[ I wore this to a party last week, and the dress was a huge hit! ]
Back in October, Sarai of Colette Patterns emailed me to see if I’d be interested in testing a pattern from her newly released line. I had tested the Beignet Skirt last year, fallen in love with the pattern, so of course I said yes! I selected the Ceylon dress; a shirtwaist style sweetly reminiscent of the 40s looks I adore so much.
[ I added a slim, self fabric belt to the dress to accent the waist even further. ]
As with the other Colette Patterns designs I’ve worked with, the pattern was a dream to sew up, and in no time (I did it in a weekend–right before we left for our Virginia trip) I had a lovely dress! The fabric I picked out was not my first or preferred choice, a green polyester from JoAnn Fabrics. But, at the time, I didn’t have any other options. Quite happily though, I love how the bright color works with the pattern’s lines and even the fabric isn’t half bad (I normally shy away from polyester)! I also made a little self-fabric belt (not included in the pattern) because I’m obsessed with matching belts. lol. This dress has fast become one of my top favorites; it’s the right balance of lady-like charm and classic style. (In fact, I think this might be my Christmas dress this year!)
[ I just love the neckline piecing and soft gathers. ]
Sarai has also just released four other equally charming designs (all named after teas; so cute!) that I’m drooling over! Namely the Sencha blouse and Rooibos dress. The Lady Grey coat is also calling my name, but alas, living in FL (with an already overabundance of coats in my closet), I don’t really need another coat pattern. Maybe when I move back to a cooler climate?
I’ve worn this dress several times, and each time, people stop and ask me where I got it! It’s such a unique, lovely design. Sarai’s designs seem to be a continual hit! I’m already scheming to make another dress from this pattern…
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I can imagine you receive a lot of compliments. The dress looks lovely on you and that colour is great for you!
Gorgeous! I think this is an inspired design. And though you may not have liked the fabric choice initially, I think its perfectly complimentary to the structure & style of the pattern. Lovely.
Oh, I LOVE it! This is so beautiful! The color is perfect! I was waiting for you to reveal the Colette pattern you made and I was hoping it was this one, because I’ve had an eye on that pattern too. Now I’m defintely making it!
The dress is lovely! The color and style are wonderful on you.
This dress is just beautiful! Casey, you look stunning
I particularly like the berries in your hair, what a wonderful seasonal touch. Oh if only I could sew…
Oh I love your new dress. You look very classy and elegant!! Would be perfect for Christmas too
. I mean under the green tree!
Yours, Theresa
Super beautiful. I love your hair too.
Oh my gosh, that has to be one of the nicest dresses ive seen, no kidding! And I think that the colour is perfect, it helps the detailing to stand out and suits you well.I wonder if i would have any luck sewing it up for myself…
Rose
That dress is so dreamy! I love the neckline and the puff sleeves, well everything about it. I’m going to check out the other patterns right now.
Wow, you’ve done such a great job with that dress – the style is perfect for you and the colour is beautiful! I can’t wear styles like that so well but it’s so nice to see them on someone they suit.
Oooh, I love it! Now I’m definitely going to have to buy this pattern!
I love the color and the neckline is too die for! I’ll have to pick up some collette patterns in the new year!
Wow that dress is stunning. The shape and colour are perfect for you! You’re so clever being able to make things like this.
You look wonderful!! Great job- this dress is fabulous!! I think I will def. need to try this pattern.
FABULOUS !
So beautiful!!!!! And the belt is the perfect touch. I wish I was talented enough to sew something like like this. Amazing!
Casey, it’s utterly AMAZING! The neckline, the shoulders, every detail is fun, flattering, and 100% fantastic.
It looks marvelous! I love the movement to it – with the sweetheart neckline and the gathers?
That is a BEAUTIFUL dress! Everything about it is just perfect!
Holy Moses!!! Stunning, is all I can say. Wonderful sewing you’ve done here!
You are such an excellent seamstress. This dress is so pretty. All the details are just beautiful. It’s perfect for you. Love the berries in your hair… You always impress.
