While browsing our website, Rimma was instantly captivated by a stunning fabric: a bold leopard print adorned with delicate pink roses. As a long-time fan of florals, she loved the mix of timeless elegance and trendy edge. The moment she saw it, she knew it would be perfect for the Closet Core Brise Dress—a design reminiscent of the sought-after Sezane Pippa dress, which also famously featured a leopard print. This fabric was simply meant for the project.
Rimma prewashed the cotton jersey in cold water and tumble-dried it on low, with excellent results. Though lightweight, the fabric isn’t see-through, making it an ideal choice for this style of dress. Having already sewn this pattern three times—using rayon jersey, synthetic knits, and even a cozy sweater knit for a winter version—she had been eager to recreate the look in cotton jersey, just like the Pippa dress.
The Brise pattern remains a favorite of Rimma’s, not least because it’s a free download. For this project, she blended sizes: S at the bust, M at the waist, and L at the hips. After the initial fitting, she refined the silhouette by reshaping the side seams for a smoother curve, eliminating the “ears” at the hips. Assembly was quick and intuitive, especially with the help of online tutorials and a sew-along video.
For her personal touch, Rimma added a slit extension to all her versions of the Brise dress, folding the hem twice and topstitching for a neat finish. On this version, she also shortened the slit by 10 cm. She particularly loves the folded sleeve hems, securing them discreetly with tiny invisible stitches and stitching in the ditch at the underarm seam for a cleaner look, rather than following the visible tacks in the original instructions.
As a final detail, she added a pink “Hello gorgeous” label from Kylie and the Machine, a cheerful addition that brings a smile every time she wears the dress.