So I am finally jumping on the Colette patterns bandwagon. So many have done great versions so I just had to give in. I chose the Parfait dress, but could just as easily picked another pattern. They all look great! While pink can be lovely I want something to wear for fall so I bought a cool retro rayon print from Totally fabrics.
It’s only a 1.5 meters long remaint, almost a yard less than recommended, but I’m sure I can squeeze in this dress somehow, using another fabric for the lining and interfacing if necessary.
When Sarai of Colette patterns says that her styles are fitted, she really means it. While I have a pretty defined waist, it looks like I need to add almost 1 inch of ease around that area to be fully comfortable. Even though it means extra work for me, I still appreciate her initiative to draft patterns for curvy women (i.e. big bust/small waist) since most pattern companies doesn’t really cater for that body type.
And hopefully her patterns will work for less endowed people like me too. The fit of Colette patterns seems to be proper vintage (as in 50’s – early 60’s) and not faux vintage like the re-issues from Simplicity and Butterick that I have tried in the past.
7 Comments
'Toya
September 22, 2009 at 3:18 amI have read everything and have my fabric picked out – Im just dreading the FBA on this one! I can't wait to see your version!
Johanna
September 22, 2009 at 5:24 am>>Toya: Yes alterations is generally no fun. I had to a SBA on this one and I'm not sure I got it right. Also I started cutting out the fabric last night and the amount of pattern pieces are so overwhelming. And several needs to be cut out x4 times on top of that.
meli88a
September 22, 2009 at 11:32 amI never heard of Colette before — the designs look really fun and vintage-y. Thanks for the head's up. I look forward to seeing your dress!
lsaspacey
September 22, 2009 at 2:32 pm'Toya,
Definitely do some measurements and tissue fit because I believe that the way the pattern was drafted is that you won't need to do a FBA at all. The adjustments needed I've heard the most are women making SBAs.
luckylibbet
September 22, 2009 at 5:07 pmMy daughter sewed the Chantilly as her summer project. She is a 34DD and needed NO BUST ADJUSTMENTS at all. In fact, the only alteration she needed was a smidge of width at the waist. Good luck with your version!
Antoinette
September 24, 2009 at 2:36 amI have been curious about these patterns! Can't wait to see your finished product.
Johanna
September 24, 2009 at 4:55 pmInteresting info about the generous bust allowance. I suspected such since the finished bust width is considerably bigger than in "normal" garments. As I said think it's a great initiative since the bust issue seems to be something that many sewers struggle with