The Colette Crepe

First off, let me say that I love Colette Patterns and Sarai's independentness (clearly not a word) and design esthetic. My all time favorite make thus far is my Macaron. But. You know, not all patterns are everyone's style. I had some misgivings about the Crepe dress from the start, and it's not only because when I see the dress I always, and I mean always, start humming... "girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes, snowflakes that stay...". I skipped Gertie's Crepe sew along at the beginning of this year because I just wasn't sure.


But. I won the pattern in a blog giveaway from Miss Snug Bug, and well, I did feel a small obligation to make it then. I mean, I try to only enter giveaways for things I want, and not just to enter and win stuff (ok, I did that once, and I actually won... oops...  it wasn't a sewing blog). So, I bought a gorgeous blue gray cotton linen blend, and made the first muslin in March. Then it lingered. Then I made another muslin, I think in May. OK, come ON. It was time to make the thing.


I'm going to show you the pictures and then give some observations.

• Construction-wise, its a beginner pattern.
• I'm different sizes on the top and bottom, so fit-wise, there are issues.
• Colette patterns are uniformly too wide across the chest (above the bust) for me.
• This stiff-ish fabric makes the sleeves stick out too much. I shortened them a little, and could have done with a smidge more.
• I had a heckuva time with the bust darts. I seem to remember Gertie covering this a lot during her sew along, and I should have gone back to see what she said.
• I had to do a huge sway back adjustment. Should have done more.
• The top is just not flattering on me. I'm too short waisted (or something) for that wide belt look.
• Not sure the butter yellow was the right choice.
• Linen is scratchy. I did underline the top, but should have made the facings out of a softer cotton.
• I used a catch stitch to anchor the facings to the underlining.
• I used a catch stitch to anchor the waist seam (covered with bias tape, but not folded over).
• I made the pockets out of voile.
• I wore a half slip for my skirt "lining".
• The wrap coverage is GREAT!
• The neckline needs something.
• The back darts are too far apart, and are in a weird place on me.
• I shortened the dress about an inch and a half (if I remember correctly).
• I'm not one for a big bow in the back (or even knot) and besides, no one in my house can do a good bow (but me), and my arms just don't bend that way.
• Gave it a test run today, and didn't feel too wrinkled.
• Wearability Index: 7

All told, while it's not my favorite dress, I do like it, and if my weight loss plan actually works this time, I can just wrap it tighter.