Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Cambie Dress in Gingham

Guys, I love sewing. I suppose that should be obvious by now. But does it ever just hit you, out of nowhere, how absolutely madly in love with this craft you are? That's been happening to me a lot lately. And I know it's a direct result of a recent resolution I made to spend more time sewing for myself, from other designers' patterns. I've been trying to get back to my sewing roots recently--picking out a pattern, fantasizing over fabric, poring over the directions.

I picked up Sewaholic's Cambie dress pattern recently, feeling like I was the only person in the sewing blogosphere who hadn't made it. And the pattern did not disappoint!

I made a muslin of the whole dress--pockets and everything--to really test the fit. I made a size 10 and ending up taking in the hips quite a bit--that was a new experience for me! (Sewaholic Patterns are designed for a pear-shaped figure, so the proportions are slightly different from other patterns.) The fit in the bust was perfect, no dart adjustment needed.

I made the dress in a small turquoise gingham.

I decided to cut the waistband on the bias, to break up the check pattern a bit.

The dress is lined in white siri, a cotton poly blend lining fabric. I added a facing to the front neckline, so that the white wouldn't peek out the top of the dress at all. Here's the inside.


As many have noted, Sewaholic's instructions are fabulous, and this dress had an emphasis on machine finishing. The only thing I did by hand was to tack down the lining to the dress at the waistline. It was nice to be sewing out of my usual comfort zone--I even used an invisible zipper! (I have a slightly irrational dislike of them, preferring a more vintage-y lapped zipper in a dress.) I feel so modern.

Yesterday was the first very warm day we've had, and I wore the dress to my knitting group. I can already tell that it's going to be a summer time staple. (I confess that I've already cut a second version.)

Other than that, I've been doing lots of home dec sewing. I recently developed an obsession with the idea of having piles of blankets all over the house (Jeff is convinced it's some Freudian thing), and I've been working on building up the blanket stash.

We did some antiquing in New Paltz last weekend, and I found this amazing mannequin head. Isn't she beautiful?


58 comments:

  1. You look beautiful in it! And yes, sewing is just so freakin fabulous. Keep it up...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gorgeous! I love this pattern a lot and have made two in gingham, the print works so well with the style. I hadn't thought to put the waistband on the bias though, it's a lovely touch!

    ReplyDelete
  3. The bias waistband is so cute (besides being functional)!

    Oh, and you found one more person who hasn't made the Cambie yet, because I made a big resolution to not buy any more patterns until I've tried all of mine at least once.

    It'll be a while...

    Diane @ Vintage Zest

    ReplyDelete
  4. Gorgeous dress! Love gingham fabric. I just recently finished my own dress made of blue gingham fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I know exactly what you mean about blanket stashing... (: We're having an extra cold and rainy spring here in Holland, and swathing oneself in blankets is an absolute must. The weather also means covering up my cute dresses with sweaters and cardigans, bummer -- I can't wait to try making this pattern and wearing it as is during the summer!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I too love the gingham fabric. My first Cambie is made using Couture techniques, so I'm keen to make a second following all the machine instructions Tasia provides - not that I didn't enjoy making the first one.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful dress! Good thinking making facings from the outer fabric - I must remember that! I'm in the middle of my first Cambie myself, and LOVING it so far!

    ReplyDelete
  8. i love that dress and will...one day...maybe...get around to making it ?

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a gorgeous dress! I have been meaning to try the sewaholic Cambie pattern but just haven't gotten around to it - so you weren't quite the only one! Now I feel like I really must get off my lazy bottom and just do it!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful work as always Gertie! I understand your love of sewing and I've finally started my own blog for it.
    And I really like seeing the insides of your dresses. Their always as neat as the outside!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Cute new dress! Yes, I fall in love with sewing again, each time I step in my new sewing room :D
    And everytime I put on a new dress for the first time an getting compliments on it.

    I just love sewing!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Forgot to say, your hair color is awesome with dress!

      Delete
  12. I just love the Cambie so much and yours looks beautiful on you. There's something about gingham for the summer that makes my heart happy! Love!

