As promised, I have some things to share that aren’t website related!
My new orange blossom linen Colette Laurel!
I have actually had this pattern sitting unused in my sewing room since it came out. I had plans to join the Laurel sewalong, but was busy at the time and didn’t make it happen. Since then, it’s been simmering in my mind as I thought of what fabric I would use to make it and I never came up with a plan, so there it sat. And then I was at Britex’s remnant sale in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago and happened upon this gorgeous cotton linen for 50% off (ended up being about $15!) and I decided that they were a match made in heaven!
Colette Laurel
To be honest, the shape of this shift dress is not my favorite silhouette. I prefer a fitted bodice and fuller skirt. But sometimes its good to step out of the box and add some other shapes to your wardrobe.
I opted to make a sleeveless unlined version of the Laurel as my fabric is heavy enough that it doesn’t need to be lined. I finished it off with bias tape and serged the seams. This dress went together SO QUICKLY. With only two pattern pieces to cut out and some simple darts, you’ll have a dress in a flash.
I honestly was afraid that this was going to turn out looking like a mumu and was unsure if it would be anything but a housedress. Thankfully, the pattern pieces have some curves and the front and back darts add definition. Plus, it’s looser around the belly area and doesn’t accentuate what I don’t want to be accentuated.
This dress definitely has a 60’s flair and is quite similar to the Jiffy shift dresses.
No, I didn’t care to match the print on the back zip (nor the sides). I was working with a limited amount of fabric as it was a remnant and didn’t have any to spare (nor did I care about matching prints….)!
To me, this is more of a spring dress that would be nice to wear with a cute cardi. As I write this, it is 94 degrees (Fahrenheit), and the lightweight airy cotton sundress I have on right now is much more comfortable in this heat than the Laurel. When I revisit this pattern, I think I will make some 3/4 sleeve Laurels in wintery fabrics for the chance that it might actually get cold here….. I think it would be the perfect dress to wear with leggings, boots and a coat.
The only alteration I did to this pattern was to grade it up to about a 20/22. I think I’d like to widen the armscyes next time and perhaps lengthen the skirt. It’s a pattern that’s a great canvas to do whatever you want to it and has so many possibilities.
I hope you’re keeping cool wherever you are. I could use some winter weather right now!
Happy Sewing!
- Dress: Colette Laurel in orange blossom cotton linen made by me
- Shoes: Sam Edelman
- Sunglasses: Burberry
- Jewelry: Bauble Bar
