Dear readers,
Now that Camille is out in the world, there's only one question that matters: what should I make her in? So let's talk fabric.
The short version is that Camille likes a woven with a bit of structure and a bit of give. She's fitted, she's lined, and between the keyhole, the collar and the little ties there's a fair amount going on, all of which sits better when the fabric can hold its shape without going stiff on you. Light to medium weight. Nothing thick. And no knits, I'm afraid, they won't keep the lines.
That's really the whole of it. Everything below fits the brief, the rest is just deciding what mood you're in.
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Cotton poplin
This is my start-here pick, and it's what the cover version is sewn in. Crisp, light, holds its shape, presses beautifully, and it behaves with the covered buttons on View A. If you're standing in the shop unsure, reach for a poplin. Lilli's floral View A is one and it's so pretty.
Shirting
Poplin's slightly smarter sibling. The kind of crisp cotton you'd make a proper shirt from, a fine stripe or a clean solid. Easy to sew, and the collar and ties come out lovely and sharp.
Chambray
Softer hand, a little texture, that washed-blue look. You get the structure of a cotton with a more relaxed, everyday feel to it. Denim's mood without the weight.
Lightweight denim
One of my favourites, and the version I keep actually reaching for. There's enough body to show off the princess seams, but it stays soft and comfortable. Go for a fine, supple denim rather than a stiff jeans weight. And if you like a bit of topstitching, it looks great along these seams.
Linen
The most laid-back Camille of the lot. Breathable, a bit of texture, that lovely undone look for summer. It creases, you know it creases, but somehow that only suits the top. Press as you go and the shaping holds where it needs to.
Linen blends
Linen's softer side. Mixed with cotton or viscose, it drapes a touch more and creases a touch less while staying nice and light. Pauline's View B is an olive viscose-linen, and that extra drape does something really good on the asymmetric front.
Lightweight wool suiting
This is the one for when you want to dress Camille up. A fine wool suiting has a soft, elegant drape, tailored but nowhere near heavy. Think office, or evening, or layered under a blazer.
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What to skip
Anything thick or stiff, so heavy denim, canvas, coating, will fight the keyhole and lose the finer details. Leave those on the shelf. Wovens only, no knits. And since Camille is fully lined, you don't need anything special for the inside: a lightweight cotton lawn does the job, or just more of your main fabric if it's on the finer side.
Camille is 15% off until Friday, no code needed, it comes off automatically at checkout.
And if you're here as a newsletter subscriber, there's an extra 10% off your whole order with the code CAMILLEPARTY. Just use the email you're subscribed with at checkout.
So, what's your first Camille going to be? Tell me, I love hearing.
Happy sewing,
Delphine