Ceylon dress
I recently finished my Ceylon dress from Colette Patterns and I LOVE how it turned out. This was my first time working with a Colette pattern but it was a super experience. It's well-designed and the instructions are great. Definitely worth the price!
I went fabric shopping at Jo-Ann Fabrics to try to find something suitable for this project, but everything I saw was rather "blah." I remembered this lightweight gray wool I had in my stash, but I thought I'd only bought two and a half yards of it. I was about to order some fabric online when I decided to double-check. Lo and behold, I had four yards! Yippee! This wool turned out to be the perfect color and weight for this dress.
The pattern is described as 'intermediate' and I would say that sums things up pretty accurately. The hardest part (for me) was getting the front yoke pieces to curve evenly during pressing. I love all the extra details of topstitching and gathering. I also like the buttons down the front, but making 16 covered buttons and buttonholes was a bit of a drag. I did make a fabric belt (as suggested in the instructions, but not included in the pattern), thinking I've got to make the most of what little waist I currently have. ;-) However, once I tried it on I wasn't sure I liked it that well -- it seemed to break up the line of the buttons too much. I think I will wear it without.
I am so happy to have a cute, vintage-y dress that is nursing friendly and that flatters my postpartum figure! I think I'll be wearing this nonstop for the foreseeable future!
Labels: motherhood, sewing
posted by Laura at
2:19 PM
21 Comments:
It looks beautiful! I love the neckline and the buttons which add a lot to the dress. Way to persevere! At least there weren't as many buttons on this dress as there were on your wedding dress. :-)
Very pretty!
~Simplyvintage from S&S board
Absolutely lovely! The grey wool is gorgeous (so much better than the orange on the website -- ouch!), and those covered buttons are the perfect touch! You look ridiculously good for having just had a baby, too! :-)
Blessings,
Shannon
Yes I agree its stunning and so chic and elegant!!! I want this pattern after seeing you make it up! :)
The picture on the pattern does not make me really really want to buy it, but I want to buy it after seeing you make it! a great job and you look beautiful!!
Oh, I definitely like your interpretation much better than the one on the pattern package!
That is a lovely dress! You did an awesome job... perfect pattern and fabric.
I'll have to look into getting that pattern now! :-)
Very beautiful and classy, Laura!
Your projects are so inspiring.
It's great, Laura! I'm not normally a fan of dresses with buttons, but this pattern with the material you chose has convinced me otherwise!
As for your figure, you look lovely - I would never me able to guess that you only recently had a baby!
So, so lovely on you, Laura! And I agree with everyone else, you look fabulous!
Hi Laura,
Abbie and I love your dress. It is so pretty and like the others, I like your interpretation of the pattern. I also can't believe you have just had a baby! Maybe there is hope for me. I found it hard to get myself back into shape after the last one. Now I am just excited to be able to see my feet while standing up.:-) Nebraska PAM
Super cute! I didn't like the pattern cover very well, but your dress is delightful!
This turned out beautifully! I'm inspired to make one as a nursing dress after our baby is born. :)
Hi Laura, my name is Alyssa and I really enjoy your blog. What a beautiful dress! I have been admiring that pattern for quite a while. I have a question, though: Do you think this pattern would work (i.e. fit) on someone such as myself who is very flat chested? I'm not sure because of the gathers near the bustline. Would love to know since I don't know of anyone else who has made this dress. Thank you :)
You all are too kind! Thank you! I hope some of you do make it; I want Colette Patterns to do well so we can see more patterns from this talented designer. :-)
Alyssa, actually I think the dress would be *more* suitable for someone with a smaller cup size. If you are very flat-chested, it will probably flatter you to have the soft gathers to create the illusion of more curves in that area.
If I had known how to do this, my version would have benefited from an alteration to accommodate a larger bust. (I think part of the reason some may find the "official" pattern photo unappealing is that it looks to be too small in her bust area.) On the Colette Patterns website, if you click on "Gallery" and scroll down to the Ceylon category, you will see a version made by someone with a smaller bust than me -- and as you can see, it looks lovely on her!
Laura, thank you for answering my question. You are so helpful! I am off to order this pattern now... :)
--Alyssa
Oh, your dress turned out SO nice!! You look like you should be in a movie. :)
~Alyssa W.
I will add my voice here to everyone else who has said how beautiful that is. It IS beautiful! You've done it again Laura! Once again you have created such a pretty, elegant and classy outfit! Lovely! And that fabric is gorgeous!
This is so beautiful! I would love to buy and wear this dress! Great seamstress!
I love it! You have created a stunning dress and it is such a flattering style. And you look awesome - I'm not going to say "for just having a baby" though since I never would be able to tell you delivered just a few months ago. :)
This dress is so pretty! I just found your link through PleasantViewSchoolhouse. I am enjoying looking at your sewing articles. I do have a question regarding sewing...do you use a dressform and if so, which one? I am thinking of purchasing one and have been doing some research but haven't made a decision yet. Any thoughts?
Lyn
Hi Lyn,
Thanks for your comment. I actually don't use a dress form on a regular basis. I do have a "Uniquely You" form but I never did get the shape right, so I have not used it much. I'm sorry I can't help!
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