With warmer weather arriving more often than cold, I am seeing where there are gaps in my summer wardrobe. The warm breezes on warm days with ice chiming in a glass of lemonade. Picnics by the river bank with kids running in the grass. Day trips to the beach to walk along the shoreline with my toes tickled by the tide. These moments are the things we anticipate and remember about summer. The core memories that often define summer, aside from dinner on the patio and not having to pack lunch at 7am every weekday. But also, summer is defined by the style. The clothing is lighter and brighter. I don’t feel like I’m dressing for an Arctic expedition facing diagonal Irish rain and stinging hail. Summer is a treat and I love to dress for it.
Before I launch into why I am sewing a boho sundress instead of buying one, I will go over how I decided I needed a boho sundress in the first place. Then I’ll explain what patterns can be used and how to sew a sundress with CeliaB vibes. I’ll also divulge that I’m aiming to upcycle duvet cover to make this dress. It’s a lot to unpack, I know. Let’s get started.
Wardrobe Gaps & Go-To Pieces
Because I am very conscious that the most sustainable clothing is the piece already in my closet, I’m less likely to pick up a new summer ‘edit’ to refresh my wardrobe. I have cultivated a great wardrobe over the years and eased more and more to buying second-hand over the last five or six years. This means that when I pack my clothes away each Spring and Autumn, I take stock of what were my go-to pieces, what I’m lacking due to wardrobe gaps, what needs to be mended, and what I didn’t wear enough to make it worth keeping.
We all have a gap or two – perhaps you need a pair of colorful cotton trousers or maybe classic white jeans. For me, my ‘gap’ is shorts because I just don’t wear them as much in Ireland as I did in the States. Shorts tend to be reserved for when I am gardening, so the ones I have are cut-offs or worn out. I’m ok with that because they’re for gardening. For you to figure out your wardrobe gap, think about what you reach for that isn’t there. I know if I needed to wear shorts to a social occasion, I would look severely underdressed, but ready to help them plant some hydrangea.
Which is why it is equally important to consider not just the gap in your wardrobe, but also your go-to style. Those go-to pieces you always wear when the weather is right for them and basically live in all summer long. For me, that is sundresses. All styles and lengths, so long as they are 100% cotton. Toss one on with my sneakers and that’s my outfit sorted. I love the ease of it all. Of course, it also means I love to have fun with my sundresses and have a variety of styles and prints/colors. One style I do not have yet is a boho style, much like the designs of CeliaB or Farm Rio dresses. Firstly, those brands are out of my price range, even though I’d love for someone else to be sewing a boho sundress for me. Secondly, I tend to be a bit preppy in my style so lots of Breton striped knit dresses and classic Gap poplin dresses. If I were a cartoon character and the setting was good weather, I’d be wearing one of these with my pastel HOKA sneakers. No doubt. And that is where my go-to meets a gap – whimsical boho sundress.
With my destination set as a whimsical boho sundress, I then begin researching options. For ethical and environmental reasons, I try to avoid fast fashion and couldn’t find what I was envisioning within my budget. And being crafty with a bit of fabric in my studio, this means sewing a boho sundress.
Inspired by CeliaB
If you haven’t seen the designs by Celia Bernado, aka Celia B., you’re about to. Her enthusiastic use of color, celebration of cotton fabric, and incorporation of crochet in both shapes and textures is her trademark. Her designs have the energy of Coachella, sadly also the price tag. Which is why this spring I’m focusing on how to sew a sundress with CeliaB vibes. It can tide me over until I win the lottery and can buy one.
I have been admiring the CeliaB fashion line for a long time. I didn’t realise how long until I started writing this post and looked up. I first heard about her when a friend sent me this post by Erica Ji in Jing Daily. My non-crafty friends are fabulously thoughtful to send me knitting and crochet related pieces in mainstream news, which I love (it makes me feel thought of, but also is always interesting to read). That led me to Celia B’s fledgling blog. Then there was some silence when I didn’t see new designs or posts and then I noticed a new blog post and fell IN LOVE with a skirt pictured. But I was pregnant and not thinking about fashion at all. What I loved though was that it was more established. It felt more determined. And there was a proclamation or mission statement, if you will, sharing:
“…our main message is to BRING JOY AND HAPPINESS to the word! Easier said than done. I know. But we firmly believe that empowering people to feel special and unique by creating timeless, fun and unusual designs will transmit to those who wear our designs a spirit of uniqueness and freedom that goes beyond fashion trends.”
