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Curvy Colette: A Tale of Two Monetas

curvycoletteheader

Well hello there folks!  As the next stop on the Colette plus size blog tour, I have not one, but TWO Monetas to share with you!

My first Moneta is version 1 with the collar and sleeveless bodice.  I made this dress out of an aubergine viscose/lycra ponte knit that I picked up at Britex Fabrics in San Francisco.  It is a luscious medium weight knit with a slight sheen and so worth it’s $24.99/yd pricetag.

aubergine moneta 2

To tell you the truth, this is only the second knit dress that I have made.  Although I am not new to sewing garments, I am new to the world of knits.  I certainly am glad that this pattern is for beginners!  So trust me, even if you haven’t sewn with knits before, you can sew this!

aubergine moneta 6

My aubergine Moneta is a size 2x and is lined in the bodice with a black rayon jersey knit.   The technique used for sewing the lining is brilliant!  I am not that comfortable yet with sewing knits on my serger, so I sewed this up with my sewing machine and finished the seams with my serger.  The pattern calls for clear elastic on the waistband. My local Joann’s did not have the clear elastic in the right width, so I used a knit elastic to shirr the waist.  It worked fine, but the clear elastic may be better looking on the inside and perhaps sit on the waist better.

I just love the retro feel of this dress and how easy it is to wear.  No wonder why y’all love knits so much!

aubergine moneta 7

aubergine moneta side

moneta mock orange

You may ask why there are two Monetas.  It’s not simply because I am an overachiever, it’s due to the fact that I wasn’t sure how the first Moneta would turn out.

As I was sewing with my ponte knit and trying on the bodice of my first dress, I wondered how it was all going to fit.  The ponte seemed a bit stiff and I wasn’t certain that I had chosen the right fabric for this pattern (and yes, I should have made a muslin first!!!).  Along with being a beginning sewer of knits, I am also new to the world of buying knits.  Thankfully, I had help whilst at Britex choosing my first fabric from a delightful sales associate and my MIL (who was shopping with me) who knew what they were doing as I did not….. I also had to keep this pattern on the DL as it wasn’t released yet, so I couldn’t exactly tell anyone what I was making.  Anyway, I had a minor freak-out and ordered more knit fabric thinking that I had just ruined an expensive ponte and made a plan to sew another dress.  Fortunately, I was happily surprised when I tried on the aubergine Moneta and found that it fit just fine.  What a relief!!!!

pink moneta 2

My second Moneta is a pink and white polka dot bamboo/spandex jersey knit from Harts Fabrics in Santa Cruz.  As an aside, why have I not been to Harts Fabrics before??!!  I have family in SC and go there often, so why haven’t I, a hoarder of fabrics, been in one of the best fabric stores this side of Bakersfield? I will be remedying that egregious error soon….. 

pink moneta 3

pink moneta 4

 

pink moneta 6

 

This dress is version 2, the short sleeved Moneta without the collar.  It’s sewn in much the same way as version 1, although the bodice is not lined.  This dress was actually quicker to sew than the first without the lining or the collar to construct.

I love both versions and will definitely be sewing with more knits in the future.  And although I had some misgivings and perceived problems, it all worked out in the end and I got TWO lovely dresses out of my panic attack.  These are perfect dresses for spring, but the knit fabrics are a bit too hot for these parts when summer arrives as it hits the 100 mark here in CA quite often post June.  I’m looking forward to making more Moneta’s, especially some cool weather versions when fall comes around.

pink moneta 7

pink moneta wall

 

The next stop of the Curvy Colette blog tour is at T’s.  I’ve been enjoying seeing all of the lovely makes from our group. I’m so thankful to Sarai and Alyson and the team at Colette Patterns for giving us this opportunity and to Jenny and Mary for dreaming up such a wonderful project. 🙂

The Curvy Sewing Collective presents…. Curvy Colette: A Plus Size Blog Tour!

Wednesday 16 April:  Jenny at Cashmerette

Thursday 17 April:      Mary at Idle Fancy

Saturday 19 April:       Laurence at QuirkyPrettyCute

Monday 21 April:       Tanya at Mrs Hughes

Tuesday 22 April:       T at UandMii

Saturday 26 April:      Sophie-Lee at Two Random Words

Wednesday 30 April:  Mary at Young, Broke & Fabulous 

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Oh…. it surely wouldn’t be a blog post from me if there weren’t some photobombing animals in a photo, would it? 🙂

pink moneta 8

Lucy (ranch cat) and Doc (Border Collie)

Happy Sewing!

 

 

 

 

Aubergine Moneta

  • Dress:  Colette Moneta in viscose/lycra ponte knit made by me
  • Belt:  Macy’s
  • Shoes:  Stuart Weitzman
  • Jewelry:  Bauble Bar
  • Sunglasses:  Kate Spade

Pink Polka Dot Moneta

  • Dress:  Colette Moneta in bamboo/spandex jersey knit made by me
  • Belt:  Macy’s
  • Shoes:  Swedish Hasbeens
  • Jewelry:  Bauble Bar

 

Comments

  2. These are both adorable! I bought the Moneta pattern right when it came out last month and I still haven’t found time to make it- too many other sewing obligations coming first, grrr! Anyway, I love your versions- both are cute and super flattering. Looks like something I you could wear almost every day!

    • The Moneta certainly is a dress you could wear everyday!!! I know what you mean by other sewing obligations getting in the way… I have fabric to make another Moneta and have not been able to get to it yet!!! I can’t wait to see yours when you have a chance to sew it up. 🙂

  4. those dresses are absolutely wonderful. i really like how your styled them and the colors are amazing on you. I was skeptical about the pattern…but now that I’ve seen it on you…i think I’m a convert and will have to get my own copy!! I love your beautiful and genuine smiles in all of your pictures. The shoes are fantastic and so is your eye make up!! thanks for sharing, ma’am!!

