I sewed up a muslin
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.
That fit looks great. I need to go back to my muslin and have another go. Might do it when the twins come home and see if they can help!
That is coming along very nicely – can’t wait to see the finished product Lara. What are you going to make the ‘real thing’ in??
I like this pattern it looks great and what a nice summer dress for the hot weather. I’d like to see you stay away from jerseys and knits for this one and go for a nice crisp fabric maybe a cool cotton. Mind you I can see this dress made up for a fancy occassion as well.
I think the fit through the bust is fine but I think you should back off a bit through the back and stomach a little, not too much but I can see from the back (because the material is so tight) where your bra band is cutting into your back so it’s showing the little bulge there (we all have it). Also maybe an inch around the tummy as well. You’d hate for the material to shrink and be too tight. You can always adjust in later if it bothers you.
Mind you having said this I’m not there in person so the photo could be showing me shadows etc and I’m not a dress maker either so you know best how it’s fitting.
It is looking great Lara. I have made this pattern before and was extremely happy with the results. The only thing I would do differently if I made it again would be to make it a little longer – it is a little bit short on me.
The fit looks lovely!