Can you believe it?  I’ve actually muslined/toiled the bodice of a Parfait. Now that you’ve picked yourself up from the floor, you can take a look at it!

Hmmm, that photo shows my very white and doughlike middle. Luckily the dress will have a skirt attached. Anyway, based on my measurements I cut a size 8 for most of the top pieces but a size 12 width for the raised waist/midriff panel and the edge of the bust pieces.

Once I tried it on I discovered that I needed to pin out most of the extra I’d added, just gradually grading out to a 12 in the midriff panel but keeping the bust pieces as an 8. And the straps needed to be shortened. My 8 year old assistant helped me with that part.

I reckon that this will now be fine! Especially once it is made properly and lined. I’d love your feedback too though – especially if you’ve made this dress.  Apparently Colette patterns are drafted for a C bust, so that was a bonus. Her sizing is very different to the standard Vogue/Simplicity/McCalls/New Look/Butterick pattern sizing, so you really do need to measure yourself and check the finished measurements before deciding what size to make. This dress is designed to be very fitted around the waist. It’s different to my usual style, but I’m trying to break out of the mould a little more and not stagnate.  I really hope that this is a success – it could be a great Christmas Day dress (and yes, Christmas is less than five weeks away). That reminds me, I must make a start on the girls’ Christmas dresses too.