This month’s Cashmerette Club pattern is a trendy shirred woven dress that is ultra-comfortable and stylish. Here’s how nine makers added their personal touch the Franconia Dress to inspire your own version!
The Franconia Dress is a lightweight woven dress with a shirred waistband for all-day comfort, a gape-free faux button placket, a delicate bound v-neckline and essential inseam pockets.
It’s designed for a loose fit with a cinched waist. (If you’d like a more fitted look, go down one size like a couple of our makers did.) And if it’s your first time shirring, we’ve got you covered with a free video sewalong!
The Franconia Dress comes in sizes 0-32 and cup sizes C-H and is available exclusively to Cashmerette Club members. Not a member yet? Join today for as little as $9 USD—cancel anytime.
Trying out shirring for the first time and not sure how it’ll go? You might be surprised to hear that most of our makers had never sewn shirring before making their Franconias—keep reading to hear about their experiences and see their fantastic creations.
Gowri’s Franconia
This brilliant blue Franconia is one of our favorites! Gowri chose a cotton Ikat in an eye-catching blue and sewed hers in an 8 C/D. With the lovely shirred waist, mid-length flowy skirt, and inseam pockets, Gowri’s creation is trendy, comfy, and cute personified. Not only that, but she was also able to truly get the hang of shirring for the first time which made her Franconia experience a truly unforgettable one.
Her measurements are 33” high bust, 35.5” full bust, 30” waist, and 33” hips.
Gowri shared this about her Franconia Dress:
“It was such an incredible experience learning shirring. It was my first time and I nailed it! The instructions were crystal clear!”
Check out more of Gowri’s makes on Instagram at @bypaary.
Jen’s Franconia
It’s a cotton poplin pop of color and we can’t get enough! Jen’s Franconia is giving us striking summer dress vibes and we’re here for it. She sewed hers in a size 24 with shoulders graded to a size 28 G/H at the bust. She also shortened her Franconia by about 5″ at the bottom. Jen was able to hone her shirring skills and as a result she created a dreamy summer dress that is ultra-comfortable while still providing shaping.
Her measurements are 48” high bust, 56” full bust, 48” waist, and 58” hips.
Jen shared this about her Franconia Dress:
“This is a unique summer dress to make. I was excited to try another new skill in shirring—I was grateful for a lot of extra instructions on that step! The cotton poplin was a dream to sew and I am thrilled with the final product.”
Check out more of Jen’s makes on Instagram at @JenBenSews.
Michelle’s Franconia
Michelle’s Franconia has us buzzing with her fun pattern selection and expertly shirred waist! Sewn in a lovely patterned cotton in a size 20 C/D, Michelle particularly enjoyed the button placket and the fact that there were some key details perfect for beginners. We have a feeling this Franconia is going to become a summer wardrobe staple for Michelle and for good reason!
Her measurements are 45” high bust, 47.5” full bust, 41” waist, and 50” hips.
Michelle had this to say about her Franconia Dress:
“This is a lovely pattern, with some key details that would be great for beginners. We love a pattern with a fake button placket!”
Follow along with more of Michelle’s makes on Instagram at @elitaveramakes.
Caroline W’s Franconia
Check out this perfectly personalized Franconia! Caroline truly made it her own with striking yellow fabric and creative detailing. She sewed hers in a 24 C/D and chose a deadstock cotton/spandex stretch shirting. She also lengthened the skirt by 2″ and shortened the sleeves by about 3″. This dreamy summer dress is striking, comfy, and the perfect addition to her wardrobe. She was also able to try her hand at shirring leaving her feeling super satisfied and accomplished. There’s nothing better than that!
Her measurements are 45” high bust, 48” full bust, 45.5” waist, and 54” hips.
Here’s what Caroline had to say about her Franconia Dress:
“The Franconia Dress is a dream to wear! Seriously the most comfortable and cute dress I have in my wardrobe! It was also the first time I tried shirring and it was super easy and satisfying.”
Follow along with more of Caroline’s makes on Instagram at @ecarolinewalters and her website at ecarolinewalters.com.
