The Edith Dress

Design Diary

Apr 19

I’ll never forget the day I started making the Edith Dress.

I was working at a hair salon in Nashville and had brought some cotton with me to play with during my break. I had an idea for a pencil skirt and had just learned how to make granny squares with circles, so I wanted to incorporate them into a garment. I finished the skirt in the break room and loved it, but I decided to keep adding to it. I had never made a garment before, and a circular skirt seemed easy enough. I kept adding to the skirt over the span of a year with the intention of creating a dramatic mermaid silhouette.

Dominique Calvillo's first skirt version of the Edith crochet dress from Namaste and Crochet

Dominique Calvillo's second skirt version of the Edith crochet dress from Namaste and Crochet

Dominique Calvillo's final version of the Edith crochet dress from Namaste and Crochet

Once the mermaid skirt was complete, I wore it a few times, thinking it was a finished piece. As I studied crochet garments more, I realized it wouldn’t be too hard to turn the skirt into a dress and began working on the top. Looking at the top now makes me laugh. I had no idea how to make the breast cups and was playing with shapes until I felt like something worked.

Dominique Calvillo's Edith crochet dress as seen from the back

At the time, I was making a ton of dream catchers and blankets, and a friend offered to take some photos of my pieces. At first, I was hesitant to photograph the dress and felt like something was missing.

The morning of the shoot, I decided to try a cap sleeve and made something in a similar pattern to the bottom lace of the dress. The dress felt complete, and I was happy with the result.

Seeing the finished product was like opening a new vortex of creativity. I started to understand shaping and how to manipulate stitches in a way that would contour around a body. My goal for this dress was to create a mermaid-style silhouette and accentuate curves. I am always blown away by how flattering the design is on everyone who tries it on.

Bride and groom with bride wearing Dominique Calvillo's Edith crochet dress from Namaste and Crochet

Edith has become a popular wedding dress design.

She has been featured in publications such as Brides Magazine and Junebug Weddings. She has also graced the runways of New York and Los Angeles Fashion week.

Bride wearing the Edith crochet dress from Namaste and Crochet designed by Dominique Calvillo

The Pattern

I was intimidated to write this pattern. Makers have been asking me for it for years, but I did not feel ready to attempt to put it in writing until now. I decided to release the pattern as a customizable recipe with two sleeve options: one drape and one cap sleeve.

I am so excited to share this pattern with the world and cannot wait to see other makers replicate the dress in their own style.