    ReplyDelete
  13. That dress is at the top of my to-sew list, too. I am not pear shaped, either, and am worried that I might have a problem fitting. I'm glad you has little issues with that, makes me confidant that I can do it, too! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  14. You look gorgeous! I absolutely love the fabric that you chose - that color is so flattering.

    I've been totally inspired by your hair, so I just went from blonde to red. I think it actually looks better! I'm glad I took the plunge.

    I've been considering a few home dec projects, too. My bedroom desperately needs some sprucing. It's really bare.

    ReplyDelete
  15. That dress looks amazing on you - and the color combination with your hair!!! It's just amazing. :) I also haven't made the Cambie dress - I really want to, but there are just so many other things on my sewing list right now. After seeing your version, I think I may need (yes - need) to make one up in navy Gingham.

    I also love that you cut the waistband on the bias. Even though I know it's not possible to match all the plaids on such tiny gingham, it would still bother me in trying to do so.. so cutting the waistband on the bias sort of solves that problem. ;)

    Can't wait to see your home decor projects!! xo

    ReplyDelete
  16. That's a really cute dress! I agree with other comments, the color looks so good with your hair. Yes, sewing is amazing! It's like a stress reliever for me. I would go crazy if I couldn't sew for even a few days.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Lovely dress, well done. Don't worry, you're not the only one who hasn't made it, I haven't either but it's definately going on my to-do list! :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm in love with sewing as well! And guess what? I'm going to Charlotte, NC to visit my cousin... and his mother was a sewing and pattern making instructor! I'll spend one whole month there to learn tips and techniques! Your dress is beautiful! My birthday is in one month and my partner promises me to give me your craftsy course!
    Bisous ;)
    BTW : your dress is awesome! I love the bias belt.

    ReplyDelete
  19. The Cambie really is a great dress! It's nice enough in itself but still basic enough to be a blank canvas for prints!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love the dress! thanks to you and my granddaughter, I am once again falling in love with sewing. and I actually bought a dress pattern for myself so I can start sewing for myself again.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Lovely dress - a great version of this pattern. I haven't made it either, yet...

    ReplyDelete
  22. Very nice, reminds me of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz...very flattering. I'll have to try the pattern brand.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Turquoise is your color!!
    I am always surprised by the number of independent pattern designers I learn about here. I would absolutely LOVE a post that simply listed all the indie pattern sellers out there, with a quick run-down of that pattern-maker's claim to fame. (e.g. Sewaholic for pear-shaped figures.) I want to step outside "the big four" more often!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is a list, can't remember who blogged it but just google indie sewing patterns and you should find it. Though the extra detail about their raison d'etre would be a great touch!

      Delete
    2. Didn't want to publish as anonymous, but I don't have a blog and the screen freezes on my ipad when I try to use Name/URL option. Here goes ( 4th try)

      Independent Pattern Designer List

      http://agoodwardrobe.com/2011/12/22/independent-pattern-designers/

      Delete
  24. Love it! Glad to see the dress on someone who is not pear-shaped--I'm not, and I've hesitated on buying it because of that. My favorite part is the pink hair/blue dress contrast, though. You look fab!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your Cambie is beautiful! I'm currently trying to make my first Cambie and I'm having so many issues. I'm lengthening the bodice and moving the darts and shortening the darts and trying to figure out why the size 0 skirt A fits beautifully until I attach the waist band, at which point it becomes too small. But I'm not pear shaped, so like you said, the proportions are off. But your lovely dress reminds that it will be worth it in the end.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi! Gertie. Awesome dress. Thank you for mentioning how you made a muslin. Sometimes I hate that part of sewing a new garment but then in the end the process is nice because you're discovering the pattern and fit before going onto your final fabric. Where did you buy your gingham? Do you ever not line your everyday dresses? I was wondering what your take is on when to line and not line?

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love the effect of the gingham & the color is so great on you. Lovely dress. Will you try quilting or are you finding vintage quilts? I see some pretty ones on the interwebs.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Beautiful dress!! I hope you treated yourself to a goody from Lagusta's Luscious when you were in New Paltz!--
    Krista

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi,
    I love the dress. I make doll clothes but love the 50's shapes. I have just bought some fabric and a pattern to make myself a dress. Great inspiration. Carol

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love the Cambie too! Though I've yet to actually sew the whole dress lol. I've only made skirt versions of it at this point. I love the blue gingham paired with your ever glorious hair. It's perfect! (Also loving the antique mannequin head. Awesome find!)

