I had been eyeing the Leaf pattern from Maison Fauve for a long time, and when a student asked me to sew it together... well, I had to try the pattern, right?

So, Leaf is:

• a light dress with a back neckline (just right) ending in a wrap skirt, with cleverly designed pleats on the front skirt and rolled-up sleeves
•  a charming top with a back button closure, a cuffed sleeve.

There are two front collar options: either full or with a small slit closed by a loop.

I chose to make the dress version without a front slit, and cut it in size 36 according to the measurement chart, and it fits perfectly.

I could simply raise the waist by 1 or 2 cm in a future version because the pattern is designed for a height of 1.65m.

Leaf is available from size 34 to 36:

- bust circumference between 80 and 104cm

- waist circumference between 60 and 84cm

- hip circumference between 86 and 110cm.

You can find it on the brand's website in printed format for 16.90 euros or in PDF format for 9.90 euros.

To sew Leaf, in the seamstress's basket you will find:

• fabric (between 2.60 and 2.90m) for the dress version and 1.20m for the top version in 140cm width. 
  
• for the top version: 5 buttons from 10 to 12mm (2 decorative buttons for the sleeves if desired)
• fusible interfacing
• matching thread.

Almost all woven fabrics (non-stretch) are suitable for making Leaf: a viscose, a batiste, a cotton, a poplin, a crepe... and why not play with the facings that form the sleeve cuffs to contrast them?

Leaf is accessible for sewists with an intermediate level but can suit a resourceful beginner, and experienced sewists will enjoy sewing this pretty pattern. 

The technical points are:

• sewing the bust darts and shaping darts of the bodice
• assembling the bodice and its facing 
• creating the waistband and assembly 
• creating the slit (if desired)
• sewing the sides including the facing
• creating the pleats of the skirt and sewing
• sewing the hems
• For the top version, we will add the creation of the button placket and sewing of the buttonholes.

I really enjoyed sewing Leaf and am eagerly waiting to see the final version from my student who chose a beautiful Japanese print to make her first dress. 

To sew mine, I went with a safe bet, polka dots ;-)
A coupon from my personal stash that was waiting for its moment... I brought it back from Spain in November 2019. I like bringing coupons from my trips; sewing them reminds me of good memories, and that feeling repeats when wearing the garment. Do you do that too?

For my next version of Leaf, and why not in a pretty Japanese cotton, I would shorten the bodice by 2cm to raise the waist slightly and better fit my stature.