Obviously crazed and not thinking too clearly (and possibly somewhat over-ambitious coming off the high of finishing the Swing Dress Sew-Along), I decided a little over ten days ago to jump into a new sewing project and begin working on Colette Patterns Crepe dress. My in-laws gave me this pattern for Christmas, and it’s been waiting patiently for my attention ever since. I am not usually a fan of wrap dresses on my shape, but after seeing pictures popping up around various blogs (and of course Gertie’s sew-along), I knew I had to make this dress. Fast forward a number of evenings spent sewing, and I had a finished Crepe!
The fabric I chose was a cotton-wool challis blend I bought ages ago from Denver Fabrics. Originally slated for a 30s dress that was never made, I think it suited this pattern very well. Albeit, the colors are a bit out of season for springtime… But it’s that medley of autumn-hued red, purple, oranges and gold that go well with a large part of my fall and spring clothes, so it works as a multi-season dress.
As usual, I did have to make some changes; yes I did bother to make a muslin! Which was a good idea on my part, because as forgiving as wrap styles are, this one would have been quite off without fitting. I did a small bust adjustment, took in the side seams a tiny bit, lowered the neckline slightly, reduced the curve of the shoulders, took some fullness out of the back, and lengthened the bodice by 1″ (being the owner of a long torso). I think the only additional fitting change I would have made is to reshape the sleeves. Although I reduced the top curve a bit, I’m not that crazy about the actual sleeve edge shape… I think perhaps it has something to do with how my shoulders and upper arms are shaped, but I don’t feel it’s the most flattering.
At the risk of gushing about yet another Colette Patterns design, this really was a dream to sew up. Not only was it quick, but the construction tips and instructions were flawless. I did, of course, add a few other touches: piping along the neckline and sleeves and binding the waistline seam (a bit fiddly–mostly due to my late-night sewing spree). I also added exposed hooks and eyes to the back bodice overlap as a homage to my favorite designer: Claire McCardell. Not so much an aesthetic addition (though it does add a little something), but as a remedy for lengthening the bodice which in turn lengthened the back edges. I could have adjusted the back neckline angle, but that would have resulted in needing to fit another muslin. So with the help of a package of oversized hooks and eyes (which I ended up waiting for 20 minutes in line at JoAnn’s for!), and a couple minutes the little “problem” was fixed.
Overall another great pattern from Colette Patterns. I don’t know how Sarai does it, but she keeps cooking up winners–I can’t wait to see what new things she has planned for the pattern line this year!
[ all photos thanks to the super-talented Sailor Husband! ]
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OMG! your hair is amazing! you need to do a tutorial on it ASAP! I am in love!!!!
That dress is adorable and the hair is gorgeous as always. Hope there’s a tutorial in the near future
i love it! it reminds me of a vintage “swirl” brand dress.
i totally understand about wanting sleeves a certain way, but i think these look lovely!
I love that dress, it’s so pretty! Your sewing is absolutely amazing, I’m in awe!
From Carys of La Ville Inconnue
Oh Casey it’s lovely! I just adore the fabric. I also think the sleeves look great on you ;D
Lovely! The shoes look great with it too!
LOVE everything! Hair, dress, and shoes! The fabric looks so sweet and girlie.
Just stunning! I love what you did with the neckline. Perfect! The fabric is so cute.
These photographs are really beautiful, too!
Casey, this is such a beautiful dress and I love the color (I’d totally wear that in spring even with the autumn color palette!). I posted my fabric for this dress in the sew-along Flickr pool, but then got sidetracked by other projects. I’ve had such a rough time figuring out what color sash I want to pair the fabric with, but I’m thinking a matching sash would be really pretty! And your up do really shows off the back beautifully. It snowed here late last night, I’m envious of your Florida weather!
Love it! The fabric is just adorable! I loved sewing this pattern for Gertie’s sew-along.
It looks really great! I think I need to get this pattern.
It really is gorgeous on you! Beautiful job and I love the fabric. Still a great style for Spring even if the colors are more fall like. The back is breathtaking on you. I love the V and the beautiful addition of the piping really finishes the dress. Looks fabulous!
xoxo,
Sunni
So lovely!! Ill have to add this pattern to my wishlist!! I think the wrap styling will be much less stress-inducing for my new post pregnancy shape! tee hee Your eye for colours and fabrics is so elegant!
Love that you piped the neckline and sleeves, gives a really nice finish to them. Love the lines in the back of the dress, looks great on you!
The dress turned out beautifully! And I agree with everyone else, your hair looks amazing, too (I would also love to see a tutorial =). I’m getting ready to order the Ceylon dress pattern from them (I’m smitten with it), but now I see how pretty the Crepe one is, too!
P.S. I know this is a little off-topic, but I’m behind on my swing dress and hoping to make it this week…what kind of fabric would be best for underlining a rayon challis fabric for the dress? I’m going to Hobby Lobby tomorrow and need so pick something up, since my fabric is pretty sheer, but I’ll have limited options there. I read somewhere broadcloth, but would that be too heavy?
~Kristin
Oh Casey, it’s a dream of a dress. Love it, I also love that you add to patterns your own style, it’s a talent to know how to do that. Beautiful!
I love it! And I agree with you about the sleeve (extensions?) And it has nothing to do with your shoulders or upper arms! I think it looks slightly flying-nun-ish. I would probably eliminate them altogether. Is there a variation without, I wonder?
I really liked this one when I saw it sewn up by Colette’s, and really want to sew it up for myself, but my dressmaking waiting list has me just finishing the Eclair (in a navy cotton sateen with Oyster white sash and piping) and I’m now cutting the Chantilly (in a pinky-peachy Queensland Crepe). So…It may take me a year or two to get to this one
Yours is fab!
