How great is this pattern? I almost hit "buy it now" before I realized how simple it is: a square neck fitted bodice, flared skirt (circle or half?) and straps that button on in front. The cherry on top? The little capelet that attaches to those same buttons.
Mon dieu, I'm getting a little pink from the sun! I must put on my little capelet! (Yes, that's exactly what I would say.)
Anyway, it's getting to be sundress sewing season, and I think it would be such fun to incorporate at least one little capelet into my ensembles. I think I would start with a fitted capelet pattern, like the one from
Butterick 5032:
Then I would make a muslin of it, try it on with my dress and figure out my style lines and buttonhole placement from there. (You could also do this on a dress form.)
What do you think? Will you be also be flouncing about in a sundress capelet ensemble this summer?
P.S. The pattern at the top is from a repro seller that I am not familiar with, and I have no experience with their products, FYI.
I love the sundress, my mom used to wear clothes like that! Does your waist have to be that small? lol
ReplyDeleteI prefer to wear dresses in the summer and a capelet is the perfect answer to air conditioning. I hadn't thought of one as I usually wear a shrug or sweater, but you've inspired me to step out of the sweater knit box!
ReplyDeleteI bought the same butterick pattern years ago for the capelet. I think this spring I'm going to tackle the project.
ReplyDeleteI have also been wanting to add a capelet into my sewing! I have the same Butterick pattern and just looking for the right fabrics to do it up in!
ReplyDeleteI am working with a client right now to put together an entire summer wardrobe. She hasn't mentioned the capelet YET, but I am thinking she would love it based off the other designs we are doing.
ReplyDeletewww.sweetydarlin.blogspot.com
Hells yeah, gotta do the sundress and caplet Gertie! I can just imagine you flouncing around your beautiful new home, and greeting your hubby with a pitcher of ice cold pink lemonade after his hard day at work! Then he can give you a well deserved foot massage!!!
ReplyDeletePerfect outfit for an after-church picnic ... you wear the capelet to the service (no bare shoulders in church back in the day!), then doff it afterwards for the picnic. And today, perfect for those over-air-conditioned venues.
ReplyDeleteGrowin up, I had lots of Sunday dresses with boleros or other little coverups ... of course, I'm also old enough that I shudder when seeing exposed bra straps. Who ever thought that was fashionable?
I love this and yes I burn easily so a capelet is such a great idea! I do think I have a pattern for something similar, thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI've been using the Frankenpattern approach you wrote about on Sew, Mama, Sew! way back when, and invariably my dresses end up being either a fitted bodice or a strapless one, with a dirndl or a 3/4 skirt (full circle is overwhelming for my 5'1" frame, and half doesn't flare enough for my liking hehe). The capelet idea is fantastic; I just may have to "borrow" that idea from you as well =)
ReplyDeleteI am a wholehearted proponent of the return of the sundress with matchin capelet or jacket. Perfect for keeping the sun off your shoulders, protection against air-conditioning, daytime picnic-to-evening barbecue wear.
ReplyDeleteCapelet sundress sounded so strange to me, but seeing the pattern, I totally get it. Such a neat idea to get some shoulder coverage as an option.
ReplyDeleteI love the capelet idea!
ReplyDeleteI'm working on a Simplicity sundress (1797) right now. The pattern also has a little kimono-like jacket - kind of inbetween a capelet and a jacket? I wasn't sure about making the jacket but you've inspired me now :) The dress is already on its way in a black and white plaid seersucker with black trim and piping.
I love sundresses but feel shy about exposing my upper arms or shoulders in some circumstances. (you know?)
ReplyDeleteI have Simplicity 3921, a collection of little caplets and boleros, perfect as companions to those adorable sundresses that I have yet to make for myself.
Thanks for the encouraging notice of the "caplet".
It must be a circle skirt-look at the way the stripes are at the sides compared to the center front. Lovely dress.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous patterns! That is a great idea, I've never really thought of making a caplet but they look gorgeous! Can't wait to see it! XxxX http://thesecondhandrose.blogspot.co.uk/
ReplyDeleteOmg! I just fell in love with that capelet dress. It is so simple yet smart, if I ever have a spare time I might try this idea. Thanks Gertie for another fabulous find I haven´t seen!
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the title of this post in my blogroll, I thought it said CARPET sundress, and immediately I thought, Oh No, Gertie's found a use for that carpet she pulled up from her studio floor! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI just made a sundress very like that with button on 2 collars and a little bolero the round collar turned around made a cute little capelet.
ReplyDeleteMari the cheater here. I have a couple of those dresses that have the smocked elastic top with straps, that I did use buttons on when I made them. I am very short and have fabric leftover from both. I am running upstairs as soon as I finish this to make capelets to go with each. A new look for an old dress. One is black and white that looks like lace and the other is pink with palm trees on it. Not exactly the same chic look, but good coverage for my trip to Hawaii. Thx for the idea.
ReplyDeleteI have the Butterick pattern to make the yellow dress and I am very tempted by the capelet! but as I'm pretty new to sewing I think I'll go for the dress first and see how I go. I also love the idea of making it slightly longer and adding arm slits (if that's the right term!) to make a cape.
ReplyDeleteI'm almost finished with a capelet that my aunt drafted for me. It's based on a 1935 McCall's pattern.
ReplyDeleteOh this is perfect! I burn crazy-fast, I want this.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about a capelet for the last couple of months while walking my son to pre-primary. Even with sunscreen, my shoulders and neck have been burnt day after day. It has been way too hot to wear anything with sleeves, so I've been thinking a capelet would be perfect! I also love how it buttons to the dress straps!
ReplyDeleteI'll be the best dressed mum at school :)
What ever you decide to do, can't wait to see your post about it!
ReplyDeleteI like caplets!
Wonderful, I can't wait to see your creation, Gertie. I would also speak in some other language if my shoulders were getting a bit red!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great posting I have read. I like your article.
ReplyDeleteI love it! More and more, I am going back to simpler styles just as they did in the 50s and 60s. I'm sure you would look lovely in this!
ReplyDeleteI love the theory of sundresses, but since I burn to a crisp within moments of setting foot in the sun, I shy away from them. But with a caplet, I might just explore the possiblity. The brain is clicking!
ReplyDeleteWe appear to be on thinking along similar lines, I purchased Simplicity 1579 just recently and its beautiful, there are lots of elements but it WORKS. Straps, removable cape, sweet heart neckline, with the added enchantment of POCKETS!
ReplyDeletehttp://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/Simplicity_1579_A
Check out the Sew Coverts beautiful version from a few years ago:
ReplyDeletehttp://sewconvert.wordpress.com/2010/07/23/50s-inspired-sabrina-cape-dress-part-2/
I jus bought Butterick 5032 during their super pattern sale. It's on my just of things to get sewing.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that you have postings of older patterns. I like a lot of the older styles and was wondering where you get the patterns from.
ReplyDelete