Cleo Dress |

With all the denim that my friend gave me I was able to make some Roberts Dungarees, my first pair of Dawn Jeans and this Cleo Dungaree dress.

I’ve made 4 other Cleos in the past (though one of them got stained). The first two I made are here and the 3rd and 4th are here. What’s funny is that I feel like the other versions I made were a little too long so I ended up taking them all up a bit. I only realised when cutting out this version that I had always cut out the longer length. Only when I didn’t have quite enough fabric to fit all the pieces for all the patterns on the fabric that I noticed the shorter hem length line on the pattern piece!

I’m much more happy with this shorter length!

This really is a nice easy pattern to make – I’m sure there aren’t many people (who are within Tilly’s relatively small size range) who haven’t made a Cleo yet. It does sew up really quickly.

As I mentioned in the post about my first Dawn Jeans, the fabric had some marks on it – I think from being folded up for so long. I didn’t really notice until I took these photos that there is a fairly strong pale line up the middle of the dress – but there’s a seam and top-stitching there so I don’t think it’s too much of a disaster.

I used traditional jeans top-stitching colour thread to made these really jeans-like. And I bought the buckles from my local little sewing shop – it’s where I’ve bought most of my buckles!

To be honest I haven’t actually worn this (apart from to take these photos!). I felt like it was going to be a good warm-weather garment but then it went cold! I’m sure I’ll wear it with tights and a jumper underneath if I ever go back to work! I’m still furloughed and to be honest I’m starting to lose hope that I’m going back ever.

I feel like I don’t too often make things that I’m not sure I’ll wear much, but actually looking at this, I don’t know if Cleos are really my style any more. Maybe it’s because I’ve been sitting in my house for almost 7 months and dresses (in any form) feel a but dressed up to me – whereas I’m all about the comfort being at home so much! Do you make things you then think ‘why did I make that?’

Well, them.

As I mentioned in my round-up of Me Made May 2018, I made a couple of Cleo dresses and I have worn them both loads – I don’t know why I waited so long to make this pattern, which the entire sewing community already loved.

I made both Cleos in the size 3, based on my measurements and I squeezed each out of around a metre of fabric, so this is a great stash buster/ #sewingleftovers pattern.

This mustard denim was from Sew Me Sunshine and she only had 1.5m left when I placed my order. I’ve already used the rest to make my mute bags. But she has it back in stock, so we can be Cleo twins if you like! I’m actually wearing this one while I type this.

I really like the topstitching, which makes the design details stand out. And it’s good practice for when I finally get around to making jeans!

Despite the fact that I made the 2 Cleos exactly the same, the mustard one ended up a few inches too long so I cut some off the hem to make them the same length, which contrary to what they look like in the photos, is just above the knee.

The buckle things are a little wide for the straps, but they were the only size my local sewing shop stocks. And I like them anyway, and they make the dresses look pretty professional, if I say so myself!

The little dimple you can see on the pocket is from wearing my pink coat club pins – I love them so I don’t care if they’ve made a permanent mark.

And now onto the navy blue one! The corduroy was from my local sewing shop and I bought it quite a few months ago. It’s the only fabric I’ve bought from there because mainly they’ve got quilting cotton and novelty prints. They did have this corduroy last Winter, though.

I really like how they look from the back – I like the shape of the straps and the cocoon-y shape of the skirt part.

I think these will definitely be a staple of my Summer wardrobe – and will be great for layering with tights and jumpers in the Winter.

Here I am demonstrating the existence of the pocket and the fact that it is fully functional! Though if I put my phone in it, it’s a bit heavy and drags down the front of the dress.

And here’s another close-up of the straps, buckles, pocket and topstitching.

There were lots of outtakes from these photoshoots, so I thought I would share some of my favourites – enjoy!

I mean, wtf!?

This is the stoned version of my silly happy face!

So am I the last person to make a Cleo or is there anyone else who has yet to jump on the bandwagon? I thought it wasn’t really my style, but I’m so glad I made these. It’s particularly good because I don’t have to be as smart at my new job, so I can wear these to work as well as at weekends.