    -d

    • Definitely pick the Moneta up, Dani! Thanks for noticing my styling. 🙂 I’ve been addicted to shoes and makeup lately! Especially after getting my eyes “fixed”.

  7. Oh, I love them both! I swear ALL colors seem to be your color. 🙂 I am getting this pattern when my local shop gets it in stock and am looking forward to trying it… I really like those collar options. And I’m glad you’ve caught the knit love. 😀

    • Thank you, Susan! And no, not every color is “my” color. I just tend to stay away from those less flattering shades! I really can’t wait to see your versions!

  8. You did such a wonderful job for being new to knits! I especially like the pink one, but both versions are lovely!

  9. Love them! I’ve been waiting for this post most of the day. Love the collar on the purple. but O.M.G! Polka dots! I die.

    g

  12. These are so so pretty! My favorite Monetas so far. I’m a knit novice but after the gorgeous versions I’ve seen I might have to give it a go. 🙂

  14. These both look fabulous on you! Aren’t knits great to work with? The end product is so comfortable and worth any little hassles. I really love the pink one on you. The color looks lovely!

  15. I can’t decide which fabric is my favourite – the purple is gorgeous but I’m a sucker for polka dots and they brighten up your face (or maybe those photos were taken when it was sunnier?). Regardless, these are both smokin’ dresses, you look great! Can’t wait to make one up

  17. Both dresses are lovely! I’ve sewn a lot of knits and would have guessed (from the pattern line drawing) that a ponte would be too heavy (and possibly) lack the necessary drape for the skirt of this pattern, but your purple version proves me wrong.

  18. Wow Tanya, they rock! You did a truly awesome job and those jewel like colours look amazing on you. I am totally smitten with your pink one especially (the lure of the polka dots even works over the ocean!) … it’s wonderful. Great sewing and post. Looking forward to seeing your Mabel skirt coming up soon.

  19. Tanya, this are both BEAUTIFUL. Wow. You look amazing in these colors and the silhouette is gorgeous on you. I may be copy-catting your polka-dots, as well. They’re just too, too cute!

  20. I just checked over at Collette’s site and they have already SOLD OUT of the printed copies of Moneta! I think the Curvy Sewing Collective may have just created a firestorm! Congrats

  21. Both of your dresses are fantastic! Of all of the Curvy Sewing Collective gals, my size and shape most closely matches yours and it excites me that this dress pattern could actually work for a beginner like me and look good, too! Thanks for sharing your dresses and I can’t wait to see what you make next!

  22. Thank you for sharing two of the best fitting dresses ever! The colors are superb on you and they look so comfortable too. The lining makes a difference but once summer arrives it may be too much in layering. Now I’m looking forward to seeing future patterns made up by you to enhance your colorful wardrobe. Good job!

  24. These are both gorgeous! I especially love that purple color on you.

    I am obsessed with Hart’s Fabric! I went last February after a sewing retreat in Pacific Grove, and I buy from them all the time. They have such a great selection of print and color!

  25. I am so in love with your versions! They look so pretty on you! I am very jealous of your Pink Polka Dots fabric. It is very cool!
    You should try the pattern with a lighter knit for the summer, it would be very comfy for the warm days. These Colette projects have been great to make us use knits and learn to like them too!

  26. They’re beautiful!! The purple one especially, but you know I have a weakness for that color. I’ve only recently gained a ton of confidence sewing knits, and all these monetas are pushing the idea of a dress ever higher!

  27. They both look amazing on you Tanya! I was really looking forward to seeing your Moneta and am so glad it looks so good on you!
    I haven’t cut mine out yet, but hope to get started on it next weekend!
    Did you alter the neckline or is that the original line? It looks lovely, and more dipped than I expected.
    FANTASTIC

    • Thanks, Nessa! I didn’t do any alterations on either dress. Just followed the instructions. I am surprised how much I like this pattern. I actually prefer the simple short sleeved version. It may dip more due to the fabric I chose.

  28. I’ve been waiting with bated breath for your Moneta! And you give me TWO! So excited! These are beautiful on you. I’ve been waiting to see how they suited you before boring the pattern because I think I have a similar shape and size to you. I’m definitely buying a Moneta pattern now!

    Can you tell me a bit more about the fabric for the pink one? I can only buy knit fabrics online and a lot of what I’m seeing ( in the places tht will deliver for a reasonable shipping fee) seem to be describing a lot of their knits as suitable for t shirts. I just don’t know if this will be suitable for the Moneta pattern.

    I can’t wait to see what you sew next! Enjoy your dresses. I love wearing and sewing knits, and I’m sure you will too.

    • Thank you!!! 🙂 The pink one is a jersey, but not tissue weight. I wore this dress the other day and it does like to cling a little bit. Not sure I would make another in jersey unless I lined it. I am okay with wearing it, just gotta make sure I have some well-fitting undergarments on! lol 🙂 The ponte I wore yesterday and it can be a bit hot, but doesn’t cling. I think I’d like a fabric that is midway the best. I’m not keen on the knit fabric types, but I imagine a double knit that is thicker than jersey and thinner than ponte. Not to say that I don’t like both fabrics, but that is my guess.

  29. Tanya, those look SO GOOD on you! I think yours might even be my favourites so far! The colours and type of fabric are just beautiful and you’ve made them so well. HURRAY!

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Mrs. Hughes: A retro inspired, vintage garment sewing and plus-size dressmaking blog by Tanya Maile Hughes.