Cassandra Rull's Handmade Dresses and Rompers

We love these one-of-a-kind gems from the North Shore designer.

March 10, 2015

Natalie Schack,

Christmas is the season for Pinterest-worthy hot chocolate on a stick.

Weddings? Time for crepe-flower folding and glittery streamers.

And everyone’s getting a hand-painted ombre mason jar planter for their birthdays.

If there’s one thing we love, it’s a good D.I.Y. project. Somehow, arts and crafts made with two hands and a lot of love have an extra oomph that manufactured baubles can’t match. The only problem? You’ve barely got time to make dinner, much less a sassy new skirt. You need the loved-in look without the long hours.

That’s one of the reasons why we think Cassandra Rull’s Handmade Shop is just sew cool. We already love the North Shore-based designer’s edgy, surf-tastic style: Her latest collections that she designed and then sent out for manufacturing included kimonos, tanks and swimwear in bright colors and tribal patterns. But knit that together with one-of-a-kind charm and it’s a patch made in heaven. Rull used to sell her handmade items on Etsy, but hasn’t listed them for years, until last month, when she created the Handmade Shop on her website.

Since then, she’s been creating up a storm: Her new slip-on rompers with pockets are perfect for a playful gal about town, and you’ll be glued to those color-blocked tunic dresses. Reversible, active, racer-style tops in fun ’60s prints are as versatile as can be—wear them inside or outside, for yoga or for surfing. Rull even sells charming patchwork pillows (also available in Urban Outfitters) made from a medley of gorgeous, tropical fabrics. Our favorite? This pretty box-cut dress (middle right photo) made with vintage Japanese silk that is perfect for the beach while cutting out any tired resort-wear clichés.

We’re in stitches. And we never want to get out of them.

$45–$138, shopcassandrarull.com.