I’ll admit to stalking now. The last four or five years, I’ve had alerts on ThredUP, Poshmark, and eBay for affordable second-hand CeliaB pieces… with no luck. So, this Spring, a decade of admiring her aesthetic and style, I decided to sew something that embodies the CeliaB style. It obviously won’t be the same, but that’s also kinda the point because this is a chance for me to have some fun.
Key Style Elements
CeliaB dresses are known for flutter, tiers, ruffles, color, cotton, bows, and trim. Mixing prints and colors in unexpected ways, sometimes including colorful ric-rac to emphasise/ease the transition between fabrics. She somehow designs dresses and pieces that are both structured to the body and flowy. There are many sewing patterns with one or two of these elements, but very few have all of them in one. That’s where you can adapt and embellish to achieve the look you want. Add ric-rac, self-fabric ties at the shoulders, or use multiple coordinating fabrics for the tiered skirt to liven up your dress. As I list the patterns that would work well in a CeliaB adjacent style, I’ll note what I think would up the CeliaB quotient. Again, the aim isn’t to copy or duplicate CeliaB, but to create something that has the elements and vibrancy that makes her aesthetic so beautiful. Make it your own!
Patterns to Use
McCall’s: M7948 or McCall’s: 8312 or McCall’s: M8090
For something like the Maree Dress, go with a mini length (or short depending on your comfort) add shorter ruffle layers or ric-rac when attaching the sleeves. Bringing in some ric-rac at edges and seams would also be a fun addition.
McCall’s: M8036E5
The A version of this pattern is so perfect as it is. Spice it up with vibrant fabrics and coordinating ric-rac. You could even add a layer of ruffles at neckline or the M8180A5 collar.
McCall’s: M8180A5
This pattern is for a blouse with frills and a ruffle-edge oversized collar. It could be paired with a tiered skirt in coordinating fabrics for a bold outfit. Or use the collar element of this pattern paired with a tiered dress to look like the Beryl Dress or Bjorn Dress.
Viki Sews: Felicia
The fluttery sleeves and fitted bodice with flowy skirt is so lovely. Add a contrasting fabric for a belt and ruffles to bring up the CeliaB quotient.
Simplicity: 9114
For a CeliaB vibes if you prefer trousers and a cropped top, this set is for you! If the over-dress is done in sheer fabric, can also be paired with a slip for a Coachella dress.
Simplicity: 9639
Ruffles, a-symmetrical hem, leg slit, and ruffles with tiers make this a perfect start. It’s all about the fabric to make this piece exactly what you want.
New Look: N6694
For a modest neckline dress with tiers, ribbon ties, and fun shaping, this is the one. It could be reminiscent of Adhara Dress with the right fabric and ric-rac placement.
KnowMe: ME2016
For a modest neckline dress with puffed sleeves and tiers, this is the one.
Gunnar Deatherage: PACIFICA Dress
This seems like a perfect pattern to sew a formal dress with CeliaB style. Maybe some organza in a gradient fade of colors if that’s not too passé.
Fabric Wholesale Direct: Tiered Ruffle Dress
Turn the plain straps into wide straps that tie, add ric-rac at the meeting of each tier, and possibly even do rounds of ric-rac at the bodice to create a more fitted appearance. It has a simplicity much like the Sereia Midi Dress or it can have the physical simplicity with vibrant colors and textures like Morgantine.
Peppermint collab with Lauren Boyle of Elbe Textiles: Bardon Dress
This seems like a great everyday summer dress. Ric-rac at the tiers and varying prints for each tier and section to brighten it up. In white with pastel ric-rac, it’ll be charming like the Aqua Puff Sleeve Dress.
Makyla: Chloe Tiered Maxi Dress with tutorial
WK Designer: Tiered Gown
What is your summer style?