Jacqui’s Franconia
Jacqui’s Franconia is a sateen dream! She chose a cotton sateen in a brilliant graphic pattern that truly elevates this Franconia making it a fun and next-level addition to her summer wardrobe. She sized hers down to a 10 C/D for a more fitted look. From lounging in the sun to brunch on a patio, Jacqui has the perfect ultra-chic yet ultra-comfortable outfit for traipsing around this summer!
Her measurements are 37” high bust, 39” full bust, 33” waist, and 38” hips.
Jacqui shared this about her Franconia Dress:
“I’m satisfied with how it turned out and I’m sure I will get a lot of use out of it.”
Check out more of Jacqui’s makes at @Mad_Sewing_Scientist.
Amanda’s Franconia
Amanda’s Franconia is truly the perfect addition to any summer wardrobe! And while it may be winter in Australia, she can’t wait for the warmer weather to arrive to rock her perfectly personalized Franconia. She chose a charming and colorful cotton seersucker fabric and sewed hers in an 18 C/D. She loved the shirring for the shaping, the gape free button-down front, and the fact that it was a quick make for a cute and fresh look!
Her measurements are 42” high bust, 46” full bust, 36” waist, and 47” hips.
Amanda had this to share about her Franconia Dress:
“While it may be winter in Australia I can’t wait for the warmer weather to arrive to rock the Franconia Dress. The shirring panel gives some lovely shaping and and you know the button-down front is secure because—surprise—those are decorative buttons! This is a quick and fun pattern to sew for a cute warm summer look!”
See more of what Amanda is sewing up on Instagram at @bimbleandpimble and her website at bimbleandpimble.com.
Caroline B’s Franconia
Caroline is a vision in red in her Franconia! She chose a red splatter pattern rayon and sewed hers in a size 18 C/D. She admits that she was a little nervous about the shirring, but with the instructions provided, it ended up being easier than she thought. Don’t you love when a brand new make comes together easier than you thought? We sure do!
Her measurements are 45” high bust, 46” full bust, 44” waist, and 52” hips.
Here’s what Caroline had to say about her Franconia Dress:
“Sewing the Franconia was very easy because of the great instructions. I was very scared of doing the shirring but those instructions made it so easy and seamless.”
Check out more of Caroline’s fabulous makes on Instagram at @Carolines_Handmades and on her YouTube Channel.
Kelsey’s Franconia
Kelsey’s Franconia is easy breezy in more ways than one! She chose a lovely floral rayon/viscose fabric that gives it a light and airy feel. And once she got the hang of it, the shirring proved to be a breeze as well! An easy sew that’s both comfortable and cute, Kelsey is already planning on making more. The more Franconia’s the better we say!
Kelsey sewed hers in a size 6 C/D and her measurements are 33” high bust, 35” full bust, 27” waist, and 38” hips.
Kelsey shared this about her Franconia Dress:
“From start to finish, the Franconia Dress was such an easy sew. And once I got my elastic thread into the machine correctly, shirring was a breeze. This was my first shirred dress, and I can imagine many more in my future—it is so much more comfortable than I could’ve imagined!”
See more of what Kelsey is sewing up on Instagram at @wanderingsewist.
Lolie’s Franconia
Lolie’s Franconia is a summer dream, but the best part of this shirred woven dress? Its versatility, as it could be easily winterized as well! Lolie chose a stretch woven slub linen/viscose in a captivating coral. She sized her Franconia down to a 12 C/D and shortened the hem for the seated position. She also finished the sleeves with cuffs for a cute and customized look.
Her measurements are seated: 38.5” high bust, 42.5” full bust, 36.5” waist, and 47” hips. Standing: 34” waist, and 44” hips.
Lolie had this to say about her Franconia Dress:
“It’s comfortable, fits super well in the upper body and feels like summer! But it could be winterized as well.”
See more of what Lolie is sewing up on Instagram at @lolieya.
Join the Club to get the Franconia Dress!
Want to make your very own shirred woven dress? Join Cashmerette Club today to get the Franconia Dress plus many other patterns, fitting masterclasses, exclusive discounts, and more.
(Joining after July 2023? You’ll need to join at the All Access level to get the Franconia.)
