“Don’t buy a suit to match your tie,” is a proverb that has served me very well… except when it should be ignored, such as with this project.  It started with a picture of knit+crochet cuffs I saw online, which led me to grab knitting needles and some cotton yarn from my stash, and experiment with the design.  Soon I had a set of cuffs I loved, with nothing to put them on.

So, with cuffs in hand and no plan except that I might like them on a dress, I went fabric shopping, and came home with this lightweight rayon plaid:

For a pattern, I decided on the “Coco dress” from Tilly and the Buttons.  The dress has simple, basic lines; is fast to construct; and worked well for me on a prior dress.

I sewed the dress and attached the cuffs before deciding what to do with the neckline.  At that point, the answer was obvious–make a collar to match the cuffs.

The finished dress:  Tada!

I’ve now worn the dress once, and am quite happy with it.  Here are a few thoughts on the dress and fabric:

• The A-line skirt makes the dress bicycle-friendly.
• The cotton cuffs and collar, and lightweight rayon make a very comfortable dress.
• The lightweight fabric makes the dress fit easily under a blazer when called for at work, or under a jacket for chilly Fall mornings and evenings.
• The weight of the dress feels quirky on the hanger because the fabric is lightweight and flowy, while the cuffs and collar are weightier cotton.  The weight disparity isn’t evident when the dress is being worn.
• The rayon fabric is not very durable.  It will be susceptible to snags.  The edges of the fabric fray profusely, so I had to finish all of the edges first thing.
• About that plaid.  I should have had my head examined for buying flimsy fabric with a plaid that had to be matched.  Eventually, I figured out a method that mostly worked, but not before several frustrated do-overs.  Marking a straight hem was a bear, too, because of the shifty fabric and the plaid.

A few more views:

The back neck closure was finished with two self-fabric covered buttons and crochet button hole loops.

The horizontal plaid matching.

Hall mirror selfie.

Project Details:

• Yarn–100% cotton, Lion Brand 24/7 in Ecru, one (1) skein.  http://www.lionbrand.com/yarn/24-7-cotton.html
• Fabric–100% rayon, from Joann.  https://www.joann.com/perfectly-plaid-rayon-fabric-54in-cream-red-black/15492796.html
• Knitting needles–(US) size 2 circular.
• Crochet hook–size 2.5mm.
• Sewing pattern–the wonderful ‘Coco’ dress, from Tilly and the Buttons.  https://shop.tillyandthebuttons.com/products/coco
• My inspiration for the knit+crochet cuffs was this fingerless mittens design I’ve seen on Etsy.  (This seller offers them for $30/pair, which seems like a more-than-fair price for the work and materials involved.)  https://www.etsy.com/listing/162896361/knit-crochet-cuffs-fingerless-mittens