Hey there woeful eyed donkeys with detachable tails! Even though it’s already TWO DAYS into July, I thought I should still add an official entry to the year of the dress project. I think we can all agree that the June dress HAS to be the Claire Cami dress from Serendipity Studios. Because, guess what? I made another one!
That’s three of these in June. And I’m not done, yet. If you think my sewing blog has gotten boring, what with me only making one pattern over and over, you should see what I’m wearing. Just these three dress – they are that comfy and awesome! I literally don’t think I can have enough of them! (OK, I’m lying. I’m wearing my deer-in-the-woods crepe as I type this…)
For this version I mixed up the prints a bit to give it a bit more of a shirt-n-skirt vibe rather than dress. We’ve had this Oliver & S fabric in the shop for a while and I’ve been in LOVE with the turquoise and orange viney print that I used for the skirt, but haven’t gotten around to making anything from it! I particularly like it with a cardigan with this mix of prints…
Is it a dress? Is it a skirt? What IS it??
Hey! Guys! Are you paying attention? I don’t KNOW where your tails are. Next time, trying stapling them on. Egad.
Well, since this is the third post this month on the same dress I feel like I’ve said everything I have to say on the subject. I changed nothing about the pattern. For construction, I used methods we’d use in the classroom (e.g. easy and time-saving) the seam allowances are pinked as are the edges of the facings. All the facings are in the same viney print as the skirt for a bit of contrast. Funny story – this dress is destined to be a shop sample, so I really wanted to finish it exactly as we would in a class. Unfortunately, I was sewing late at night and rather sleepy, so the skirts side seams are french seams. I forgot I was doing it the ‘easy’ way and went on auto-pilot!
Since I don’t have many details for you on construction, I thought I’d amuse you with this series of photos that showed up from my photo session. Apparently, I prefer my hair PUFFY!! These were all taken within 2 seconds of each other…
Details
Skirt fabric – Oliver + S City Weekend – Park Ramble in Turquoise (available online – also available in cotton knit interlock)
Bodice fabric – Oliver + S City Weekend – Cobblestone in Turquoise (available online)
Trim fabric – Oliver + S City Weekend – Roundabout Dots in Orange Red (available online)
I’ll be teaching this as a class in July! Class dates are July 7th and 14th (it’s a two session class.) If you’re in Minneapolis, come on down and join me! [Register online]
Quick note – it’s Moving Weekend! (You don’t need to do anything, I hired movers.)
As I’ve mentioned, I am migrating over to WordPress. Next time you see a post from me, the site will look a bit different! There may be some down time over the next few days, but look for the next post mid-week! My web address will NOT change, so you need to do nothing, just keep coming back! Just wanted to let you know that (for a change) my radio silence will be for a good reason. Not because I got sucked into petting the basset hound for 10 hours straight and didn’t get anything done!
I'm loving these dresses! They are so cute and summery! This latest one might be my favorite yet. I have a thing for coral red, and teal. (I am famous for putting my toddler in combinations of orange and green. For myself, I try to tone it down a bit.)
Anyway. I have to check out this pattern!
If I had these frocks, I would never wear anything else ever again either – they are GORGEOUS! I want one!
Sarah xxx
I'm happy to say that once again, a dress sample that looks absolutely fetching on the dress form in the shop looks even better on you! (As it should be.) I really love the contrast bodice here, way more than I'd imagine. I love the hair-fluffing candid shots too.
Hey Patty, I'll race you! I just finished my first Claire Cami and am already well into construction of a second. I have fabric picked out for several more. They are an addiction, but I figure a healthy one because they're good for stash busting …
What shall we do with McGonigle's tail?
It came off again 'cuz he swang on the rail…
I tried with some glue, but the glue wouldn't do,
it squished and it squashed and it fell on my shoe…
So I took out some gum
And I chewed on it some
and I plastered it round with the end of my thumb
Now McGonigle's tail is as swishy as new
and it hangs from the rear like it used to do.
(excerpts from McGonigle's Tail by Dennis Lee, my fave kids' poet with the possible exception of Dr. Seuss). In the interests of honesty in blogging I'll confess that McGonigle is a toy monkey, though, not a donkey. How did they get Eeyore's tail back on again? Now I'll have to go haul out my A.A. Milne.
The dress is, as usual, adorable—I'm not usually a fan of the faux-skirt vibe, but you do it really well (maybe you and Oona are just accustoming me to print-mixing 😉 ).
Can't wait for the WordPress to kick in! 🙂 Good luck with the virtual move.
I wasn’t sure about the fake-skirt look either! Since this was a store sample, I thought’d be fun to show a fun mix of prints. I ended up liking it more than I liked, although I really like it with the sweater the best!
For me, a dress is a winner! You do not have to worry about coordinating with other clothing, it's comfortable, easy to use, it has it all!
So I agree with you if you have a perfect pattern, repeated again and again with different fabrics. Great!
I love your versions of this dress! I just bought the pattern and am working on the fba. Did you add a dart? That’s the only way I can get it to work, but am wondering if there’s another way too.
Also, on your homepage, under “ideas and inspirations” there’s a pink shirt with brown trim that is totally adorable. Is that a ready to wear shirt for sale, or do you know where to buy yardage of that fabric?
Thanks!
(and, great job on the new site!)