Colette Macaron for Valentine’s Day
A while back I unexpectedly sold one of my handmade dresses to a friend, and so I decided to treat myself with the proceeds and get some sewing supplies from Fancy Moon…
Money made from sewing equals more money to spend on sewing!
I tweeted the above picture and the lovely Vicki Kate suggested I make a Valentine’s dress with the Alexander Sweethearts fabric. And that’s exactly what I did, so thank you Vicki Kate for the suggestion! 🙂
Colette Macaron
I decided I needed a curvy dress for Valentine’s Day, and had been meaning to make the Colette Macaron for quite some time. The Macaron dress is described as ‘a flattering and curvy dress’ so I figured it would be a good choice for Valentine’s. Also, because of the side zip fastening, it meant that the front and back would be cut on the fold, so I wouldn’t have to worry about pattern matching too much. With a large scale print such as this, any pattern that minimises pattern matching is a bonus!
I have been trying to be a better seamstress this year, and for a while I agonised over whether or not to make a toile of this dress. In the end, I didn’t. I justified it by acknowledging the fact that a) I was about to make a novelty dress which wouldn’t exactly make it into my regular wardrobe rotation and b) I’d probably only be wearing it for a few hours before taking it off (ahem!). So yeah. 😉 As long as I could wear it, minor fitting issues weren’t going to bother me. Onwards!
I used the leftover silk charmeuse from my self-drafted slip for the contrast yoke and sleeves. It feels dreamy and deliciously smooth on my skin!
Using up the last of the silk charmeuse!
I went with plain black cotton for the midriff band, and actually for the back bodice as well as I only had 1.5m of the Alexander Henry fabric – just enough for the skirt front, back, and front bodice.
Colette Macaron – back view
I really enjoyed making this dress. Colette as usual have come up trumps and, having made the Victory Patterns Ava dress late last year, I can definitely say Colette wins. The way that Colette has you join the yoke to the bodice is so much easier than the Victory way and makes for much better results.
Front bodice and yoke (inside)
I also love the skirt! It’s almost tulip style and I wasn’t sure I’d like it, but I’m really glad I gave it a try. I love the fact that it even has pockets! I’d like to make another Macaron in a more wintery fabric, like for some reason I’m dreaming of a kind of brown tweed version?! I don’t know what contrast though. Maybe something in a dusky pink? That’s the thing with this dress, you have to get the combination of fabrics just right, otherwise it can just look a bit… well, odd.
I hardly wasted a scrap of fabric with this make. I even made some Valentine’s bunting with the pin-up ladies for the bedroom!
Pin-up bunting!
So anyway, despite not making a toile, and not making a single adjustment at all to the pattern, I am pleased to report that the dress was not a bad fit at all! Now, these photos are not the best quality, but here’s what I actually looked like when I was wearing it…
POCKETS!
Check out my new shoes, too! These are my shexy shoes.
A photo of my bum. You’re welcome.
The Colette Macaron: make one! It’s an ace pattern!
The bunting in-situ!
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Woo hoo! What a terrific dress!
Thanks Sarah!
Fabulous dress! The Macaron is indeed a great pattern with good fit. I also like your bed sheets, they look cheerfull 🙂
Thanks Inge. The bedding is designed by Kelly Brook of all people!!!
That dress is super cute. I LOVE the way you used the fabric to create the bunting.
Thanks. I couldn’t bear to waste any of those beautiful ladies!
It’s a beautiful dress and you look gorgeous in it. I am going to try out this pattern – you have inspired me. I have just started a blog and will post it I think on there. http://Www.superstitchery.blogspot.co.uk
Jan
Oh good luck! Thanks for the link.
Wooo you look the bees knees. And you got a great fit without muslin hell. Now moving on… I LOVE that bunting. Genius idea.
Yes the fit is serviceable. I might tailor it a bit more if I did use the pattern again though. The bunting is now a permanent fixture! I didn’t want to take it down!
Awwww – that fabric! I love it! I really like the cut of the pattern. Your usage of the leftover fabric is priceless 😀 And I want your shoes. 😛
The fabric is great, I just couldn’t resist it! I love the shoes but absolutely cannot walk in them at all. They’re totally impractical! 😀
Perfect fabric and perfect dress for Valentine’s day!! Cheers!
Thanks! I think it’d be great to wear to a wedding too. Or for an anniversary. Basically any romantic occasion! 🙂
Fabulous! And oh my, your gorgeous shoes!
Thank you to you for the idea!
I love your dress and your house too, all those books and the lovely sewing room! 🙂
Thank you!
Absolutely stunning! Very impressive. Adore the bunting – I want some!
Thanks!