Cashmerette Duxbury Dress Review: The Perfect Knit-and-Woven Summer Dress

Summer sewing often has me reaching for easy, one-and-done garments, and the new Cashmerette Duxbury Dress* checks all the boxes.

As soon as I saw this pattern, I knew it was going to fit right into my warm-weather wardrobe. It combines a comfortable knit bodice with a woven gathered skirt, giving you the look of a separate top and skirt while still enjoying the simplicity of a dress.

I've been seeing this style everywhere lately, from designer collections to affordable ready-to-wear retailers. The combination of a fitted knit top and flowing woven skirt feels modern, comfortable, and incredibly wearable.

After making two versions, I can already tell these dresses are going to get a lot of wear this summer. Read on or watch here:

What Is the Cashmerette Duxbury Dress?

The Duxbury Dress is the June 2026 Club pattern from Cashmerette* and is available through the Cashmerette Club.

As always, if you're interested in joining Cashmerette Club, Use code TOMKAT10 for $10 off the All-Access tier or TOMKAT20 for 20% off eligible Cashmerette collection patterns*.

One of the most interesting things about the Duxbury is its compatibility with the popular Grafton pattern collection. The bodices, skirts, sleeves, and necklines can be mixed and matched across both patterns, opening up hundreds of possible combinations.

Duxbury Pattern Features

The pattern includes:

• Knit bodice with woven gathered skirt
• Two neckline options
• Sleeved and sleeveless views
• Front bust darts
• Back waist darts
• Midi-length skirt
• In-seam pockets
• Optional elasticized waist
• Mix-and-match compatibility with Grafton components

The flexibility is honestly one of the biggest strengths of this pattern.

Why the Knit-and-Woven Combination Works So Well

The magic of this design is the fabric pairing.

The knit bodice provides comfort and ease while the woven skirt adds structure, movement, and styling possibilities that aren't always available in an all-knit dress.

I especially love that the woven skirt allows for functional pockets without the weight issues that sometimes happen when pockets are added to knit dresses. The woven fabric supports the pocket bags beautifully.

This style also creates a polished look without sacrificing comfort, which is exactly what I want during the hottest months of the year.

My Two Duxbury Dresses

For both versions, I sewed:

• Size 10
• GH cup
• Skirt shortened by 3 inches
• Optional waist elastic added

I'm 5'2", while Cashmerette drafts for a height of 5'6", so shortening the skirt helped me achieve my preferred midi length.

Interestingly, I didn't shorten the bodice at all and was very happy with the final fit.

Version One: Sleeveless Duxbury

The sleeveless version features:

• Higher jewel neckline
• Knit binding finish at neckline and armholes
• Bright floral linen-viscose skirt
• Cotton-spandex knit bodice

I typically avoid higher necklines because they can sometimes feel overwhelming on a larger bust. However, Cashmerette's drafting consistently impresses me. The neckline sits beautifully and feels balanced rather than restrictive.

Version Two: Sleeved Duxbury

The second version includes:

• Scoop U-neckline
• Neckband finish
• Elbow-length sleeves
• Deep cuff detail
• Coordinating linen-viscose skirt

This was also the version I used for my sew-along demonstration.

The Duxbury Dress Sew Along

If you'd like a little extra guidance while making this pattern, I also created a complete sew-along for the Cashmerette Duxbury Dress. In the video, I walk through the construction of both dress views step by step and demonstrate how to sew the knit portions using a regular sewing machine. I also cover helpful techniques like stabilizing shoulder seams with clear elastic or stay tape, adding the optional waistband elastic, and achieving clean finishes on both the neckline and armholes.  You can watch the full sew along below:

Fabric Recommendations for the Duxbury Dress

One of the questions I expect to hear most often is about fabric selection.

Knit Fabric Suggestions

For the bodice, the pattern recommends lightweight to medium-weight jersey knits.

Great options include

• Cotton-spandex jersey
• Rayon-spandex jersey
• Viscose jersey
• Modal jersey
• Rib knits

I used cotton-spandex jersey for both of my dresses and loved the results.

 Woven Fabric Suggestions

For the skirt, lightweight woven fabrics work best.

Some excellent choices include:

• Cotton lawn
• Lightweight linen
• Linen-viscose blends
• Rayon challis
• Viscose challis
• Eyelet fabrics
• Seersucker

Because the skirt is gathered, I would avoid heavier fabrics that could add unnecessary bulk around the waistline.

My skirts were sewn from linen-viscose blends*, and the drape is absolutely lovely.

Helpful Construction Tips

1. Stabilize Your Shoulder Seams

If you're sewing the sleeved version, I strongly recommend stabilizing the shoulder seams. You can do this with either clear elastic or woven fusible stay tape. This prevents stretching and helps maintain the garment's shape over time.

2. Consider Adding the Waist Elastic

I wasn't sure whether I wanted the optional waist elastic at first.

I often prefer garments that skim over my midsection without any additional cinching. After trying it, though, I ended up adding the elastic to both dresses.

The elastic helps:

• Support the weight of the skirt
• Maintain waist definition
• Improve overall garment stability

For me, it was absolutely worth including.

Sewing Knits Without a Serger

One thing I want to emphasize is that you do not need a serger to make this dress.

If you're new to sewing knits, don't let that stop you from trying this pattern. I walk through the construction process in my sew-along, including how to handle the knit portions using standard sewing machine stitches.

If you'd like additional help, don't forget to grab my free Sewing with Knits ebook. It's packed with tips and techniques that can make working with knit fabrics much less intimidating.

Final Thoughts on the Cashmerette Duxbury Dress*

The knit-and-woven combination creates a garment that looks polished but feels effortless to wear. Add in the interchangeable Grafton options, pockets, multiple necklines, and endless fabric possibilities, and it's easy to see why I immediately started planning additional versions.

In fact, I had to stop myself from pulling even more knit and woven scraps from my stash to make a third and fourth version.

For now, I'm going to wear these two dresses for a while and see just how often I reach for them. Based on first impressions, I have a feeling they'll become summer wardrobe staples.

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