Colette Phoebe

I’m so happy autumn is coming. It was so cool this past weekend and we decided to go apple picking! It’s one of my favorite fall activities (although I know technically summer is still here). I finished up this dress just in time to wear it out. It’s a great dress for layering! I wore it with a simple black top and some knee high socks. I definitely plan on wearing this with turtlenecks, as well. This was my first time making a Phoebe. I made version 2 and I decided to add some ruffles into the princess seams! I used a poly blend fabric I picked up at Joann’s in a burnt orange and cream houndstooth. It has a good weight to it and works nicely with this pattern. I’m really pleased with how this dress turned out. I took in the bodice a tiny bit but made no other adjustments. I would love to make version 1 with the buttons!

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Colette Penny

I made the Colette Penny dress over the past week and am so thrilled with this pattern! Penny is a shirtdress with two different styles- shortsleeved with a waistband and gathered skirt or sleeveless with a semi- circle skirt and waist belt. I made the latter.

The fabric I used is a cotton navy and white gingham I picked up at Jo Ann’s. I knew I wanted a dress for summer in this fabric but wasn’t sure what pattern to use when I bought it. It was the end of the bolt and the associate offered me another yard for half price. I’m so glad I decided to get it because I realized months later I had enough for this dress. The buttons I used I found in a Joanns clearance bin last month. I had no idea what I was going to use them for but I liked them. It was meant to be! They are the same gingham as the fabric and have a line of sparkle in them.

This was my last printed pattern of the three I won from Patternsy. It was a good choice because this pattern has a lot of pieces! I definitely do not recommend printing this one at home. I admit that I was putting this project off for quicker makes. I knew this was going to take some time and be more involved than anything else I’ve made in a while. The pattern sewed up very nicely, despite how many steps there were! The only issue I had was somehow my collar stand was too long for the neckline and I had to restitch. It’s less than perfect but it’s okay. I didn’t make any adjustments to the fit and I am happy with it.

This is a wonderful dress for summer and I think I can make it work into the cooler months with a cardigan. I’d love to make the other version but I’m sure it won’t be until next year. I highly recommend this pattern- just be sure to give yourself plenty of time!

Colette Walden Cooper Bag

Today is Michael’s 30th birthday! He needed a new messenger bag and when he saw this pattern he wanted me to make him one. So we went to the fabric store, he picked everything out and I went to work! I worked on this a little bit each night for a week. I haven’t sewn with canvas or made a bag before but I was very happy with how this turned out!

Sewing clips were a must for this project since the canvas is so thick. I also used a large denim needle on my machine and denim thread for my topstitching because of this.

He’s loves it and I’m so glad! 30 is a milestone and I wanted to make it an extra special day/weekend for him.  I also baked a cake for the occasion (Chocolate Heaven from the Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook) and put some decorations up for a little family get together last night!

Yellow Flowers & Wooden Leaves (Colette Moneta)

Michael walked through the door with a bunch of hand cut flowers the other day and it was the sweetest surprise!

How cute is this necklace from Layla Amber?! I have wanted one of her pieces for years and finally got one! She sells the most adorable wooden pieces of jewelry in her Etsy.

This is the first Moneta I made and I love the colors in this plaid. This rusty orange color is my favorite right now. I have a lot of extra fabric and am thinking about making a top with it.

Colette Aster

I made a Colette Aster top on Sunday afternoon. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly and easily this top came together! I made it out of a cotton gingham from Jo Ann fabrics. The only issue I had was with the top of the placket…it was a little tricky to get it to come to a perfect point on the first side I did. (which is why the buttons are on the wrong side since I put the nicer side on top.) The places where I had marked for buttons when I cut out the pattern also didn’t make sense once I had gotten to that step. Which was OK because I got to use my new adjustable seam gauge! This is such a neat little tool for button placement. Anyway, I already wore this top once but didn’t get any photos. I’ll be sure to get some next time! I plan on making this top in the long sleeve version in a flannel this winter.

Woodland Critters (Colette Moneta)

I’m sure it will be obvious soon enough- if something has cute woodland critters on it, I’ll want it. I already made one of these Colette Moneta dresses this season in a plaid but when I saw this fabric on the shelf at Jo Ann’s I knew I would be making another one sooner than I expected.

I really like this pattern. This dress is pretty easy and quick to sew, and it’s very easy to wear. And I mean, it has POCKETS. Which already makes it awesome. This is a cute option for walking around a flea market and thrift stores on the weekend- which is where I wore this! I layered it with some wool socks and a denim jacket since it was a bit cold and rainy. I’m still getting the hang of my twin needle, but I’m pretty happy with how the brown contrast stitching turned out.

Dress: handmade | Accessories: all have been in my closet for several years

Country Fair

I made this Colette Hazel dress last month and I’ve already worn it several times! This time it was to the fair. I can tell it is going to be a staple in my fall wardrobe. I can’t wait to layer it with turtlenecks, sweaters and tights. There were some definite 90’s vibes happening on this day. I tried out this new lip color and suddenly I needed to wear plaid and a choker necklace. 

Dress: handmade| Purse: Target| Sunglasses: Ralph Lauren