Have you seen the beautiful new pattern, the Cambie dress, from Tasia at Sewaholic? I’ve yet to make any of her patterns, but I’ve got several bookmarked including the Crescent skirt and the Pendrell blouse. Tasia’s designs are meant to be flattering for pear-shaped ladies, which is music to my ears.
The ‘Cambie dress’ has two variations – one with a full, gathered skirt and one with an a-line skirt. You can see gorgeous examples of both versions by Scruffy Badger Time here. I would probably make the a-line version as full skirts don’t tend to flatter my already voluminous hips. Even better, both versions have pockets! I love dresses and skirts with pockets. Here’s Tasia looking very chic in the a-line skirt version:
I’d love to have a dress that looks this elegant and flattering in my wardrobe (or several versions of this dress) but the pattern is marked as ‘intermediate’. I’m aware that I’m very much a beginner at the moment, as I have been sewing for only a few months.
However, I’ve been wondering – what makes you an ‘intermediate’ sewer (sewist)? Is it the length of time you’ve been sewing (like serving an unofficial sewing apprenticeship)? Or is the skills you have? In which case, what are the skills I need to learn? Answers on a postcard please! 
Image credit: Sewaholic.
15 comments
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May 8, 2012 at 11:45 am
seweclectic
Lovely dress, I was also wondering the same thing although I would still consider myself a novice😄
May 8, 2012 at 11:46 am
Stitched Together
Good question! I’d like to know the answer too.
May 8, 2012 at 12:21 pm
prttynpnk
Perhaps Gaziantep has a sewalong planned for us beginners, wouldn’t that be swell!
May 8, 2012 at 12:22 pm
prttynpnk
Um, ok. My nook made Tasias name something really different! Sorry!
May 8, 2012 at 12:27 pm
agirlinwinter
Ha ha, I did wonder! Tasia’s sewalongs are great, I hope she does one for this dress.
May 8, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Brooke
Pretty dresses! She is probably marking them at “intermediate” because of the princess seams on the bodice (they can be a little tricky to sew at first and sometimes a little hard to fit properly).
You may be ready to start trying intermediate patterns – it’s more about skills than time you have been sewing. Pockets are usually considered intermediate too (unless they are patch pockets just sewn on top). You understand fit and have done minor alterations, so you are past the beginner stage.
I think as long as you make a mock-up and aren’t trying to do point-sewing like godets or inset shapes (think 1930′s styles), try making anything you like the look of – I always say I can make anything as long as I like the fabric enough. =)
Be brave! You are a much better seamstress than you think!
May 9, 2012 at 4:04 pm
agirlinwinter
Thank you!
May 8, 2012 at 4:39 pm
gingermakes
I bet you could make this! I think Brooke is right– this dress requires a bit more fitting, which probably bumps it up to intermediate. Truthfully, this looks easier to construct and fit than the Peony dress (and its crazy bodice darts!). Go for it!
May 9, 2012 at 4:05 pm
agirlinwinter
Oh the Peony bodice, it’s my nemesis at the moment!
May 8, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Sophie (monbouton)
I also ordered this pattern and will make the A-line one. I think you can make it now you have struggled with zippers and waistbands! The pattern instructions are always very clear and I’m sure you’ll be able to ask for help on the internet if you’re stuck somewhere!
May 9, 2012 at 4:05 pm
agirlinwinter
I look forward to seeing how you get on with the dress!
May 9, 2012 at 2:25 pm
shawnta715
When I first started sewing one of my beginning projects was a BurdaStyle Kasia skirt. Def not a beginner project with a 8 piece waistband and all, but I made it and surprisingly it is still in my closet since 08′. Obviously now I can spot all of my beginner mistakes and would like to sew a new one to see how I have progressed, but I was so proud of myself that it encouraged me to keep going. There are so many resources from books, blogs, and youtube that I’m sure you could figure out any bump along the way!! A pattern is only hard if your determination isn’t there to make it work!
May 9, 2012 at 4:06 pm
agirlinwinter
Thanks for the encouragement!
May 12, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Siga
Oh my! Need this dress now!
May 21, 2012 at 10:56 pm
Sassy T
I think intermediate is determined by your skill base. However that does not mean you could not do the pattern. It might just merely mean you will have to seek out the info on how to do certain things, this is easy enough, as you have youtube and fantastic bloggers who share a wealth of information. Just go for it. Am only a beginner, been sewing off and on for a year but learning new skills as I attempt challenging projects mainly bags. This is how you learn.