The Nina Lee Park Lane dress has been around for a fair while already. I’d never quite felt that need to get it – it seemed too similar patterns and styles I already had! – but in their birthday sale a few weeks ago, I decided to get it! And I’m super glad I did!

I had just picked up a piece of this gorgeous painted floral tencel lawn (unfortunately it’s sold out already!) from Sew Me Sunshine and I could feel it in my jellies that here was a pattern and fabric match made in heaven!

The Park Lane dress has a high waisted silhouette with a midi length A line skirt, short or long sleeves, an optional shoulder ruffle and an option for a stand collar. Instead of darts, there are little gathers under the bust. It closes with a key hole in the back and a side zip under the arm. It’s a really sweet and pretty design!

I opted to use the full skirt and bodice with very little change. I’ve noticed a tendency with Nina Lee patterns to fit very snug over my bust/ chest to the point where I’ve had to do FBAs in the past. Knowing this, I chose to make a size bigger than my actual bust required and also added a little bit of extra fabric around the armscye to compensate. It worked a treat!

I used the sleeve as a base to hack a super puffed short sleeve gathered into a cuff. I also wanted an extra ruffle at the hem, so I used two widths of the fabric to create this.

The sleeve is perhaps a touch dramatic but I really wanted that puffed look!

I love the way the dress skins my shape. I feel very pretty in it! The silhouette seems to have that classic effortless elegance that just really works.

Overall, this fabric and pattern combo worked together like an absolute dream! It’s the epitome of spring! (Shame the weather isn’t reflecting this mood!).