Stripy Colette Parfait

A few of you might have seen this dress already, because I wore it at the NYLon2014 meet-up organised by Rachel. The weather was beautiful, sunny and warm. So a perfect dress to wear!

Fabric: Blue and white striped linen from my stash. I bought the fabric already one year ago in Goldhawk Road with a different dress in mind. But when looking through my stash for a fabric to use for the Parfait, I just knew it would be perfect. Also, have you seen these lovely stripy versions from Anna and Julia?

Embellishments: I had started sewing the dress before my holidays in Kiev, but didn't had the right buttons at home. So I got these lovely red flower buttons.

Alterations: As always with Colette patterns, I had to make a small bust adjustment to get the fit right. There are two tutorials out there: the on the body adjustment from Gertie and the flat pattern adjustment from Shaerie. I used Gerties tutorial, which was very clear and easy to follow (I am currently trying Shaeries adjustment as well). Because of the SBA, I had to take out 1" at the side seam of the top bodice (the bra portion), which meant I also had to take out 1" from the back bodice side seam to match both seams.

Having done this, I made a muslin of the bodice and checked the fit - which was great. What I did not anticipate, however, was that because of the 1" shorter bodice, the skirt would be pulled up by 1" in the back as well. Because of the higher back, the skirt flared out towards the hem and I looked like having a little propeller! I only realised this, when trying on the almost finished dress.

There was no way, I would leave the house with a propeller! Luckily, the skirt has 3 back panels and with Leschas help, I was able to pin the additional fabric out and sew new back seams. You can see how I pinned the fabric out in the photo below. It was a lot of fabric, but at least made the dress wearable. The only problem is that I can't sit down, because the fabric bunches around my belly even when I try smoothing it down.

Constructions: As always for Colette patterns, the descriptions were detailed and sewing was a breeze. I only struggled with setting in the invisible zipper. The problem was that the top of the bodice is closed by a 5 cm seam and you have to insert the zipper just below. It was a bit fiddly, to get the zipper in because of this seam, but in the end I managed (somehow).

Because you can't zip up until the top seam of the bodice, you can't fit the bodice too tight. I first did, but couldn't get my shoulders through the opening anymore. So beware!

Do I like it? Despite it little faults, I really love the dress. It looks so summery and feels so light. And my bust does not look small in it ;) I might have to make a slip for it, because Lescha told me you can actually see my bum through it depending on the sunlight! Who would have thought that. He actually told me just before leaving the house to go to the NYLon2014 meet-up. Which resulted in me frantically browsing my wardrobe to find something to wear below. I wore an old skirt under it. It is made from polyester, so not something you want to wear under a sumer dress.

Worn with my Miette Cardigan.

Will I make it again? I will and have started already. I am trying to solve the above mentioned propeller problem without changing the design features of the dress. I have been working on it for the last 3 weeks and encountered several problems (and I am only half way there). But I will tell you about it next time.

At the NYLon2014 meet-up. Source: Kitty Wong.