In love with Colette

Pattern: Crepe wrap dress by Colette

Fabric: Turquoise seersucker from John Lewis

Size: 8 (US sizing!)


I had almost finished a Butterick vintage dress but had some fitting issues. I think and hope that I've worked out how to resolved these, but needed to step away for a bit so I didn't just get frustrated and upset with the poor dress. I needed to make something that would work really well and boost my confidence again after that little set-back.
I recently discovered Colette patterns and immediately wanted to make at least 5 of them. I loved them so much I was prepared to pay to have them shipped from America, but then, to my delight, discovered that www.sewbox.co.uk sell them in the UK! Yay! I settled for buying two, knowing the wrap dress would be the first I would make. I have loved this pattern since the second it landed on my doormat. First, they are beautifully presented in a handsewn booklet with the pattern pieces in a little pouch at the back.
Second, the instructions are soooooo clear and easy to follow it's almost unbelievable! There have been many times I've struggled with a pattern because a step has been badly explained or a picture has made no sense, but none of that here!
I decided that I didn't want to spoil the beauty of this pattern with which I was so enamoured, and so I traced the pattern pieces. I was really pleased to have put in the extra time doing this as it means I can adjust as I go, and use the pattern many more times in as many different sizes as I like!
The dress was a joy to make, and came along really quickly. Tracing the pattern and cutting the fabric took a couple of evenings, and then the making of the dress just one afternoon! Unfortunately it was a very hot afternoon and my sewing room is our conservatory so it was a rather sticky, indelicate experience, but I couldn't wait!
I am unbelievably pleased with the result. It fits wonderfully (aided of course by being a wrap dress), with darts in just the right places, and pretty sleeves. It is so fabulously girly that I just spent a while skipping around the house, twizzling around, skipping, and dancing. If you're not quite convinced of its girliness, don't forget there's a big bow on the back. Heaven. Yet it also manages to look quite sophisticated. I think the neckline (one of two options: there's also a sweetheart version) is grown-up and simple and the fact that it wraps from behind leaves a very glamorous v-neck at the back.
Another great thing about the patterns is that they include handy tips, so for example, it recommends tying off the threads for the darts instead of back-stitching which makes them sit flatter.
And I got to make pockets again. I think pockets are one of my favourite things about sewing and I love having them included in unexpected items such as this gloriously girly dress.

More of these may appear in the future.