Frocktober always comes as a bit of a surprise. How is it, that all the perfectly reasonable sundresses you put away at the end of the warm weather have become mysteriously faded and shabby when you get them out again next time it warms up?
I am in urgent need of cool to wear dresses, and fortunately have a lovely stash of unused dress patterns which I may get through by the time I am 90.
This frock is not quite my cup of tea - yet. I am blaming my purchase of this pattern on the name, and on the novels of Alexander McCall Smith. I cannot abide drinking rooibos, but his wonderful character Precious Ramostwe does constantly. I think she might wear a frock like this. It is practical, shapely, and modestly cut (other than the length of the skirt in the original state of the pattern), but with some details that are possibly a bit youthful for me - or maybe it is my fabric that is the issue.
I like the pocket shaping, the fancy curved waistband, the piping, and the almost-collar.
I think I might wear a different version of a frock like this, in a more grown-up fabric combination in public (rather than just virtual public), but this one will be very useful for wearing around the house.
I did not make a toile. This one is my "wearable muslin", from quilting cotton with a luxurious silk and cotton twill blend for the contrast fabric (it doesn't take much). I used the pattern piece facings for the armscye and back neck, but extended the front facing to fully line the upper bodice. The retrofitting was reasonably easy, with no FBA, no short waistedness adjustment and no extra room for generosity of backside (yay for the torso block on Colette patterns for the more curvy!). I did make a square shoulder adjustment and took in the waist at the back, which as far as I am concerned, makes this one practically fitting out of the envelope. In addition, I cut out the skirt at the longest length (size 18+, Traditionally built Precious would fit into this size range) and made an itsy bitsy hem.
On second thoughts, I will definitely need another one.
On third thoughts, I have a lot of other dress patterns.
Stashbusting statistics, around 3m according to the back of the pattern envelope, fabrics 2010 from StitchBliss and 2011 from Michael's Fabrics
16 comments:
This dress definitely has some great little features. Love the idea you will be sewing dresses until you are 90 ... J
I'm thinking different fabric choices and you could definitely wear this out and about. The fit looks nice too.
This certainly has lovely details (which is why I bought the pattern, hehe.) It's nice to see it fit you so well almost out of the envelope. I've made two Colette patterns (as yet unblogged) and the fit was very poor on both, so I've been hesitant to make this one.
I agree this dress has some lovely details, and this one makes a very nice housedress indeed.
I hesitate over a lot of Colette Patterns, because I wonder if the aesthetic is a bit too juvenile for me now I am getting to..ahem, a "certain age". I think, though, a lot comes down to fabric choice.
Your dress does some have lovely details and I think the fabric has a lot to do with "not quite my cup of tea" however it will be the perfect house dress!
Lovely dress. Maybe the design lines could be better showcased on a plain fabric rather than a busy print? Love the piping detail.
Oh it's lovely! You know... there's Rooibos and then there's Rooibos. It's like comparing the nastiest instant coffee with the perfect latte. You just can't compare! I actually really like this dress on you - the proportions to my eye are really pleasing :) However... I do understand that it may not be to your everyday taste. You sew and you learn :)
That piping looks so beautiful...I think this dress would work in a different fabric.
Oh wow. Love the piping on your version.
It's a great fit, and a PERFECT color for you! I like the dress, and think it would look more "adult" in a sophisticated or urban print.
Great design features on the dress and it suits you well. I agree with Paola about the Colette design aesthetic - if I made this design, I'd have to lower the waist to sit on rather than above the natural waist.
I agree with other comments that there are some great features - I wonder if the high contrast between piping detail is one reason that you are not so sure of this look? You are fortunate to fit this pattern line - it was such a disappointment to me that I did not fit their top with the pleat in the middle!!
I cannot wait to see which dress pattern comes out next!!
I'm planning my next Rooibos too - this is a sweet wearable muslin, as a member of the virtual public, I approve ;)
The colour does remind me of rooibos too! the piping really lifts it up, imo :) it looks really cool comfy and easy to pop on so I'm sure you'll really love it as summer heats up.
"Patterns seeing you into your 90's" haha!! yes!
Those curved pockets are so nice. You definitely need another one. I love those books, too.
I like sundresses with a bit of shape to them and this one has some nice style lines. I think it looks good on you. You reminded me of how much I enjoyed McCall Smith's books, and the one season of the BBC series "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" featuring actress Jill Scott which was filmed in Botswana. I just found it on Netflix and added it to my queue.
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