This is a double-French dress: both the pattern and fabric come from companies français! It’s also a little out of my normal style zone, but I think I love it.
It’s my second I AM Patterns Cassiopée dress – I made a winter version in a dark floral with long sleeves last December which I wear a lot, so another version was always in order. When I saw that I AM released a free short sleeve extension pack it was time to give it another go.
The sewing is really fast and easy: four raglan seams, bit of gathering and hemming and you’re done. The new short sleeve has a very deep self-cuff which you can either turn back or wear as-is, which comes to roughly elbow length on me. I like it both ways!
A few people have asked me and yes, the Cassiopée has a LOT of ease built in: this is actually the size below my measurements. A fluid, drapey fabric is essential so it doesn’t stick out like a circus tent. I don’t actually use the pattern pieces for the skirt as it’s just a big rectangle. I basically used up the rest of my fabric this time and made it really quite voluminous: the hem measures about 90 inches around. (I swear the hem isn’t puckered like it looks in the photos: I’m going to go back and press it again!)
The wonderful fabric that’s making me feel like a baby marshmallow is Moonstone pink viscose by Atelier Brunette, which I got from Maud’s Fabric Finds. As well as being a beautiful colour and print, this fabric is the perfect weight for dressmaking projects: floaty and light but with a little bit of body to make it more stable than some and pretty much opaque. I don’t think I can resist buying the blue colourway, as well as some of the other beautiful prints in this collection.
I French-seamed the entire thing and it’s one of those garments that I think is quite lovely as an object as well as clothing. It’s been hanging up in my sewing room for a while pretty much as decoration, though now it’s photographed it’s definitely going to make its way into my wardrobe.
That’s so cute Katie, the colour looks gorgeous on you. I love Atelier Brunette fabric, it’s definitely something I’ll be looking out for in the UK!
It’s a little on the pricey side but very lovely – I think Sew Over it stocks some of the range, but I’m not sure I’ve seen the new range in many shops…
Very pretty! The color is just great.
I just sewed a blouse in this fabric yesterday! It’s so so soft and the print is gorgeous. Love what you did with it too!
Yeah it’s so lovely to wear!
This is really lovely, the colour looks so good on you.
Thank you Sam
Lovely fabric! I like your dress, it looks good on you. I am sure it is comfortable to wear!
Thanks! It is!
Such a dreamy fabric and great match to pattern! I adore the navy colour way, hope someone starts stocking it in oz!
If not, Minerva Crafts stocks it and I think they ship globally for a decent price.
So not used to seeing you in this colour Katie but it looks really great! i hadn’t looked too closely at this pattern but love the shorter sleeves so might take a second look
Thanks! I think I’m not used to it either but I do think it works with my colouring.
Well this is beautiful! The floatiness of the fabric, the colours, the style…total winner! This palette really suits you! I’m just learning to embrace the pink – 3m of powder pink linen is prewashed and waiting and I’m summoning the courage to sew something with it
Thank you! Pink linen sounds dreamy!
Such a lovely make! Simple, yet effective, and the fabric is so nice! I can see why you would want it as decoration in your sewing room :). Are IAM patterns in English or French? How did you find the instructions? I have never used them and am curious about usability. Thank you!
Thanks! English instructions are included and they’re nicely illustrated and easy to follow.
Pingback: Sewcialist Tribute to Katie – Helen's Closet
This is so lovely! I’m wondering how many yards did you end up using? I’ve got about 2.5 yards of some gorgeous double gauze I’d like to put to use, but not sure if it’ll be enough for a dress with so much ease!
I can’t actually remember, sorry! It was either 1.5 pr 2m of this quite wide width viscose. I think it might’ve been 2m – the pieces are really pretty large.