Photo snatched from Grosgrain
I just randomly discovered that Grosgrain just completed a Coffee Date Dress sew-along, which ended with dozens and dozens of lovely versions of the dress! It’s quite a clever idea- they break the steps down over five days and everyone completes it in synch in a very manageable fashion. I’m a little bummed that they didn’t credit me for the design and drafting of the pattern (is that petty of me?), but oh well, I guess that’s just what happens when you put stuff out there for free on the interwebs.Maybe I’ll email them and ask nicely if they’d add a little credit. Basic as it is, I’m pretty proud of that pattern. [UPDATE: Just got email from Kathleen of Grosgrain and wow, is she nice! Getting credited :) Yay! Oh, how the Selfish Seamstress loves a good ego pat.] You can download it and others for free off of my downloads page.
Lots of photos of beautiful finished pieces here and here, the original sew-along concept here, and if you go here, you can work backward through the five days to see the process broken down and illustrated step by step. Pretty cool. Now don’t you want to make your own in just five days?
19 comments
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May 7, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Tasia
Yes, I DO want to make my own in just five days! Too bad you didn’t get credit but I’m sure it was just an oversight, and your email will sort it all out!
This is such a beautifully simple dress, I’ve seen it but never tried it out. Thanks for refreshing my memory! And if I do make it and write about it on my blog, I’ll be sure to give you the proper credit :)
May 7, 2010 at 4:30 pm
SA
I also made that dress.They did mention your name in the first post and I was going to email you about it then forgot it for some reason.They did not mention your blog though.Many members had sizing issues,so maybe Kathleen didn’t mention your blog to avoid conflict? Not sure maybe you should email her.
May 7, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Colleen P.
I love your dowloads page-I have several friends that are also quite petite, and the most common problem is that elegant, adult clothing, meaning for a woman over 22 with a career and events to attend to support said career, is very nearly nonexistent in anything under a 6, or sometimes a 4. I will definitely direct them to your site for these dresses, they are the answer to several occasions!
May 7, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Kerry
I made a Coffee Date dress a few weeks ago for a special date night, but I didn’t get to wear it because I got sick.
I love it, but I screwed it up because I ran out of ink in the printer so I had to freehand draw the bottom of the bodice. I ended up drafting the darts too wide and deep and the result is the bodice is a wee too tight. (it’s on Burdastyle, under my username FeldmanTcat – the Spring Green Coffee Date Dress).
Which just means I have to make another one.
I also recently used your minimalist cowl bodice and the coffee date ruffle placement and made a very cute J-crew-ish knit ruffle tee. I haven’t actually photographed it or blogged about it, but trust me it’s cute.
May 7, 2010 at 8:13 pm
lorrwill
I guess they got the message cos your being credited now.
kewl!
May 7, 2010 at 8:14 pm
lorrwill
oh. I see you know about that. pays to read the post here instead of in the email, huh?
still it is a cute dress…
May 8, 2010 at 12:08 am
Trudy callan
Love your dress design. Glad you got the situation settled about being credited. I think that’s pretty important.
May 8, 2010 at 12:47 am
Edwina Cameron
I’ve made a couple of them now… love the design although still can’t nail the ruffle. I’m a beginner and I just can’t work it out… BUT! Never say die, I will get it right eventually…
May 8, 2010 at 2:30 am
G.
I started making my own clothes when I was 12 – and absolutely love this blog! I made the ballet skirt on Wednesday and will attempt the Coffee Date Dress for my MA-graduation in the summer soon. Thank you so much, this blog is wonderful!
May 8, 2010 at 7:25 am
Maggie
Love your blog, just found you via Grosgrain. You’re so funny, and stylish!
May 8, 2010 at 8:28 am
Jo @ To a Pretty LIfe
I really enjoyed making this dress with Grosgrain. (I made the plaid version sans-ruffle in her picture mosaic) Thanks for creating the pattern and letting us have it for free! I intend to try it again maybe with the ruffle. I left it off this time due to trying to skimp on fabric ;-)
May 8, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Selina
love your stuff! so glad she gave you credit for your design and because she did i can add you to my sidebar! :)
ps. LOVE how you “crossed out” all that stuff, seriously too funny ;) can’t wait to try your stuff…
~selina (sis#1)
check out our DIY style blog…
May 8, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Susan - Knitters Delight
What a great credit to your fabulous design skills. I wish I had known about the sew along.
I’m glad you did get the credit you deserved after all!
May 9, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Elizabeth
Can I have a stab at your erstwhile question, “Is that petty of me?”
For a moment there I was afraid you’d been kidnapped and held hostage by your evil twin, who would be not so much The Unselfish Seamstress but The Unthinking Seamstress.
I hate to be the one to break it to you, Selfish Seamstress, but you handled this situation with grace and generosity.
May 10, 2010 at 8:19 am
Amber
How fun! I really need to try my hand at that dress already.
May 10, 2010 at 11:31 am
Emily
I would have been peeved too, but she gave you credit from day one when she was asking if there would have been an interest in others doing it with her – I’ve been stalking your blog sense. Holy smokes you’re good!
May 10, 2010 at 11:53 am
selfishseamstress
Thanks! Yes, Kathleen was super super nice about it when I emailed her– not only did she do the amazingly flattering post, but she went back to all of her previous Frock by Friday entries and retroactively credited me! She’s new on BurdaStyle and didn’t realize it wasn’t just a BurdaStyle produced pattern until I emailed her – it was really incredibly gracious of her!
May 19, 2010 at 4:13 am
Silvia
Haven’t made it yet to sewing the full dress but I got started with the ruffle… and thanks to your great ideas and also to those on Kristen Makes blog http://kristenmakes.wordpress.com/2010/05/17/mens-shirt-makeover-the-ruffle-edition/
I managed to make myself the top I wanted…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12851182@N00/4621334368/in/set-72157623949325547/
Can´t wait to get the full dress done….
December 16, 2011 at 6:40 am
Rachel
Thanks for the design. I made the dress and it looks great! I am relatively new to sewing things I can actually wear, and I think this design is excellent and the instructions were relatively easy to follow. Thanks again!