Madam! Your knees are on show!

 

I present - my Rooibos dress. And it's turned out a bit shorter than I would like. I don't think it's shockingly short, but it's certainly a little out of my normal comfort zone. Perhaps I'm getting prudish in my old age, but I would have preferred it to be a bit longer. I'm aware that this is my fault for not adding a bit to the length. As I'm tall I really should know to expect this.

Very creased Franken-muslin

The whole process did not start well. I thought I'd be smart and cut a smaller size than normal out of the paper pattern before making the bodice muslin, reasoning that I always have to make muslins smaller. And guess what? The muslin was FAR too small. After some humming and hawing, during which I considered giving up or buying a whole new pattern to cut the larger size (!), I managed to add in some extra pieces of fabric to end up with a muslin that I could make fit.

Putting the final dress together was fine overall, and it was helpful to have the sewalong posts. I put in an invisible zip, which I hadn't used since my sewing class, and it went surprisingly smoothly. I used the Colette post on this which was great. I think ironing the zip made all the difference, and I'm really delighted with the resulting zip. I don't even have an invisible zip foot, just a regular one-sided zip foot and was able to get a great result.

 

I opted not to add piping to the neckline, partly because I didn't have much polka dot fabric to spare. I added piping to the pockets which looks great (if I say so myself) and is a nice touch to mirror the collar fabric.

Once I attached the skirt to the bodice, I realise that the length was pretty short, and also that the shape wasn't as fitted as I hoped. I did take it in a bit at the sides - witness my big-fat-french-seams, which helped a little.

 

 Fat French seams

Here's my review of the pattern:

Pattern Used

Rooibos dress by Colette Patterns

Does it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope? 

Yes - well, I think the skirt looks more flare-y than on the pattern drawing. This may be partly due to my choice of fabric which was quite stiff, without too much drape, and perhaps a little heavy for the pattern so the hem sits out a little more than it otherwise would.

Were the instructions easy to follow? 

Yes, as always Colette Patterns' instructions are great. That being said, I would have struggled for longer to get my head round the instructions for sewing the armholes, without the excellent explanation in the sewalong post. This was very useful!

Inside pocket view 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? 

I love the little contrast collar, the pockets with piping (I'm very proud of those) and the invisible zip. I dislike the back darts, which give a 'back boob' effect. I think the back would look better with those left out completely.

 

 

 

Back view with darts

Fabric & Notions 

Green cotton drill, raspberry polka dot cotton, 2 spools of thread (green and red), interfacing, invisible zip. I considered adding polka dot covered buttons or suitable buttons from my stash but in the end have left it plain for the meantime. What do you think?

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made

I had to take it in at the sides and I elongated the back darts in an attempt to make them look less 'boob-y'.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  
I might sew it again in the future.I would like one in suiting fabric, for work.

Cost

Fabric    £14.23

Pattern   £13.00

Zip         £2.50

Thread   £3.10

Total = £32.83

Conclusion

I'm not completely happy with the length and the overall skirt shape. I do like the pattern but I don't absolutely love the result - time will tell how often I actually wear this. Ask me in a few months when I've worn it and I might reassess!

Knees!