Hey there, friends!
I’m back from my summer vacation and ready to show you my latest dress!
This is, of course, the versatile, quick, easy and comfy to wear Colette Moneta knit dress pattern.
[source: Colette Patterns]
The knit I used for this Moneta is a black/rose/mint peony floral cotton jersey from Girl Charlee. I don’t see this exact print on their site right now, but here is one similar. I posted a pic of myself in this dress on instagram and Gmarie recognized it right away. Apparently there was also similar ponte version which she was planning on getting and making into a Mabel. Of course when I went to see if I could buy that yesterday, it was gone!
This was the first time that I had purchased fabric from Girl Charlee. I ordered this jersey a couple of months ago along with a ponte and when it came, I have to tell you that I was extremely disappointed. My previous knit purchases were from Britex and Harts Fabrics, in which I paid 2-4x as much. So, I’ve basically learned that you get what you pay for with knits, unless of course it is a drastically discounted designer find from Fabric Mart. I’ve read some other blogs with sewers complaining about the inconsistent quality of Girl Charlee knits, so that’s something to be aware of in the future.
This particular knit sat in on my cutting table for a while as I pondered about it. It’s thinner than other jerseys that I have and I wasn’t sure about how clingy it was going to be on me. I took the plunge and crafted this into a Moneta a couple of days before I left on my trip as I thought it would be an easy dress to make and wear and it truly is. I’ve also noticed that the color and the print disguises any lumps and bumpys and wiggly bits and the fabric doesn’t cling. What I perceived to be a bad online fabric shopping experience actually turned out to be my most favorite Moneta!
I just love the 3/4 sleeve version BTW! I figured I could get away with it by making this and wearing it on vacation as I journeyed to a cooler climate. Unfortunately, it’s a bit too hot here in CA to wear this dress right now, but I can see this being a fall/winter/spring staple.
I feel so Mary-like in this dress! This is exactly the type of lady-like floral that she favors in her gorgeous dresses.
And you know what else? My husband took these photos without complaining!!!
If you wondered, these photos are taken in the Badlands of South Dakota. We went on a trip to Wyoming/South Dakota/Nebraska, venturing into my old stomping grounds (I did my undergrad in SD) and visiting my besties. We had a wonderful time, but as with every trip where you visit your dear friends — you never have enough time to spend with them!!
And yes, I do wear dresses most every day — even on vacation. I did take a pair of shorts (my K&L tap shorts), but didn’t wear them until our last day on the way back home. I was able to get by doing outdoorsy things whilst wearing comfy flip flops and my boots. 🙂
Happy Sewing!
- Dress: Colette Moneta in black peony print cotton jersey, made by me
- Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens cork wedges
- Jewelry: Bauble Bar
- Sunglasses: D&G
I love all the dresses I see, and I would love to wear them more, but I live in the south…very hot. I can’t think of a delicate way to ask this so Im just gonna put it out there…how do you keep your thighs from chafing???? I have a pr of running shorts with a 5″ inseam I wear under some dresses and that is great, but any other ideas? I would love to try sewing a cotton/silk pr of slipshorts, but am worried about them riding up….my running shorts don’t do that thankfully!
I’m surprised no one has asked this before! I actually just use powder. If it’s hot, I rub it in my leg before I leave and also have a small travel size one in my purse if I’m doing a lot of walking in the heat. I’ve also heard of people using deodorant and anti-chafing gel. I don’t wear shorts under my dresses, but I do have a couple of pairs of panties (Vogue 8888) that work well under dresses. I wish I would have known this a long time ago as I would have worn dresses more often!
Dresses all the way I say! Your floral Moneta looks fabulous and by looking at these photos the fabric looks substantial and it holds the pattern beautifully. Online purchases though, can seriously be a hit and miss kinda thing.
Gorgeous dress! Thanks for the link back!
http://www.girlcharlee.com
Thank you!
Well! Aren’t we just gorgeous!……………lookin’ awesome.
Thanks, Cara! 🙂
Ok, this is my new favorite of your Monetas!!! I am LOVING that fabric!!
Thanks, Erin!! It’s my favorite, too!
Love your dress. You look so pretty!
Thank you, Tiffany! 🙂
That is a great dress. All of them are lovely.
Thanks!!! 🙂
So ladylike! The 3/4 sleeves are always an elegant choice. Great job!
Thanks, Rox! Definitely need more 3/4 sleeve monetas for cold weather!
Yes, I”ve had exactly that problem with Girl Charlee knits too – but their print selection is awesome. I do love this dress so much, the print with the Moneta silhouette is fantastic. Awesomeness as usual.
Thanks, T! Yes, I love their prints, too, so I’m sure I will be buying more in the future. Just need to be aware of the quality!
Lovely dress! Good to know thinner knits with pattern can disguise some of me bumps. Will take heart with a few stashed pieces! This summer I’ve been wearing dresses every day, too. They feel cooler in our heat & humidity. xx del
Dresses are truly the best in the heat!!
This dress is crazy awesome! I am drooling on that print right now. But that’s unfortunate the quality of the material from Girl Charlee wasn’t the best. I’ve ordered twice from them and found that it wasn’t exactly clear on the quality as well and was a little disappointed with a couple pieces.. then loved the quality of another piece of knit. I just figured it was my random experience, it’s interesting to hear.
But that print… crap that’s nice.
Thanks, Kathy! I read o n the thread theory blog that if you look for the knits labeled “designer” that you’ll get a better quality fabric.
Beautiful, lively fabric. The dress looks great on you. The 3/4 sleeves are a nice look. Living where I do, in southern Baja, I know what you mean about 3/4 sleeves in summer, or any sleeves, or any clothes at all in summer… Very pretty make, and nice photos. I know SD well. My sin in kaw is from Siiux Falks and graduated from USD. My cousin and her husband retired there. Small world, nice dress.
Thanks, Susan!! It sure is a small world. I’m always finding people with connections to SD here in CA.
So pretty!! Great photos! I had been wondering if you wore dresses everyday. I really want to get in the habit of wearing more.
Thanks, Shanni! Yep, I wear them every day, although I’ve been getting into wearing skirts as well. You have so many pretty dresses that you’ve made!!
That is a fantastic print. It’s too bad that the quality of the fabric didn’t live-up to standards. I’m going to cut my teeth on knits this weekend. I need someone to hold my hand while I do it. Thank goodness for sewing friends!
Thanks, Michelle!! Sewing knits will be easy peasy after making your own shoes!!
love this dress and the beautiful photos! looks like it was a fun trip.
Thank you, Megan!! 🙂
Looks great! I’m so glad the fabric worked out in the end. I am afraid of knits, and of Girl Charlee, for just that reason…
Thank you, Kelly! Shopping for knits in person seems to be the way to go!
Your dress is lovely! I like the 3/4 sleeve option for cooler weather.
Thanks, Jan!! I love the versatility of this dress and the pattern!