Building on the sewing of my Cobalt shorts from Caledonia Dreamin', I felt inspired and wanted to try other patterns from this brand!
I must say I received lots of compliments on my shorts, so I thought I’d try other patterns from this designer to see if they would have the same effect 😂.
I set my sights on the pretty Mica dress, which I had seen many beautiful versions of on Instagram by numerous sewists, so I also wanted to make my own lovely version.
Anyway! One thing at a time, so I went for the short version of Mica!
I’ll tell you about my sewing adventure!
The pattern
Mica is a sleeveless dress with a button placket and a little vintage touch.
It comes in short or long length and is graded from size 32 to 50.
It features princess seams and an underbust seam, which makes this pattern original.
It has a fitted cut to highlight curves.
We also love the versatility of this dress, which can be perfect as a summer dress or worn over a turtleneck in autumn!
Practical information for sewing this pattern
The Mica pattern was created by Lauriane from the Caledonia Dreamin' brand. Mica is available in PDF format only and you can download it in A0 and A4 formats, with sizes on separate layers.
Seam allowances are included, and you will receive a guide with detailed, illustrated step-by-step instructions, including a step-by-step for a full bust adjustment (FBA); which can be very helpful for those who have trouble finding dress patterns suited to a fuller bust.
Mica is available from size 32 to 50.
In the sewist’s basket
Mica is sewn in woven fabric and many options are possible. Indeed, it will be perfect in a lightweight to medium-weight woven fabric for summer such as:
- cotton poplin,
- cotton satin
- linen, and linen viscose
- ...
You can also make a more autumnal version in:
- fine wool fabric,
- corded velvet,
- denim,
- a cotton twill, a light gabardine
- ...
There are plenty of options for this dress!
Regarding supplies, you will need:
- 1.40m of fabric for the short version or 2.20m for the long version (140cm width)
- 60cm of fabric for the lining (fine cotton)
- A piece of fusible interfacing.
- 10 buttons of 2 cm diameter for the short version or 12 buttons of 2 cm diameter for the long version
- matching thread (and matching cones if you want to overlock)
My supplies
I fell for a 3m coupon of cotton satin with a tropical print. To be honest, I first fell for the fabric and then looked for the pattern that would showcase it; and I don’t regret my choice!
I chose to line my dress with the cotton satin, which is quite fine and soft against the skin.
I used thin fusible interfacing and burgundy thread and cone.
I used 15mm buttons instead of 20mm, I wanted something lighter.
Technical points
For me, Mica is suitable for intermediate sewists because it has some interesting technical points:
- the button placket is assembled differently at the bust and skirt
- the lining of the bodice is assembled using the casing technique
- the bodice can be adjusted as needed (cup depth)
- the hem has a mitered corner for perfect finishes
- making buttonholes and sewing buttons
- hand sewing the bodice lining.
Nothing insurmountable but quite a few technical points where precision is necessary.
My sewing experience
I spent about 6 hours sewing the dress after assembling my pattern and cutting my pieces. So it’s a project that does take some time in the schedule.
I encountered no difficulties sewing the dress; the explanatory guide is really complete and the diagrams really help understand the steps.
I really liked the finishes proposed by Lauriane, the designer of Caledonia Dreamin'. I already said this for my Cobalt shorts, but I find that the brand really makes an effort to offer beautiful finishes that we can be proud of! And when it’s good, it should be said!
Will I make another Mica dress? I really want to, I think it would be stunning in linen but the corded velvet version with a turtleneck also tempts me! And you, what fabrics would you choose?
In any case, I’m delighted with my sewing project!
The pattern-fabric combination is successful, I think 🥰
I will make this pattern again and can only recommend it to you!
Find Lauriane’s lovely patterns in sewing version but now also in knitting version (because yes, we have our first knitting patterns 🥳) on the website and in store.
Also find all our joly coupons, our 3m coupons at gift prices 🎁 here.
Come on, all that’s left is to get started!
Get your needles ready!
