It seems like everyone has made an Ogden Cami. Its’s achieved platinum status in the Indie realm. This of course made me very interested and very skeptical of the hype. 

The Ogden is famous for using very little fabric – allegedly under a yard! I have many scant yards of remnants in my stash, so I finally bought the pattern to see what all the fuss is about.

I had 1.5 yards of a 45″ wide cotton set aside for my first Ogden. I made it a challenge to see how little of that yardage I could get away with. I lay the fabric out completely flat, and folded the selvages to the center (actually, a bit off-center to accommodate the pattern pieces). 

I got away with nearly a yard, just a bit over – which was true to my expectations – I didn’t really think it would come in under 1 yard! That much is disappointing, I doubt I can use it to eat up all my scraps.

The construction method for the straps is really cool, you sew them in as you attach the facing to the neckline. The results is a really clean finish with even straps. And I love the shape of this neckline, especially in the back.

This pattern really needs fabric with a fluid drape – I think it would look amazing in rayon.  The cotton I used is too stiff and it shows. A rayon would drift and hug in the right places, where this cotton juts out. My highest compliment to this pattern is that the bust is fitted enough to never gape, although it can feel tight at times in the upper bust. Under the bust…it fits like a tent.

My verdict – I need to grade it down in the waist and use a fabric with oodles of drape to avoid tenting, but otherwise it’s a sound pattern! The construction methods are good and it seems to be well-drafted. I would recommend this pattern to beginners, but I advise making a test-fit first.

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My favorite way to wear this is with an open button-up shirt, which is the reason I made it- to enable more outfit possibilities.

Thanks for reading <3