Casey, you look absolutely gorgeous! The dress is lovely, and the fabric is perfect! LOVE LOVE LOVE!
Casey–this is sooo beautiful! I think the colors look fantastic on you and the dress really suits you! Fantastic job!
Just want to chime in with the love for your dress and the hair…ooooh, the hair!
Makes me want to be a better person so I can come back as a redhead.
I love how you personalise your makes,and I definately prefer that neckline. Looks like such a lovely day too. The sun has been shining all day here today for the first time in weeks.
I can feela bit of gardening coming on…
Px
Your dress is lovely. I have the crepe pattern as well and it has been waiting for me to use it. I love the colors of the dress. Very nice!
oh Casey! it’s really lovely (and you can totally pull off those colors in the spring) In fact, it’s so lovely that I might be convinced to pull out my sewing machine and sew a garment from scratch–which I haven’t done in who knows how long. Are the sleeves/bodice all one piece? I’d love to do a longer (even elbow length) sleeve, but I’m afraid it’ll be a pain to edit the pattern. (i love the idea of sewing. I just am not detail oriented enough to REALLY love sewing
I love your version so much! The small floral print really gives it such an entirely different feel than some of the others I’ve seen. Looks so casual and romantic!
Wow! Yet a again, you’re hair looks fabulous!! I deffinitly wouldn’t mind a tutorial (I’m scoring high with your latest hairtutorial. Thanks for that one!)
And the dress also looks fab on you! I can’t wait ’till I am that advanced and can sew as beautiful as you do!
That is so pretty, and looks just wonderful on you – both colorwise and style. I tend to agree with you about the sleeves, though. I’m thinking (maybe this is the time of year) that sleeveless would be very pretty, but they do add an interesting styling twist. Hmmmmm….can’t think offhand what you could change otherwise about them. Oh! What if you made a little “pleat” on them to pull in some of the fullness? Then you could also add a decorative button or something. Just a thought.
Mom
I really like this one, both the colors and the style. Beautiful!
Casey, it’s the perfect dress for spring – thanks for sharing.
This works on so many levels! Great work on the neckline too, it’s very graceful and elongates the whole look!
Thanks so much for sharing this. Your styling of it this dress is absolutely beautiful. Lovely photos as well.
great fabric choice for this cut, perfecto for spring and summer, up north with blackor brown accents in winter.
Just amazing!!
Also.. I think Joann’s has cut back a lot on staff. I always have to wait a long time to check out too!
so pretty!!
Wow! I love the dress! I would love to be able to make clothes for myself! Right now I’m trying to make a civil war dress. A very simple camp drees style but I can’t find a pattern! I don’t have a dressform either so I’m in a spot! Any ideas???
Thank you so much! I have never been on the website with this pattern and I LOVE it and some of the other too. Your dress looks superb I am so jealous of your lovely weather already, we had glorious sun in the UK today, but brrrrrrr it was cold!
That dress is so beautiful! I’m always impressed how you find the time to do so many projects, while I have the feeling every spare minute I have, has to be spent in bed or in front of the computer. I think this colour palette really suits you and especially your hair colour, so I think it doesn’t really matter if this pattern is off-season!
Oh wow, it’s really beautiful. I must admit I wasn’t a great fan of this pattern before – the other versions I’ve seen are nice but would make me look about 12 years old. But yours seems more flowing and grown up. Not sure if that’s because of the fabric you used or what. In any case, it’s made me see this pattern through new eyes.
(Great pics too – well done, sailor husband!)
Gorgeous photos of even more stunning dress
I really like your hair colour and dress colour combo….also, I hope you are doing hairstyle tutorial soon 
Your dress is lovely!!
I really enjoy your blog and all the vintage outfits you make. Thanks for the inspiration!
~Alyssa
This dress really turned out great! Love the floral pattern fabric. I also really enjoy making wrap styles because they are usually so easy to fit and if you make a little mistake it’s not usually too hard to fix. I have one wrap skirt pattern that I’ll probably use to death because it’s so easy and looks great.
I adore the way your dress turned out. It’s gorgeous! And you’ll be glad to have such a fetching dress in autumnal colors come fall.
I have had my eye on the Crepe pattern this spring, too, thanks in no small part to the recent photoshoot Colette Patterns did with it. I love the neckline, dainty sleeves, and overall silhouette! More Colette Patterns are definitely on my wishlist!
Wonderful dress! Your alterations produced a great fit! I hadn’t ever thought to try the Crepe pattern either, but I have some ideas now
I think you just convinced me to sew the Crepe next- I’ve been at loose ends for a new project. But, most importantly…
Hair Tutorial? Please?
Beautiful dress, the colours are great for Spring. Inspires me to get a crepe pattern.
Beautiful dress! I love the print
it looks beautiful!!! did you die you hair? (because the color looks great with this dress!)
LOVELY! You did an AMAZING job on this dress – I definitely want to make one.
YES! I totally agree to everyone’s comments about a hair tutorial – you do SUCH a lovely job!
absolutely love the dress! your hair too. I think the piping was a brilliant touch but I also think the piping is what is making the sleeve fan out a bit. While i don’t see that as a negative others I have viewed on-line also flare a bit. All in all great look.
Gorgeous! I’m curious about the cotton wool challis. Is it a heavier fabric?
Wow! Your hair is amazing. Please put up a tutorial so the rest of us can look that fabulous. Also, I like your version of the Crepe. Now that I’m (almost) finished with your Swing Dress Sew-Along, I’m starting a Crepe as well. I’m waiting on my fabric to come in the mail-hopefully it turns out as well! If you have any fitting tips for an SBA for the Crepe, please share them!
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