Some weekends are filled with more sewing than most and this was one of them! The Coffee Shop Dress from Sew Caroline was released last week and I immediately sewed up a version to wear this weekend. I love Sew Caroline’s style and her patterns are right up my ally.
I got the pattern for free (!!) by pre-ordering Caroline’s new book, Sew Caroline Weekend Style. Check out the blog post here to find out how you can get it for free too!
The Coffee Shop Dress has a short and long sleeve version and is the perfect quick sew and spring/summer staple. It also doesn’t use a ton of fabric – the elbow length version I sewed up only requires 1 3/4 yards of fabric.
I love how comfortable the dress is – I wore it to a 2 year old’s birthday party this weekend that was out of town and it was comfortable in the car for the 2 hour drive there and back and then was easy to wear during the party. We were lucky and it was almost 80 degrees here in Virginia this weekend so it was perfect!
Because it’s a quick sew, it’s a great “I have nothing in my closet I want to wear dress” because from tracing – completion, it was so quick! I didn’t hem the sleeves or the hem as I didn’t think it needed it.
The only issue I had with the dress was that without a belt it looked a little nightgown like on me. I belted it to make it look more like a top and skirt. Next time, I might sew up the smaller size to see if it eliminates the need to belt it.
I used this beautiful ponte knit from LA Finch Fabrics. Their fabric selection is beautiful – they always have such gorgeous rayons and knits. I got a couple other fun things from them this week and plan to sew them up shortly! They included some swatches in my most recent order – so I’m sure I’ll be ordering again soon.
As the ponte knit didn’t have as much stretch as some other jerseys, the neckband was a little bit difficult to attach. I think next time I might cut the neckband a little bit longer to give myself some room to stretch it. Other than that, there were no construction issues at all!
Coffee Shop Dress Summary:
Size Made: Medium – I think next time I might try to sew up the small to see if it is a little bit of a closer fit
View: Elbow Length Sleeves, no pocket
Fabric Used: Annabelle Romance Navy Liverpool Print from LA Finch Fabrics
Notions Used: None, just needed my serger!
Ease of Construction: The pattern comes together super quickly and easily!
Fit: The fit is good – as noted above, I might size down next time so I don’t have to wear a belt with it.
Repeatable? Absolutely – I foresee this being a spring/summer staple for me.
What did you sew up this weekend? Any good spring staples on your to-sew list?
Love your dress! I was just looking at a flowered cotton knit yesterday online 🙂 I made myself another Scout Tee – LOVE that pattern 🙂
Thank you!! The Scout Tee is such a great staple – I have some fitting issues with it but so envious of everyone’s adorable Scout tees!