We firmly believe that anyone can sew anything with patience and perseverance, but sometimes it helps to understand how time-consuming or challenging a pattern will be to sew. Here's how we rate the difficulty of our patterns:
Beginner (⭑): Appropriate for a true beginner with simple style lines and details, quick to sew with no closures.
Confident Beginner (⭑⭑): Achievable for beginners who are willing to learn a new skill, may include more design features and techniques (ie. zippers, buttons, facings, etc). Relatively quick to sew.
Intermediate (⭑⭑⭑): More details and style lines, may include interesting details like a zipper fly or topstitching, projects can take 6+ hours to sew.
Advanced (⭑⭑⭑⭑): Still achievable for most sewists, but patterns will include more pieces and more details, and can take 8+ hours to sew.
Challenging(⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑): Complex, skill heavy projects like tailoring and bra-making. Again, achievable for most sewists but be prepared to spend 10+ hours on these types of projects.
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The Celia Dress is inspired by the romantic, bohemian designs of Ossie Clark, the iconic London designer who defined 60s and 70s fashion. Featuring a dramatic banded V-neckline and soft gathering at the shoulders and under the bust with a side seam zipper, the curved bodice seam flows from an almost-empire height in front, dipping gracefully to the natural waist in the back with subtle release pleats for shaping. Gently puffed sleeves taper at the hem with an inverted box pleat, while a flowing maxi-length skirt falls just below the ankle. An optional contoured belt offers additional styling versatility.
Lovely to sew up this well drafted pattern however, not flattering on me.
Hi Kathleen, thank you for your feedback! We're glad you enjoyed sewing the pattern, and maybe some alterations could help it flatter your style better. We appreciate your support!
A
APA
Enjoyable sew resulting in a beautiful dress
I recently joined crew and decided to sew the Celia dress for an upcoming event. I used a viscose I purchased from Core Fabrics almost a year ago which worked very well for this pattern. My only adjustment was shortening the dress as I’m only 5’3”. Excellent instructions. A very enjoyable sew. I have also enjoyed the support from the crew community. So glad I finally signed up.
K
Karkicaz
Beautiful dress!
I loved the style of this dress as soon as came to my inbox. Love the neckband and the skirt. I made it and omitted the sleeve pleats. It is one of my favorite dresses.
Making the Florence Top from Merchant and Mills (First time making a garment for myself that’s not just a plastic toile from a bedsheet!). Fabric has so far been really easy to work with (so great for a beginner) and the pattern is cute! We grow and eat a lot of garlic so this print felt like a must.
The last time I sewed with knit fabric was over 20 years ago; total disaster. When I saw the CC class, I immediately signed up. Loved every second; clear, precise instructions. I am so proud of my long sleeved t-shirt, I just ordered enough Luxe Organic Cotton Jersey Knit for four more in different colors.
Thank you, Heather and team.
I enjoy reading the histories of what people have made.
I have not yet sewn any of the pattern releases. The styles are too body-conscious and/or retro for my taste, but the instructional videos offer a lot of information I can take to other projects.
I've been tempted since the first year of Crew to become a member and took the plunge in January this year. It's been such a great 'club' to join! Sewing can be a bit of a solitary hobby but this online community is kind, supportive, helpful and so creative. The patterns are outstanding - clear instructions, impeccably drafted and so much support from the Closet Core team. I'm always inspired, even if I don't have as much time to sew as I'd like. I wish I'd signed up earlier!
This was my first purchase with you, and I will definitely be back for more. The ease of purchase, detail of instructions, and accuracy of the fit turned me into a huge fan. Can't wait for my next make (after I sew a second one of these dresses!)
