You know you have to buy the fabric when it crops up in your dreams.
I'd been lusting after this Herb Garden canvas from Rifle Paper Co for a while but it was sold out everywhere I looked for it. Eventually I mentioned it on my Instagram Stories and a kind follower tracked it down on Etsy for me from NekoNeko. The Internet is good!
I wanted to use it to make yet another Cleo dungaree dress, this time with a strap hack. I've seen a few people make Cleos similar to this so I'm definitely not the first.
I inserted 11mm Prym eyelets where the buttons usually go. Originally I was planning to thread the straps through the back of the eyelets and attach the loose ends to the straps above with poppers - however the poppers were kinda lost on the busy print, so I tied them up instead. I love the finished result!
The project took me a couple of hours total to cut and stitch together. The pattern includes vertical seams down the centre front and back, but these would be hidden by the print the so I cut the bodice pieces on the fold instead. If you want to do likewise, fold away 15mm (5/8in) from the centre lines to omit the seam allowance.
It's quite rare that I sew something for myself with a floral print these days, but I love the combo of stripes and florals so of course I have plenty of tops to wear with it :) I've worn it loads already. A bonus of the busy print is that it hides toddler food smears, hehe. Don't tell anyone!
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Sewing pattern: Cleo dungaree dress - Tilly and the Buttons
Fabric: Herb Garden canvas by Rifle Paper Co - bought from NekoNeko
Photos: Jane Looker
