share your gorgeous Orlas on a locked account. We will announce the winners on August 3rd via blog posts and Instagram!
You don't need to make a new Orla to enter the giveaway, but we'd sure love it if you did! We want to encourage you to make the Orla block your own, and hopefully you'll find the inspiration to do so in our posts. That being said, please try and keep to the basic silhouette of an Orla: the fitted top and a gathered waist. And again -- a new Orla isn't a requirement for the Orla Affair, new dresses are just fun.
You don't have to follow any of us to be eligible, nor do you have to follow our sponsors -- however, we'd really appreciate if you showed them a little love! They've all been so generous, and we can't say how grateful we are for that.
There are no cash alternatives to these prizes, nor substitutions. Winners are responsible for customs and shipping fees. Accounts used solely for giveaways are ineligible for these prizes, and the hosts and sponsors reserve the right to alter prizes, timelines, or other elements of the event at their discretion. (shoutout to Maddie who wrote the rules and understands the legality behind these things much better than I do!)
So, What are you waiting for?!
GIRL! Go get you that free pattern right now.
I can't wait to see what you make!