So stunning! You look fabulous in green! And of course your hair looks fabulous! Over the weekend I looked into your tutorials on vintage hairstyles. So great. Thank you! You are a doll!
Wow that dress is so gorgeous. The style is so wonderfully 40s and so pretty and elegant. The neckline is so great and the belt you added is just the perfect touch. I can see why you got many compliments on it!
Wish I could instantly have the skills to sew that well. hehe
It looks great! The red berries in your hair add nice contrast and make it perfect for Christmas in a warm climate. I agree about polyester, but sometimes it just works out.
I’ve ordered the Rooibos and Sencha patterns and can’t wait until they’re delivered.
So,so,so adorable! I love it!
XO,
Syd
I absolutely love that dress. I would really love to use that pattern and make a creation of my own. That colour really suits you and the great thing is you can make that dress in any colour or material you like and be unique
It looks perfect on you! Definitely Christmas dress potential.
I’m not surprised you got so many compliments. I wasn’t too impressed with the dress pattern the first time I saw it, but now I have to say you sell it well. A self-fabric belt is a fabulous addition!
Gorgeous dress! How many buttonholes are there??? How did you get them just right?
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love this dress! The color, the covered buttons, the neckline, the lovely details. Absolutely fabulous! I would have sworn it was an original vintage pattern from 1939 or 1940. Beautiful!
That dress is gorgeous!
it’s gorgeous and looks wonderful on you! and wow, all in one weekend? i’m super impressed!
I am so impressed! I’m just about to begin my very first skirt pattern, and this is so inspiring :]
The dress is just lovely on you!
Just wonderful! I’ve had my eye on this one. How was the fit? I’ve read that they’re sized for C cups, so I imagine I’ll have to grade down.
Wow I love your dress! It’s so lovely! I wish I could try making a dress like that from one of those patterns…but I think it’d take me ages to finish
Oh and that green color is fabulous on you!
Inspiring! I love her patterns, and made up the way you did it, this dress is sensational!
love your hairstyle
Saludos,
Clau!
Hi Casey,
I recently found your blog and I’m so enchanted with it. I’ve gone back and read your entries for the last few years. It’s inspired me so much to start sewing and to pick up crafting again.
This dress is dreamy
I also favor a retro aesthetic, and it can be hard to find appropriate things sometimes.
May I ask, did you make a muslin first, or just run with it? Because if it’s the latter it might be the pattern for me (I hate making muslins).
I Love this dress, and guess what… my husband found his mom’s sewing machine! I might just start sewing myself, start small making things for my daughter but I’m getting excited!
wow i’ve never seen anyone wear that color so well!
the dress is adorable! can’t wait to get my sewing machine for christmas, then when i get the hang of it i might brave one of those patterns!
Oh my goodness! I’m (practically) speechless! You’ve done a lovely job, you look so fabulous in this. I’m so glad I just ordered this pattern!
Goodness you are masterful at sewing! The dress looks so perfect and it’s everything that is marvelous about 40′s fashion. You look wonderful in the dress & your hair is so perfectly styled.
You look adorable!!! And the dress is just WOW!!! It looks like a well kept vintage one (But of course that´s the meaning *wink*)
I beleve I need to get that pattern my self! (And I agree about havin matchin belts, when you allready sit by the sewingmachine its so easy to make one!)
oh this is fabulous!! I just bought 2 of her patterns and now I just bought this one! Just the style I was looking for!
That dress is so dreamy! It fits you perfectly, and it looks more like expensive linen than polyester!
Of course, you know I love that dress, having seen it up close and personal. You look very festive with it and those little berries in your hair!
Catching a glimpse of those silver wreaths in the background, and thinking how very clever and resourceful you are!
XOXO
Mom
PS: I’m heading over to look at the patterns, and may be spending some of my Christmas presents before I even get them! Isn’t there some saying about not counting chickens…..
oh my goodness Casey, it’s so perfect! the color, the texture, the cut, everything! i’m in love, hehe. you’re so talented. i need some sewing lessons from you
Very pretty dress!
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