Nina Lee Camden Pinafore Sewing Pattern Review

The project I have to share with you today was much more fun to sew than it was to photograph! In case you're wondering, a plain navy garment is not that easy to capture on camera in very changeable but permanently windy February weather. So the photos in this post might not be the finest that have ever appeared here, but hopefully they'll still give you a good picture of my Nina Lee Camden pinafore.

I love a good pinafore, and wear them quite a lot for large part of the year so I've been meaning to add to my collection for a while. The Camden pinafore looked like a good option so I included it in my Make Nine challenge this year to ensure I got around to making it.

The Camden is a bit different from other pinafore patterns that I've made - it's fully lined and has a full back rather than straps, both of which will make it a bit warmer to wear in winter. The bodice is closely fitted with princess seams and a deep V-neck, and the skirt has handy patch pockets.

Sewing the Camden pinafore was a treat - it's been a while since I made a fully lined dress, and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy the clean finish that it gives you. It initially seems like quite a lot of work because you're essentially making two dresses, but it always feels worth it once the work is done. Plus it's a good opportunity to use up leftovers from other projects so you can get pretty insides!

The instructions are thorough and detailed, and I found them to be very easy to follow throughout. I didn't struggle with any anything, but there were a couple of little bits that I did that weren't mentioned in the instructions. Firstly I cut a couple of millimetres off the curved and angled edges of the pocket linings to help ensure that they'd press under fully and not peep through on the outside of the garment. I also catch stitched the waistband of the lining to the seam allowance of the outer waistband to help the lining sit nicely inside the pinafore.

In terms of sizing, I cut a 12 at the bust and blended out to a 16 at the waist and hips. The 12 is the size recommended for my current bust measurement, and my waist and hips are currently between a 14 and 16 but based on the finished garment measurements I thought I'd be happier going up to the larger size. I think I was right to do this - the pinafore is nicely fitted but still has enough space to allow me to wear any of my tops with it.

I also lengthened the pinafore quite a bit - I added 4cm to the bodice and 10cm to the skirt. I'm about 5'9", so it's fairly standard for me to have to lengthen patterns but this is more length than I usually have to add (particularly to the skirt).

The main fabric I used is a navy stretch needlecord from Textile Express. It's actually the same fabric that I used for my M7475 culottes last year so I knew it would be a pleasure to work with and make a dress that's lovely to wear. The slight stretch in the fabric gives it that bit of extra comfort.

I lined the bodice and pockets with some floral cotton left over from a project from a few years ago, and lined the skirt in some generic white lining fabric that was in my stash but I have absolutely no recollection of buying (slightly worrying!).

Photographic challenges aside (and let's face it, they don't really matter!), I'm really happy with how my Camden pinafore has turned out. It was an enjoyable project to sew, it feels lovely on and I think I'll be wearing it a lot - not least because it goes with just about any top that I could possibly want to wear with it. It's definitely a winner!