Hi lovelies!
Just in time for holiday season, I’m psyched to be able to introduce the second pattern from Cashmerette Patterns: the Washington Dress!
The Washington is designed to be a casual, easy everyday dress with a ton of potential for creativity. What makes this dress really different is that it combines a knit bodice with a heavy knit yoke and woven A-line skirt. It’s been thoughtfully designed for curves: the scooped neckline is flattering without being too low, the yoke creates a lovely waist-hip curve, and the skirt skims over the tummy. You can even make the front yoke using a woven fabric for a “tummy-control” panel.
As a result, the dress is stylish, really comfortable to wear, pops on over your head without the need for closures, and you can make it in really fun combinations. It can be made on a sewing machine or a serger.
Do you have a quilting cotton you adore? Perfect for this skirt! Want a monochrome version for work? Easy. We’ve had so much fun making samples… Below, Melissa is wearing a version using Art Gallery knit for the bodice, pink quilting cotton for the front yoke (and a coordinating ponte at the back) and a lightweight denim for the skirt. Doesn’t she look fab?
The Washington Dress comes with three sleeve lengths, and it can easily be adapted into a maxi dress or a tunic, which I’ll be showcasing in future posts. It’s drafted to be close fitting, so if you would rather a more skimming fit, I recommend going up a size in the bodice. The yoke is designed to hit at your “high waist” which for most curvy women is the narrowest part between your bust and waist, on your rib cage a few inches below your bra. If you’d rather have it at your true waist, there’s a lengthen/shorten line on the bodice which you can use to easily lengthen the bodice as some of my taller testers chose to do!
As with all Cashmerette Patterns, it’s available in sizes 12 – 28, and cup sizes C – H for an awesome fit.
I hope you love this new pattern as much as I do, and I’m happy to answer any questions you might have. We’ll be kicking off the Washington Dress sewalong next week so you have a little time to buy or download your pattern. You can buy yours directly at the Cashmerette Patterns store online as a beautifully printed paper pattern or an instant-gratification PDF, or you can check out your local stockist.
When you post your dress on social media, don’t forget to tag it with #WashingtonDress so I can give you a high five!
Next up, we have some Washington Dress kits so you don’t even need to find your fabrics – there are three dress kits all sourced from high end designer fabrics, and they’re perfect for wearing to the office or for stylish relaxing at the weekend. And until Dec 2nd 2015, they’re 20% off! (see code below).
The kits are a combo of super soft rayon jersey, beefy black ponte and a lovely black and white floral stretch cotton pique. You can get the raspberry one here, grey one here and green one here!
I just love seeing what people have been making with the pattern – here are a few highlights!
Tanya used an embroidered cotton for a wonderful colour-blocked version!
Jennifer used a Van Gogh inspired panel and pleather to make her striking and beautiful dress
Elaine is the queen of the hackers! She made a sleeveless peplum top, cowl-necked top, leopard print tunic and a drop-waisted lace version
Rachel used a dusty rose boiled wool and lace jersey for her lovely version
Happy sewing, friends!
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Yay, congrats on another lovely pattern!!
Thanks Meg! I LOVE your version!
So beautiful! I can’t wait to sew it!! My Appleton dress gets complements all the time and I’m sure the Washington will too! 😀
Yay! Your Appleton is awesome.. I’m looking forward to a Washington machine shop selfie 🙂
Beautiful dress! Very vey shapely on even a grandmother! I can’t wait to make more!
I love yours Elaine! And you’ve been so creative. I’ll definitely be showing people how to make it into a tunic like you have.
Congrats on the new pattern launch! Love the fabrics you chose for the kits. Here’s hoping that this pattern is as successful as the Appleton was/is!!!
Thank you Carolyn!
Yay! Congratulations! I’m looking forward to seeing these all over the internet in the coming months!
Thanks Michelle!
So cute! I love how it looks like a skirt and top combo.
Yes, people often think that’s what I’m wearing when I have it on!
Ohhh Jen!!! I’m in love of that lovely pink-blue dress you made for yourself!!! <3
Great pattern!! 🙂
I can’t wait to see your version Monserratt!!
Love this new pattern! I was thrilled with the fit of the Appleton and can’t wait to try this. This is a bit more “me” than the Appleton.
Glad to hear it Rebecca, thanks!
I love my Appleton, and have been waiting for your next release! I bought the Washington Gray bundle within minutes. I do have a concern: I forgot to change my addy in PayPal before I ordered. I have updated it now, but please email me, it’s order #1735, and I’ll send you my correct address. If the house number on my order starts with 21, you have the correct address. If it starts with 12, you need the new one.
Sorted 🙂
Love It! So fun, modern and flattering. 🙂
Thanks Francine!
Congrats on the new pattern! 🙂
Cheers, Andie!
Oh my! More gorgeousness in pattern form! Great work with this one Jenny. I can’t wait to see what else you have planned. Will you be tackling pants at all?
This dress is fantastic!! Great design and it looks super flattering too! I can’t wait to see these popping up all over the blogosphere and instagram!
Wow! This dress is so flattering and so original with the use of knit et woven fabric. Technically, I’m not a “plus size”, as my bust measurement is 39″, with a B cup… Normally, I’m a size 10 at the bust, and a 12-14 at the hips. As there is a negative ease on the top, do you think I can make it work for my body type?
Hi Maude – yes, you should be fine because there’s negative ease in the top and a lot of folks are sizing up in the bodice anyway. Good luck!
Oh wow! I’m just starting on my appleton!! Looking forward to sewing up this beauty!