Komani cape dress – Bootstrap Fashion

Komani cape dress Komani cape dress

This is the Komani cape dress, the second pattern that I made from Bootstrap Fashion. As I have mentioned in my previous post about Bootstrap Fashion, the patterns are drafted according to your individual body measurements including height and other details like belly protuberance and upper arm circumference, among other things.

This pattern is one of the exclusive design made by indie designers who use the same Leko fit customization technology. Bootstrap Fashion allows indie designers to set their own price, that is why these patterns are set on much higher price than other Bootstrap Fashion patterns.
Komani cape dress

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Komani Cape Dress – Bootstrap Fashion

I was attracted to the dress’ many interesting details. From the front, it looks like the dress has a cape over the shoulder. But from the back, the cape is integrated to the back part. To achieve this effect, the back side pieces have lining pieces that are attached to the armholes. I’m sure I don’t make much sense here but hopefully you will understand it when you see the pieces.

The recommended fabric is medium weight jersey. I found this cotton knit fabric with giant brush strokes design which I think complement this dress pattern quite well.

There are many things that I love about this dress, but let’s talk about these first:

  • At $9.95 (+$0.5 for seam allowances), this pattern is much more expensive. Ordinary Bootstrap Fashion patterns are only $2.99.
  • It does have more instructions compared to ordinary Bootstrap Fashion, but it is very confusing to me.
  • The instruction has step by step photos, however the photos are poorly lit and often fail to show clearly what is going on. Since this is a rather complicated dress, clear pictures are necessary.

Komani cape dress

  • I ended up doing the neckline differently because I couldn’t understand how to finish it. In the instruction, the neckline is finished before attaching the sleeves, I just made a simple neck band strip similar to T-shirt’s neck band.

Komani cape dress

  • My finished dress is a bit different than the technical drawing and the photos in the pattern page. The shoulders on my dress dropped much lower, so probably I have made some mistakes in the process.

Komani cape dress

Apart from all these things, I still think the design is brilliant. I love how the lining pieces shape the armhole area and create the underside of the cape. This is definitely not a basic piece. People will notice the details and make comments about it. I just wish that I can understand how to construct it better.

The dress is also quite comfortable because basically it is a loose knit dress. It will get lots of wear this summer for me. When my husband saw in the dress, he said that it kinda looked like an insect. He really meant that as a compliment though!

Komani cape dress

Komani cape dress Komani cape dress

Pattern is Komani cape dress – Bootstrap fashion custom-fit sewing pattern

Disclosure: Bootstrap fashion has sent me credit store to use in their pattern store. However, the views and opinions expressed are purely my own.

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17 Comments

  1. Fascinating. I’ve loved the lines of this style of dress since I first saw one, not that long ago either. You wear it beautifully – fabulous fabric!

  2. This dress is amazing! I was looking for a cape dress pattern for a long time. Thanks to you I might have found it now.

    1. The fabric requirement on the pattern page is 1.5 yards for 56″ width fabric. I think I use about 1 yard because I’m petite.

  3. This is such an interesting design! I am intrigued by these customized patterns, but think that for such a unique pattern such as this, good instructions are paramount! I still think your finished garment is brilliant! So fashion forward and artistic!

    1. Yes this is actually a great pattern! The shape of the pattern pieces are quite peculiar and you can learn a lot by thinking of how to piece them together. Thank you Sallie!

  4. Did you click on “Customise” underneath the Pro fit heading near the bottom and add in your shoulder measurement? With this dress style, I do not know if that could make a difference, but you might tweak the shoulder length if you make it again. My comment below still applies and I find this pattern concept interesting.

    1. I didn’t use the Pro Fit option but I don’t think that this is a problem since I don’t have shoulder problem with other Bootstrap patterns. I think this is a construction matter that I didn’t understand. Maybe the top of the sleeves should be overlapped or something. Thank you! :)

  5. A good sewist is a problem solver. You “made it work” brilliantly. What a perfectly great dress to wear for a walk in the park. I know where your husband’s compliment is coming from and I agree.

  6. This is really cool – I love cape dresses and interesting construction. Wonder if i’d be able to handle it if i bought the pattern. Love the fabric you picked too.

  7. Your dress looks great and I’d be interested in trying it out myself, but I don’t feel like spending 10$ on a pattern with low-quality instructions. I’d much rather try drafting something similar myself. So thanks for the honest review!

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