So, I may have been living under a rock until very recently. Let me explain...

When I received this lovely Lady McElroy stretch crepe from Minerva I asked my Instagram followers what I should make with it. My sister thought I should make a Fashion Nova leopard tank dupe. Can you believe I hadn't heard of Fashion Nova before?! Thankfully, I new exactly which pattern to use - the Ogden cami!

The main elements I wanted to make sure to implement from the inspiration piece were the double straps for visual interest and the length so I could tuck in the cami if desired. I lengthen the Ogden cami front and back pattern pieces by 1 1/2" as well as lengthening the interior shell pieces 1 1/2" so they fell past my bust. I made four of the standard straps and tried to sew them in at a slight angle allowing them to fall away from each other. I had a bit of difficulty with the thickness created by adding an additional strap to each side, but love how the final garment turned out.


The neutral colors and hints of blush pink and slate blue will make this cami a staple in my wardrobe. I had enough fabric to make both this basic and additional top, coming to the Minerva blog soon, and this Lady McElroy stretch crepe became the staple of my #thegreatmodulesewalong. I can't wait to show you may whole module later in March!



Time estimate: 3 hours
Size: 4
Fabric used: Lady McElroy stretch crepe fabric in tan, 25% stretch
Care instructions: cold water wash, tumble dry low

Cost to make
Pattern: Ogden cami, from my stash
Fabric: gifted, remnant
*used thread from my stash
TOTAL: FREE

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I've had my eyes on the ogden cami pattern for well over a year now and added it to my 2019 Make Nine list hoping to inspire myself to finally get around to making it. Well, I haven't made many of my 2019 Make Nine sewing projects, but found this summer's Ogden Ida Swap to be just the inspiration I needed (with a deadline and a partner depending on me) to make the ogden cami!


I found this gorgeous rayon fabric on sale at JoAnn early in July. I knew this fabric would be a perfect match for the ogden cami as soon as I saw it and the colors would compliment most things in my wardrobe. I had to have it!

I purchased two yards of the fabric in order to make an ogden cami for myself as well as my swap partner. I used a simple black cotton blend from my stash for the lining to conserve as much of the fashion fabric as possible.


This pattern was very straightforward and satisfying to make. I sewed our ogden camis using French seams, which added a bit more time but was well worth it. French seams create a very professional looking finish and one I was happy to share with another sewist.


My husband and I recently traveled to South Korea and I was able to pack both the ogden cami I made for myself as well as the one I received in the swap. I was glad to have such easy and lightweight blouses with me; Korea was HOT!


Amy, of Amy Nicole Studio, made the floral ogden cami picture above for me and I couldn't be more happy to have received it. First, you know I love all things floral. Second, all those colors make this cami "go" with everything. Thank you for making such a beautiful garment for me Amy.

Amy's version is fully lined and used a rolled hem. I think I'll take a few hints from her when I make my next ogden cami. And rest assured, there will be more!

Time estimate: 6 hours (to batch sew 2 ogden camis)
Size: 4
Fabric used: 2 yards, 100% rayon purchased from JoAnn and 1/2 yard cotton blend from my stash
Care instructions: machine wash cold, gentle cycle; line dry

Cost to make two ogden camis:
pattern: $8.50 (plus marginal printing costs)
rayon fabric: $12
*used thread from my stash
TOTAL: $20.50, or $10.25/cami plus shipping costs for one cami