the pistachio green dress
[ 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…
Posted on December 21st, 2009 to sewing.
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our own little snowstorm »63 lovely thoughts to “the pistachio green dress”
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Karin says:
December 21st, 2009 at 7:24 am
I can imagine you receive a lot of compliments. The dress looks lovely on you and that colour is great for you!
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_marguerite_ says:
December 21st, 2009 at 7:53 am
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.
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Stephanie says:
December 21st, 2009 at 7:54 am
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!
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Kasmira says:
December 21st, 2009 at 8:13 am
The dress is lovely! The color and style are wonderful on you.
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Lel says:
December 21st, 2009 at 8:56 am
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… -
Theresa says:
December 21st, 2009 at 9:01 am
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 -
Victoria says:
December 21st, 2009 at 9:02 am
Super beautiful. I love your hair too.
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Roses R Red says:
December 21st, 2009 at 9:03 am
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
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kelley anne says:
December 21st, 2009 at 9:07 am
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.
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clare says:
December 21st, 2009 at 9:43 am
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.
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Nancy says:
December 21st, 2009 at 9:50 am
Oooh, I love it! Now I’m definitely going to have to buy this pattern!
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MsCleaver says:
December 21st, 2009 at 9:52 am
I love the color and the neckline is too die for! I’ll have to pick up some collette patterns in the new year!
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Rebecca says:
December 21st, 2009 at 10:04 am
Wow that dress is stunning. The shape and colour are perfect for you! You’re so clever being able to make things like this.
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jenloveskev says:
December 21st, 2009 at 10:06 am
You look wonderful!! Great job- this dress is fabulous!! I think I will def. need to try this pattern.
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Stéphanie says:
December 21st, 2009 at 10:16 am
FABULOUS !
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Heather says:
December 21st, 2009 at 10:37 am
So beautiful!!!!! And the belt is the perfect touch. I wish I was talented enough to sew something like like this. Amazing!
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Sally says:
December 21st, 2009 at 10:39 am
Casey, it’s utterly AMAZING! The neckline, the shoulders, every detail is fun, flattering, and 100% fantastic.
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Sara says:
December 21st, 2009 at 10:45 am
It looks marvelous! I love the movement to it – with the sweetheart neckline and the gathers?
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Francy says:
December 21st, 2009 at 10:50 am
That is a BEAUTIFUL dress! Everything about it is just perfect!
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Elissa says:
December 21st, 2009 at 10:58 am
Holy Moses!!! Stunning, is all I can say. Wonderful sewing you’ve done here!
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Amy says:
December 21st, 2009 at 11:09 am
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.
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Sunni Standing says:
December 21st, 2009 at 11:19 am
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!
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Lizzy says:
December 21st, 2009 at 11:26 am
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 -
Emily says:
December 21st, 2009 at 12:05 pm
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.
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Sydney says:
December 21st, 2009 at 12:09 pm
So,so,so adorable! I love it!
XO,
Syd -
Caroline says:
December 21st, 2009 at 12:12 pm
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
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Amanda Nicole says:
December 21st, 2009 at 12:21 pm
It looks perfect on you! Definitely Christmas dress potential.
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Sarah says:
December 21st, 2009 at 12:35 pm
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!
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m says:
December 21st, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Gorgeous dress! How many buttonholes are there??? How did you get them just right?
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Lauren says:
December 21st, 2009 at 1:25 pm
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!
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kas says:
December 21st, 2009 at 2:08 pm
That dress is gorgeous!
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jen says:
December 21st, 2009 at 2:59 pm
it’s gorgeous and looks wonderful on you! and wow, all in one weekend? i’m super impressed!
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Ernie says:
December 21st, 2009 at 3:14 pm
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!
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PatternJunkie says:
December 21st, 2009 at 3:20 pm
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.
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Mel says:
December 21st, 2009 at 4:02 pm
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! -
Catherine says:
December 21st, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Inspiring! I love her patterns, and made up the way you did it, this dress is sensational!
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Clau! says:
December 21st, 2009 at 5:39 pm
love your hairstyle
Saludos,
Clau! -
Erin says:
December 21st, 2009 at 7:04 pm
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. -
Clare says:
December 21st, 2009 at 7:39 pm
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).
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jolene says:
December 21st, 2009 at 7:44 pm
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!
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jennine says:
December 21st, 2009 at 8:05 pm
wow i’ve never seen anyone wear that color so well!
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chantele says:
December 21st, 2009 at 8:07 pm
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!
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Gertie says:
December 21st, 2009 at 9:29 pm
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!
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Jenny says:
December 22nd, 2009 at 1:24 am
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.
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Nadja says:
December 22nd, 2009 at 5:33 am
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!) -
Brook Owens says:
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:10 am
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!
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thevintageyear says:
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:51 am
That dress is so dreamy! It fits you perfectly, and it looks more like expensive linen than polyester!
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Marmielu says:
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:51 am
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….. -
Quincy says:
December 22nd, 2009 at 9:35 am
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
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Danielle says:
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:02 am
Very pretty dress!
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Sarz says:
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Oh my gosh, that has to be one of the most gorgeous dresses I’ve ever seen! And the color is so lovely with your skin tone and hair. At the moment I can barely do a simple hem, but you make me wish to continue practicing my sewing!
Cheers from Ottawa, Ontario
;D -
lilah says:
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:35 pm
sweet dress.
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Marie says:
December 23rd, 2009 at 2:18 am
Oh my goodness! That dress is so perfect for you! It fits like a dream and the colour and fabric is actually perfect together.
Beooooootiful!
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Erika says:
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:08 am
Absoloutley lovely! You are such a talented seamstress! Maybe when I’ve finished my present project I can treat myself to a Colette pattern, they are truly beautiful.
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rachel says:
December 27th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
such an amazing dress! well done casey, as always.
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Caf says:
December 27th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
absolutely stunning! I love this design
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huzzahvintage says:
December 29th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
OH, How I WISH I could sew. I would make one in every color for myself.
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jm says:
December 30th, 2009 at 9:06 am
Just beautiful!
The belt was a wonderful touch. Now I want to make this, too.
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Little Lovables says:
wow, I love the cut and the color! I so want one!!
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Dusky Ledoux says:
I am totally in love with her new line! Once i have completed my pile of sewing projects, i am rewarding myself with some of the new patterns. I just dont know which one to choose! x
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Amanda Lee says:
January 13th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
My goodness—that is one exquisite creation! The color and style look divine on you
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Bettys Closet says:
January 14th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Oh you inspired me to buy this pattern….. now i just have to wait for it to come all the way to australia….
you look absolutely lovely! and the belt is great! i also brought the blouse pattern. looks so pretty -
Gracie says:
Fabulous! I’m making the Beignet and you’ve inspired me to make this next!
Thank you ever so much for taking time to share your comment! Although I try to answer questions, I am not always able to respond to each comment individually. But please know that I appreciate from the bottom of my heart every comment I receive!