Burda Style For people who sew
Colette pastille in wool flannel
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964
Description
Earlier this year I was lucky enough to be given the lovely Colette Sewing Handbook as a gift. For those of you familiar with Colette patterns you will know how beautifully presented the little pattern booklets are- well the same is definitely true of their book.
It is filled with fabulous sewing tips and comes with five exclusive Colette patterns. I have just got around to completing my first one- the Colette Pastille dress that is featured on the cover.
I made up the dress in a really warm wool fabric in an icy blue/ green color that I bought online from a UK company called Stone Fabrics. I also decided to add a lining to the dress and lined it with some superior lining from another UK fabric company called Truro Fabrics. I love their lining as its really nice to work with, completely anti-static (so doesnt cling to hosiery at all!) and is breathable so really comfortable to wear.
The pattern came up quite big- I made the size 0 and the top half fitted perfectly but I had to remove a total of 6cm from the hips. To do this I removed 1.5 cm from the front and back side seams from the hips all the way down to the hem and sloping up to zero at the waist.
I also slightly reduced the dropped shoulders as I have very square shoulders that just kind of propelled the capped sleeves straight out and made me look like a cross between someone from the 1980s wearing huge shoulder pads and someone going to outer space! I have had to do this previously with a vintage pattern with similar shaped shoulders so it wasnt really a surprise.
Because I draft a lot of my own patterns I am in the habit of always making up a calico toile before cutting my fashion fabric so these little modifications were no trouble; I just marked them on the calico and then transferred them back to the paper.
I didnt include the pretty pleats that are featured at the hem of the dress on this version as the wool I was using was quite thick and I thought they may end up too bulky.
After I had completed the dress I made a self-covered belt to wear with it. I LOVE making these! They are so quick to do and I think they add such a vintage feel to outfits. I couldnt find the buckles anywhere in the UK so I order mine from A Fashionable Stitch in the USA – she has a great selection of different shapes and sizes and the shipping from America to the UK takes no time at all.
I am so happy with my Pastille dress. I think its a great wardrobe staple and suitable for so many different occasions, day or evening. I will definitely make this dress up again in some other colors; I think it would be super cute with a little coordinating cropped jacket.
I would also highly recommend the book- I think it would be a particularly good addition if you are new to sewing as it provides lots of clear instructions for adjusting patterns to fit. Its also just a really pretty book to own. I am looking forward to trying some of the other patterns.
My full review with additional photos can be found on my sewing blog The Little Tailoress.
Material Notes
Wool flannel
Difficulty
Novice
Categories
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Apr 2, 2013, 02.59 PMby Bridget Mahoney
I bought the book a few months ago, but wasn’t so sure about that dress. I love your version! The belt gives it a modern finish. You’ve inspired me to give the pattern a go!
Feb 26, 2013, 04.27 PMby Mark N Felicity Jackson
Wow!!! You look stunning. Beautiful colour & fabric choice.
Feb 4, 2013, 09.15 PMby annie-s-1
This dress is just perfect. My daughter is a 0 and it can be so difficult to find a good fit, hence I am we’ll practiced in making alterations. Again, a wonderful choice of fabric.
1 Reply
Feb 6, 2013, 10.10 AMby Thelittletailoress
Aw thank you! x
Jan 31, 2013, 02.32 AMby Jennifer Gibson
This is such a beautiful version. I’m actually working on my own Pastille muslin at the moment, and we seem to be in the same boat. I’m a size 0 bodice, and I have sort of square shoulders that propel sleeves outward. So, what exactly did you do to reduce the shoulders? It looks like you may have just lopped off some of the sleeve, but I can’t be sure. My bodice fits me well, but the sleeves are something I’ve been trying to talk myself into being ok with, so any advice you can offer is so much appreciated.
1 Reply
Jan 31, 2013, 06.59 PMby Thelittletailoress
Thank you! Yep that is exactly what I did- I took 1.5cm off the sleeves at the shoulders and then obviously did the same on the sleeve facings. I found that once the facings were stitched in place this made enough of a difference :o) Hope that helps a bit. Look forward to seeing yours! x
Jan 31, 2013, 12.41 AMby Ricardo Abreu
You look like a doll in it. Congratulations
1 Reply
Jan 31, 2013, 06.54 PMby Thelittletailoress
Thank you! x
Jan 31, 2013, 12.28 AMby neveenkarnes
Very well done. Looks amazing on you.. Beautiful color too!!
1 Reply
Jan 31, 2013, 06.53 PMby Thelittletailoress
Thank you! :o) x
Jan 30, 2013, 04.32 PMby clementine75
This is really lovely !! I’ve ordered the book, and I’m soooo impatient to have it (but as I’m in France, it takes a long long time to come to me !!) !! This dress is on my to-do list already !
1 Reply
Jan 31, 2013, 06.53 PMby Thelittletailoress
I know that feeling too well, I always seem to end up ordering things from far away lands on etsy! I spend half my life waiting for the postman! Hehe!
Hope it turns up for you soon- it’s such a lovely book :o)
Jan 30, 2013, 04.13 PMby SewNotWork
Beautiful dress. Like the belt. Thanks for the tip on A Fashionable Stitch. What did you use for the belt part? Heavy interfacing?
1 Reply
Jan 30, 2013, 04.27 PMby Thelittletailoress
Thank you! I actually used this belt backing from eBay
http://tinyurl.com/a2fsuou
They sell it in various widths. I think it would be fine with heavy interfacing but with this the cutting is all done for you!
Xx
Jan 30, 2013, 04.02 PMby sala22
This is so elegant! I love it!
1 Reply
Jan 30, 2013, 04.22 PMby Thelittletailoress
Aw thank you!!xx
Jan 30, 2013, 03.51 PMby MojoHollz
Love it! So well tailored and you look fabulous in it!
1 Reply
Jan 30, 2013, 04.22 PMby Thelittletailoress
Thank you very much!!x
Jan 30, 2013, 03.32 PMby Inga 888
wow, you make beautiful stuff, this dress is perfection on you :)
1 Reply
Jan 30, 2013, 04.22 PMby Thelittletailoress
Thank you so much :o) x
Jan 30, 2013, 01.33 PMby misumihaela
beautifull and so elegant!
1 Reply
Jan 30, 2013, 04.22 PMby Thelittletailoress
Thank you!!x
Jan 30, 2013, 01.27 PMby ariation
Beautiful dress! and the belt is lovely, I may have to try that myself………….definitely inspired to get the book now!
1 Reply
Jan 30, 2013, 04.21 PMby Thelittletailoress
Aw thank you! The book is lovely!! X
Jan 30, 2013, 11.04 AMby ladafl
I like your dress and matching belt a lot!
1 Reply
Jan 30, 2013, 11.15 AMby Thelittletailoress
Thank you so much! Love a matching belt!! :o) x
Jan 30, 2013, 10.49 AMby Mary Athey
This.is.just gorgeous!! The colours great.in you. I think.a matching.jacket.would.look so.good with.this. I.m a big fan of matching dress and.jackets, very.vintage x
1 Reply
Jan 30, 2013, 11.15 AMby Thelittletailoress
Thank you!! Yep so keen to make the jacket! :o) xx