Hello, friends!
This is my final dress from my fifth anniversary trip this past Memorial Day weekend at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. And these are probably the best photos that my husband took of me. 🙂 He must have not been complaining about taking my photos like he usually does.
Source: Colette Patterns
It’s been a year since I last made a Colette Chantilly. I adore this pattern and may just have to make another before summer is out. I had another dress in mind to make for our paper wedding anniversary, but decided that dress was going to be too hot to wear. I designed a pink cotton sateen dress strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline, full skirt and black lace overlay with bateau neckline and 3/4 sleeves. Someday I will make it.
I decided to finally make this Chantilly instead, which is a project that has been on my sewing list for a few years now. So long that I’d already used the silk charmeuse that I initially bought to pair with this fabric! The fabric is a unique Anna Sui print on silk chiffon that I purchased from Fabric Mart a while back. I paired it with purple nylon lining from my stash. Of course the silk charmeuse would have been a more luxurious lining for this dress, but this synthetic lining works as well.
I adore this dress. I’m not sure what took me so long to sew this fabric up as it’s divine. I had a few other patterns in mind for the fabric over the time it’s been in my stash, but decided on the Chantilly.
I graded this pattern up, did a swayback adjustment and added about an inch to the hem. All the normal adjustments that I make to patterns.
My only issue with this dress is that I wish I would have cut both an underlay for the chiffon as well as a lining. That’s what I usually do for dresses with sheer overlays like this. That way the seams are hidden in between the layers. I did sew French seams on both the silk chiffon and the lining. This added quite a bit of time to the dressmaking process as it’s a gored skirt.
I absolutely love this dress and look forward to wearing it to other special occasions. I sure do miss the older designs of Colette’s patterns. I love the way the older patterns fit me and although I’m out of the size range, I don’t have to grade them up much, so it’s not a big deal to me.
These photos were taken outside of our suite at the Madonna Inn. I’ve always wanted to stay there, so it was wonderful fulfilling that wish and a great anniversary present from my parents. We stayed in the Irish Hills room (better photos here), which is a very green room with stereotypical Irish furnishings. It also has stone sinks and a stone shower and the most divine green carpeting. All of the rooms at the Madonna Inn have a different motif with kitschy decorating. I made a list of about ten rooms that I liked and after my husband discounted all of the pink ones, he chose this room. Perhaps influenced by his Irish heritage? 🙂
Happy Sewing!
- Dress: Colette Chantilly in Anna Sui silk chiffon, made by me
- Shoes: Aerosoles
Stunning Tanya! I love the way it falls at the hem 🙂 but I love everything about it above the hem too! 🙂 It’s not easy sewing with that chiffon silk and you’ve done a gorgeous job.
Oh, this is absolutely beautiful, Tanya! The colors of your fabric are so pretty and rich–they look fabulous on you. You’re making me want to pull out my old Colette patterns, as well. Their old designs were so much more interesting!
Thank you, Mary! Te old Colettes definitely have more interesting design details. I may make another Chantilly before the summer is out. 🙂
Beautiful dress. One of my favorite things you’ve made lately.
Thank you, Cari!
Another beautiful make! That fabric is fantastic – I love the colors. I’m right there with you on missing Colette’s older design aesthetic. Sometimes I feel cheated even, that they reeled me in with their beautiful, girly yet wearable, retro designs and now everything is designed to be minimalistic and “simple”. Give me cool details again!
Thanks, Meg! Yes, definitely give us more interesting designs that are more advanced!
Wow! What a beauty — and it fits you well also!
Thank you, Robin! 🙂
Stunning Tanya. I think this is my favorite of all the dresses you’ve made. You’ve making me want to pull out my old Colette patterns!
Thanks, Jessica! I pulled out the Parfait the other day and am thinking about making that one up, too. Maybe with a different skirt.
I love this just as much as the first one, Tanya!
Thanks, Abbey! 🙂
Your dress is so incredibly beautiful! The fabric is gorgeous and it looks beautiful on you.
I’ve always wanted to make some of Colette’s older patterns. It’s good to hear that they are easy to grade up and work with. I miss those designs so much. The new stuff just isn’t my style.
Thanks, Andie! I’m so glad that I finally sewed this fabric up. I actually like the fit of the old Colette patterns better. I haven’t been impressed by the woven patterns that I’ve sewn since they expanded their size range.
Gorgeous
Thanks, Kathy!
Perfect combination of fabric and pattern. I’ve seen this pattern around but not thought much of it. But I love your version. If I’d seen this dress in this fabric in a shop I’d buy it in a heartbeat.
Thank you, Kate! The first time I sewed this pattern up, I wasn’t sure what to think of it either until I started putting it together and I loved the result.
So pretty! I love that fabric! And I also love that you made a whole wardrobe of beautiful dresses for your anniversary!
Thanks, Meg! Well, I was actually going to make the dresses anyway, it just gave me a push and a new place to wear them. 🙂
That is an adorable dress…it looks really great on you. Congratulations on your anniversary!
Thank you, Marty!
Beautiful!!!!! I probably would never have given this pattern a second look but with your fabric choice it is really pretty!
Thanks, Carlee! I think this pattern works very well for a sheer fabric.
this dress looks gorgeous on you, I don’t think there is a dress you’ve made that I don’t love!
Thank you! 🙂
that is really pretty – the colors looks great on you. Lovely dress. I agree – the older Colette patterns had a bit more style, or at least interest. p.s. even though I like having short hair I am slightly envious of your gorgeous curly locks 🙂
Thanks, Beth! 🙂 I miss having shorter hair when it’s in the heat of summer (as it is now!).
Oh, I have read about where you stayed. It looks so kitsch and so much fun. I love all the decor, especially the pink rooms. I think that this is one of favourite dresses that you have ever made. It looks fab on and you look gorgeous in it. The fabric is amazing, such a nice print. Xx
The pink rooms are favorite, too. Everything is pink around there! The print is so cool, isn’t it? I was happy to finally be wearing this fabric.
I’m not a pastel girl and that fabric is right up my alley!! It’s so nice to see bold deep colours on such a delicate and floaty dress. I go along with Lusty – Gorgeous model, beautiful fabric and fantastic location…………. Oh and a happy husband! YAY!
Thanks, Melissa! 🙂 I certainly love this print and wearing it especially!
That dress and the fabric and the location and the model! Fabulous!
Thank you, Lusty! 🙂
that dress looks amazing on you! you always seem to pick the right fabric for a pattern.
Thanks, Toni! 🙂
Glad to see this dress in all its finished glory, it looks beautiful on you! I have this pattern in my stash but I am beginning to doubt I will ever make it. i was going to use it for my bridesmaid dress project this summer, but honestly i was just to lazy to do the fitting and grading work and though I don’t mind going sleeveless in general, I wasn’t sure I wanted my bare arms to be memorialized forever in someone else’s wedding photos! Also, I always have all of my fit issues above the bust and i was worried that sorting out that neckline/strap situation would be nearly impossible. Of course, yours looks so great that now I’m gaining a little motivation to maybe give it a try after all!
Thank you, Megan! I’m thinking about making a more casual summer version of this pattern. I don’t think it would be hard for you to get the bodice to work for you.