Completed project: A vintage-style Colette Violet

14 Jan

I’ve wanted to do the Colette Violet for a while. I’ve been thinking it’s more practical for me to have more separates in my wardrobe since (as lovely as dresses are) I’m more likely to reach for them on a bleary-eyed Monday morning in the dark. Plus I wanted a nice blouse or two to take with me on my holibobs that would be light and fresh in the heat but would cover and protect my pale Irish upper arms.

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I was inspired by the vintage feel of Lauren’s and Nette’s versions so I chose a very lightweight floral cotton and adapted the pattern so it was a much tighter fit (more details below). The buttons are vintage – doncha love the pink pop of colour?

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Lordy that’s a bit of a Prozac gaze isn’t it?!

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A closer look at the peter pan collar.

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Noof noof fluffy Gracie.

Pattern review: Colette Violet (short-sleeved version)

Difficulty rating for StitchandWitter: 2/5

Fabric used: Just under 2m of a lovely vintage-style floral cotton from Walthamstow market

Total cost of dress (not including pattern): Approx £8.50 (think fabric was about £2 a metre, buttons were £4.50 for six)

Fitting issues: Now I knew the Colette Violet is supposed to be a loose-fitting blouse, so I decided to cut out a size 8 from the pattern. But once put together I realised I still wanted a more slender fit. So I hacked off a good bit on either side (see pics below). I also knew that Colette patterns often need a width reduction across the shoulders on me, so I did it right this time and took about an inch off either side at the top of the armhole.

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Making issues: I’d previously made a blouse with a peter pan collar and got incredibly confused with the placket and the facing so it ended up being hideous inside (although it was one of my first sewing projects last year). This time, it went like a dream, with Colette patterns’ lovely relaxing yet instructive voice guiding me though each step. I now feel like I can go back to that vintage pattern and try it again! My buttonholes still aren’t perfect. I get this issue on my machine where I can see occasionally it’s not leaving the stitch in the fabric. Not quite sure what’s going on there – may have to consult the manual.

Skills learned: Adding a placket.

Anything to add? I tried to finish the edges of the facing with self bias binding like Lauren’s fabulous version. I followed Portia’s excellent tutorial for making bias binding – what a breeze! But then tragedy struck – my masking tape is evidently the stickiest EVER and my fabric is soft and thin – the two became inextricably linked and wouldn’t be separated. They are now locked together in their hellish fabric/paper union in the sewing room bin. Ah well. I just turned the edges under a quarter inch instead.

Will I make again? Yes – without a doubt, especially now I have my alterations in place on my tracing. I plan to do multiple versions  in all these fabrics, maybe adding piping to the collar and front edges too:

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Have you made anything multiple times? How do you keep the process fresh so you don’t get bored?

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    Tags: Colette, colette violet, Dressmaking, Walthamstow Market

    • Comments 32 Comments
    • Categories Colette Violet, Dressmaking, Stuff I've made, Vintage

    32 Responses to “Completed project: A vintage-style Colette Violet”

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      ScruffY badger January 14, 2012 at 5:42 pm #

      Oooo too lovely for words! Do like your fabric choice and the cute buttons. ( also appreciating the cat talk!!) funny, I cut this out for me to make next- after nl 6000 are we on a joint sewing path? ( I am however being diverted by a dress though!) I too feel violet will be super useful and am interested you took in the side seams as I’m wondering how the loose fit will suit me too. Can’t wait to get back to mine now. !

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        Joanne January 14, 2012 at 5:52 pm #

        Thanks Winnie! I did hold off on buying the pattern for a long time because of the accompanying photos – it was just too blousy for me. But once I saw (from Nette and Lauren) that it could go smaller I was sold. It’s really comfy to wear. I’ve worn it two days in a row now (dirty!).

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      Suzy January 14, 2012 at 5:44 pm #

      It’s so lovely, and I love it as a closer fitting version. I often prefer close fitting so will bookmark your post to look at when time comes for me to do this pattern. I’ve had it since it came out but haven’t sewn it up yet.

      I feel your pain with buttonholes, my machine can be quite unpredictable with them and sometimes just doesn’t make them right.

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        Joanne January 14, 2012 at 5:54 pm #

        and it’s such an easy pattern to make closer-fitting Suzy – definitely worth it! How do you fix your errant buttonholes… or do you just sort of leave them as is? That’s what i did anyway but wasn’t sure if I should go over them again by hand – seemed like too much work in the end.

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      Kerry January 14, 2012 at 5:53 pm #

      What a sweet blouse! It’s really lovely and looks very vintage. I can see why you want to make a few of them!

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      ms. modiste January 14, 2012 at 6:05 pm #

      Oh, I love this! Everything about it. The print is gorgeous (and looks particularly great with the grey pants/brown belt combo). Well done!

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      Kat January 14, 2012 at 6:05 pm #

      What a great blouse! Love the fit, love the fabric, love the collar…love the cat! Like Suzy I prefer garments to be closer fitting, so I will definitely bookmark this post for future reference spacer

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      didyoumakethat January 14, 2012 at 7:26 pm #

      That is unbelievably wonderful. I don’t think I would have looked twice at this pattern if it hadn’t been for your make. I just love your fabric choice. Congratulations on a lovely make!

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      Kat H January 14, 2012 at 8:20 pm #

      This is gorgeous! I love the cut, and that Peter Pan collar combined with the floral fabric is stunning. spacer

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      sue January 14, 2012 at 9:06 pm #

      ooh, love your violet! nice work altering the cut, its a very flattering fit on you. spacer also love the fabric! I’ve got this pattern hanging out in my box-o-patterns but have been too intimidated by all the buttonholes to try it yet. :-/

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      gingermakes January 14, 2012 at 10:01 pm #

      Really, really sweet! I love this more fitted version– it’s more flattering and grown-up!

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      Marie January 14, 2012 at 11:52 pm #

      Wow, wow, wow! This is a great style on you and the fabric is the perfect choice for your skin tone. I’ve liked other versions of this blouse, but not for me, due to the loose fit. But you’ve seriously made me reconsider.

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      prttynpnk January 15, 2012 at 12:21 am #

      Too cool for school! I love everything about sit-up great job!

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      Montana January 15, 2012 at 4:07 am #

      Ooh, how adorable is that spacer I think I might have to try making this one. I love the fabric that you chose. And your fluffy friend there is pretty cute too!

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      Rochelle New January 15, 2012 at 4:56 am #

      Wow I love that!! It’s beautiful.

      Reply
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