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love everything about this..the dress, the shape, the color blue with your hair..it's amazing :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. What a lovely Cambie...I seriously need to make myself one this summer as I've had the pattern what feels like forever! As for the mannequin head you found, it's stunning!!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I think I could probably classify myself as an intermediate sewist, but I need to work on finishing the inside of my garments as nicely as you do! Thanks for the inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Gertie, I'm glad you return to your roots sometimes. I love to sew too, and I also love to cook. I've watched how you vary your approach to your blog subjects as a kind of pattern (if you will) for me on my Two for Dinner blog http://danasdinnerfortwo.blogspot.com/
    Keep it up, your blog is one of my favorites! Thank for all the inspiration. P.S. I also got completely caught up by BBC Sewing Bee!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Beautiful! It fits you perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I am so in love with this! IIIII am the last person to make this... But, I think that is going to change. How do you think it would look on a 60 year old woman?? So cute!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I hadn't heard of this brand before, but having looked them up, will probably end up buying at least one of their pattenrns - just as soon as I sell off the three drawers full of patterns in my stash that I'll otherwise never use (again in some cases)! However, I did want to point out an odd thing about their site. The one pattern I looked at first, had the back of the envelope viewable in Imperial or in Metric measurements. But the metric one still gives fabric widths in inches! Must contact them about that!

    ReplyDelete
  38. There are several of her patterns I want to try, but I've been dissuaded by the description that they are for a pear- I am very much an hourglass, and pretty "full" top and bottom. This dress is fab though! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Aww you're so cute Gertie. I love your shoes with the blue gingham. Very Dorothy. Such a sweet dress and I love how neat the insides of your garments always are.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Beautiful job! Facing was an excellent addition.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Very pretty! I just made my first Cambie (after multiple FBA trials) and I'm totally in love with the pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Really like the fabric. Nice!

    ReplyDelete
  43. I am almost sure I can relate to the original statement. The thing is, running into sewist divas like yourself, J. Chancey, J. Rosbrugh (you feel me); it is painfully obvious that I need to start from the beginning. My skills suck to put it directly.

    I have therefore been doing so much reading, and reading that frankly I have not been S E W I N G. I know eventually I will have to pick up needle and fabric and just do the dang thing.

    I have fallen in love with the idea of a green/white gingham 50's style dress. This post reminded me of my new obsession.

    Thank you for all you share, Ms. Gertie. I really appreciate it.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Those anchors on you tootsies look new! They are really great! love the dress!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Absolutely love this! You look amazing! This was my first time visiting your blog and you did not disappoint. Adding this to my feed so I can come back again...and again...and again...and again...

    ReplyDelete
  46. I'm not sure what I love more about this. The mad love for sewing, or how crazy fabulous you look in these photos. You're like my DIY style icon.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Love it! I think I might be the one person in the world who FAILED at putting the Cambie dress together-the bodice was two inches wider than the skirt, which resulted in some BIZARRE pleating. :( Kind of disappointed, since I was so eager to make that dress!

    ReplyDelete
  48. I love the cambie dress! I need to make one for myself. Love the colour you chose, perfect for summer. Everything you make always looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Wow, you are so freak'n fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Nice! One of the dresses that is moving up the line on my list

    ReplyDelete
  51. I'd love to make it too but alas, it doesn't come in my size! I based on the measurements on the pattern I think an 18 would do me just fine in the hips. Do you think I would be able to adjust the pattern up those 2 inches??

    ReplyDelete
  52. Hi Gertie....wow what a lovely dress. I 'tweeted' about a fabulous Bernie Dexter dress and was pointed to this pattern... I'm a self-taught beginner... be honest, do you think this would be ok for me to make? Thanks. Amy x

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hello
    Thanks for this great post !! amazing dress.. Keep writing

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

© Gertie's Blog For Better Sewing. Powered by Cake