can you believe that i actually started this dress a little over a month ago? i got halfway through the construction – completed the bodice, basically – and then sadly put it aside to work on lladybird duds. i was so excited to finish it, i went straight home after the big event & had it completed in time to wear it that night! yay!
this pattern was SO EASY to put together – and so very flattering (if i do say so myself!). also, i just really love the fabric. i love it so much, i want to eat it. is that weird? that is kind of weird.
as mentioned, i used the rooibos as my pattern, and like i said: easy easy EASY. i decided to pipe the neckline & arm openings & pockets – piping the neckline was kind of fiddly & i ended up picking out my stitches several times, but i absolutely think it was worth it in the end. i considered piping the waistline as well, but i think i tend to overdo it with my piping & i wanted to keep that shizz simple!
the fabric is this gorgeous cotton/rayon (i think?) blend that i picked up at a yardsale a month or so ago. it is very soft & comfortable! i used cotton broadcloth to make my own piping – bright, screaming yellow. i bound the facing edges in bright yellow bias tape, which i miraculously had in my stash, which miraculously matched perfectly, and there was miraculously *just enough* to go around. MIRACULOUS.
the only pattern adjustment i made was that i ended up taking a quite a bit off the waistline – 1/2″ off each side. it looked a little dumpy on me when it wasn’t perfectly fitted. i cut the pattern in a straight 4, but i think next time i will grade the waist down to a 2. i’ve noticed i take the waist in every time i make up a colette pattern, so this will probably end up being a regular adjustment that i make in the future.
pockets! they are lined with the yellow broadcloth 🙂
you can see the neckline better here.
or here!
i didn’t close up the top part over the zipper on the side… i had already serged the seams down & i didn’t feel like unpicking it. next time! this works fine, though. i put a hook & eye at the top.
oh, and my invisible zipper is METAL? weird, huh? i’ve never seen a metal invisible zipper. i bought a whole mess of them at the flea market from my favorite vendor… just happened to have this yellow one that matched perfectly.
i love my covered buttons, although they tend to get lost in the print
the facing stayed flat well enough on it’s own, but i tacked it down just to be safe. just a couple tiny stitches through the middle layers – you can’t see them on the outside or the inside.
love how perfectly the bias tape matches the broadcloth.
i forgot – i made a matching yellow belt to wear with it!
i used a vintage buckle, covered in yellow fabric, and belt backing. i bought my stuff at the flea market & my local fabric store, respectively, but sunni also sells them in her shop. it is WORTH IT – belt backing is waaaay more stable than using interfacing. and self-covered buckles! my favorite!!
pretty thrilled with my new dress 🙂 i already bought fabric to make a winter version – lipstick red fine wale corduroy. i am stuck on trying to decide on contrast fabric, though. i’m thinking a red-based plaid for the facing & pocket piping… and a matching red plaid belt! what do you think? if i can find the plaid in time, i will definitely follow the colette rooibos sewalong!
as a side note, notice anything new about my hair? 🙂 i redyed it over the weekend – IT IS SO RED. gawd, i love being a (faux)redhead 🙂
LLADYBIRD 
It’s adorable!!! You’ve totally rocked the Rooibos pattern…. I don’t think you could improve on it at all! 🙂
The yellow is the perfect color for the piping and your insides are so neat and tidy.
LOVE it!
Oh. My. God. It’s utterly stunning, my favourite Rooibos ever in the history of the world (and I’ve seen some corkers!) Taking in the waist has completely changed the look of it, it fits you perfectly and it’s SO flattering. I love the fabric, I remember your post about it (it’s similar to Sunni’s Ginger skirt right?) and the yellow piping is inspired, so glad you didn’t go with purple! Brilliant job. x
wow! thank you! it’s my favorite rooibos too but i’m obviously a little biased 🙂 haha! and yep, it’s the sunni ginger knock off fabric! maybe i’ll call this one the sunni dress 🙂
Wow. Really – just wow. That dress is perfectly flattering (I love the new hair) and yeah, basically everything Jane said. Wow!
This might be my favorite version of this dress. So adorable. The herringbone fabric I picked out for the Rooibos looks kinda lame now 🙂
noo i bet it is lovely! i want to see when you finish it 🙂
I love your dress!!! How is Colette sizing? I usually make a size 12 in the Big 4 (butterick, vogue, etc) for my 34 bust. It looks like the size 2 in Colette is the 34 bust, but that seems awfully small for me.
thank you! the colette patterns have very little ease, so definitely go up a size if you prefer a looser fit. fwiw, my measurements are 35-26.5-36 (high bust 33) and i fit the size 4 at top, 2 at bottom.
i can’t even handle the big 4 size charts because they put so much ease into their patterns, i usually cut whatever works via the finished measurements & then do a FBA from there. it usually ends up being something absurdly small like a 4 or an 8!
I’m sorry but Holy Shit! This is the best version of this dress I’ve seen. I have to admit I’ve looked over the Rooibos pattern because I thought it was a bit frumpy. Taking in the waist just transformed it completely. Love it with the matching belt too. Love it!
Wow- you are totally making me rethink that pattern- gorgeous!
This version on the Rooibos has actually convinced me to take part in the Colette sew-along. I wasn’t convinced the style would suit me, but I like how you’ve made yours skirt more a-line than clingy. It’s a seriously cute dress…love it!!!
LOVE this so much! the fabric is amazing–the fit is fabulous and I really adore the matching belt!
Well done, it looks great! You’ve definitely inspired me to start on my own Rooibos.
I love it! the color choices and the matching belt, everything! Can’t wait for your 2nd version.
I forgot to ask: what size belt buckle did you use? I’m always worried about the buckle being too wide and I love the idea of making my own. Thanks in advance.
that’s a good question – i didn’t even know belt buckles came in sizes (although, in reflection, it totally makes sense!). i just looked at the package & it says it is a 1″ buckle. my belt backing is 1.5″, which is why it looks a little smooshed thru the buckle. i hope that helps!
Thanks for the information, I think it’s the ideal size for me.
Gosh this is the first time I’ve seen this dress and actually liked it! Great work. Love the fabric and all the contrast yellow.
Beautiful! This is probably one of the nicest versions of this pattern that I’ve seen. I love your fabric choice and the yellow highlights. It really suits you. It looks more fitted on top and/or wider in the skirt than other versions I’ve seen – more flattering. Good work!
Everything about this dress is freaking awesome. Just stumbled upon your blog after seeing this on Flickr, but I definitely have to add it to my Reader!
This is really, really gorgeous and you look stunning in it. Bravo!
Very cute, gonna try it. Thanks for sharing your lovely dress pattern.