The Cam-bee Dress
When Sara kindly asked me to join her Dress Up Party, it gave me just the excuse I needed to make another Cambie dress.
The Cambie is such a sweet little sewing pattern with enough variations to make it feel like you’re customising your dress to what will really suit you. Here I chose the square front and full skirt without the waistband.
The outer fabric is a bee print Makower cotton – this is the white colourway but there are some gorgeous other colours – making this my Cam-bee dress heehee. I don’t sew with many quilting cottons these days, nor do I often wear white, but I couldn’t resist this print. I also lined the dress in white habotai (I love a fully lined dress).
As this is my second version I think I’ve worked out all my fitting issues. I staystitched the neckline before sewing as my first version stretched a little. I also recommend a muslin to make sure those sleeves don’t fall off your shoulders. I omitted the waistband because I find them a little uncomfortable on my stomach but perhaps that’s just me.
Another helpful thing I did on this version was to make a pair of little chains on my overlocker and attached one end to the tops of my pockets and the other ends were caught in the waist seam. This helps stop the pocket bag sagging. It would be more ideal if the pattern had the top of the pocket bag caught in the waist seam but I suppose that could get a little bulky.
One thing I’d like to mention is that Tasia’s instructions are very succinct I’m always impressed reading one of her pattern booklets at how efficiently she takes you through the work needed in a small number of steps. I have three Sewaholic patterns and I’ve not struggled making any of them.
I’ve said it before but I’m not sure if I’ll try the sweetheart version or the fitted skirt but I’m super keen to try a button up version after seeing Rosie Wednesday’s cute candy cane variation. Such a clever hack of the pattern! I also have some horse print chiffon lined up for another version.
These pictures were taken at the lake near my house. It’s a small lake where people walk their dogs and go fishing. There’s a flat wooden bridge that goes across the lake, with high reeds either side that almost hide it. It was so sunny when we were there I struggled not to squint in the photos.
Time to sign off, but here’s a bonus picture of me pretending to push over a tree.
Have a lovely weekend everyone!
24 Comments
Swirlyicing
Beeeeutiful! Loving the style and fabric. X
almondrock
Thanks mum! It’s the same as the one I wore at Christmas that you and dad liked. So different in a light colour
Clarinda Kaleidoscope
Lovely dress – I have used that fabric for a shirt and it has become one of my most frequently worn items. Any success with that tree?
almondrock
I’ve seen and admired that shirt! Haha the tree lives to fight another day. Tree – 1, Amy – 0
anIdlemind
Beautiful summery number Amy! Whereabouts are you guys living now? Loving the look of that lake!
almondrock
Thanks Sarah!
We’re out in a place called Thornbury. And this lake is in Calverley. Both are near Pudsey and all those other little villages round there.
anIdlemind
I’ve only just seen this comment, bah. That is so random – my hometown is called Thornbury 🙂 Obviously not your Thornbury. Looks gorgeous!
almondrock
How funny! Still connected across all the miles 🙂
Hélène
The perfect little summer dress. You look fresh and cool.
almondrock
Thank you! It was the perfect sunny day for photographs and I felt lovely and summery.
Emma Jayne
Looks like you’ve been buzzy…. *groan. Sorry that was awful. Great dress and fab to find you on instagram this week! (loving the Gin Festival photos! Woo gin, is 07:10 too early for gin?)
almondrock
BOOM! I love a good pun. Great finding you on IG as well. Virtual gin cheers *clink*
Emma Jayne
Cheers m’dears.
Franca
how cute is that fabric, great dress!
almondrock
Thanks so much! I love the bees. They make me feel super summery and happy
Claire (iwanttobeaturtle)
I can completely see why you couldn’t resist this print! The bees are fab, as the dress – as always!
almondrock
Aww thank you! It’s such fun to wear!
Sabs
Bee-autiful! I’ve been meaning to make a second cambie for nearly 2 years now. I’ve had the fabric ready and washed for ages (black eyelet with red lining) but life got in the way! By the time I make it I’m sure it’ll look really dated but who cares?! I love the spring look of yours
Sabs
Aww the little bee icon didn’t show up 🙁
almondrock
Oh lame! I’ll imagine him… bzzzzzzzzzzzzz
almondrock
Thank you! Your plan sounds pretty. I don’t think lined eyelet can go out of fashion so I say book a babysitter and get some sewing time for yourself!
gingermakes
This is sooooo cute on you!
almondrock
Aww thank you! It makes me really happy to wear which is a great sign in my book!
Pingback: