
Description
I sewed up a wearable mock up and a proper version of Tasia’s wonderful Cambie Dress pattern from Sewaholic Patterns. I love how both of them turned out!
The mock up was made using a $2 sale suiting material which is a little heavy for the pattern but still worked out well. I kept this version the length the pattern intends which is maybe a little long for a short-legged girl such as me! I learnt a few things with the mock-up: The shoulder straps had to be angled and shortened (which I did slightly in the mock up but exaggerated in the final version) to make the neckline narrower to fit my chest. Also, it is a good idea to use the same fabric as lining for the bodice as it is likely to roll a little along the neckline due to the order of the construction process (there doesn’t seem to be a good time to add understitching to the neckline).
Neither of these points are a critique of the pattern because Tasia has done such an amazing job coming up with a clever method of construction that makes every step simple and makes customizing the fit through little adjustments of the sleeves incredibly easy! I also love sewing her slant pockets because she has managed to simplify the standard steps of creating this sort of pocket quite a bit. I’ll be using her version whenever I need to create slant pockets in the future!
For my final version I made the changes I came up with during the mock up and I also interfaced the bodice front because the rayon I used was silky and had a lovely drape. I wanted to ensure, in every way possible, that the neckline would be stiff and smooth. I somehow managed to have extra fabric at CF of the skirt when sewing it to the waste band (this wasn’t an issue during my mock-up so maybe my rayon stretched?) so I made a little pleat near each pocket which adds a bit of fullness to the front of the skirt which I’m actually quite pleased with.
Both dresses have become a staple of my wardrobe – I love how they cover the shoulders and I also love the fit – the dress feels loose and comfy while wearing it but it gives the appearance of being quite fitted. The shortened hemline of the final dress looks cute with tights and I hope, when summer comes and I’m not so pasty, it will be comfortable and cool to wear on its own in the sun!
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Material Notes
Mock-Up – suiting blend
Final Dress – floral rayon
Difficulty
Intermediate
Categories
Credits
- Tasia
Jan 21, 2013, 11.57 AMby krice
These are great and look good on you! Gotta love a dress with pockets.
Jan 20, 2013, 01.37 PMby baum
really nice – i love both versions!
Jan 19, 2013, 10.39 AMby kogogo
Both look very lovely!
1 Reply
Jan 19, 2013, 04.15 PMby ThreadTheory
Thanks!
Jan 19, 2013, 04.56 AMby nouvellegamine
very nice. That’s nice to know that they’re comfortable despite appearing to be close fitting. Well done!
1 Reply
Jan 19, 2013, 04.15 PMby ThreadTheory
Thanks! Yes, I often find myself wearing my grey suiting one as lounging around the house clothing :)
Jan 19, 2013, 01.38 AMby rita61
Very cute. Perfect summer dress!
1 Reply
Jan 19, 2013, 04.13 PMby ThreadTheory
They sure are :) I hope I don’t wear them out before it actually is summer lol
Jan 18, 2013, 09.39 PMby Mary Athey
Love both.of.these. They.re lovely on you x
1 Reply
Jan 19, 2013, 04.13 PMby ThreadTheory
Thanks!