I love the fabric I used. It's Splashy Rose in Garden from Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet 2 Collection. I adore the big and bold roses and the soft aqua background. I should have thought out my pattern placement on the bodice a little more thoroughly, though. *ahem*
Overall, I think Hazel is a lovely pattern that yields a very pretty garment and I like how you have so many opportunities for personalization. I have to be honest in saying that if this dress were not part of the sew-along, I would not have finished it. There is a reason that Mrs. Singer is modelling it and not me. The terrible truth is: I don't like this dress on me.
The bodice is lovely, but despite several tweaks, it just does not flatter me. The pockets are an issue, too, as they draw attention to my lower half; not ideal for a pear-shaped figure. With dresses, as with skirts, I either need them to be very full and fluffy or very fitted and the Hazel skirt, out of the envelope, is not quite right for my figure.
I do like the lime rick rack finish on the hem and plan on using this on more projects and full credit goes to Scruffy Badger and her Elephant Dress for this finish.
So sorry it's not a more positive review. The pattern and instructions are lovely, as we can expect from Colette Patterns, but Hazel and I are simply not meant to be. One of the lessons in sewing is that you sometimes don't know if a pattern will be flattering until you make it, despite your croquis.
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August 1st marks the start of our second project for Sew Colette 2.0: The Macaron Dress! This pattern is so versatile - it can easily be adapted for warm or coll weather wear. I hope you'll join us!
18 comments:
Oh well, it looks lovely on the dress form! I made two and my opinion is the bodice neckline is too high, and the skirt can be a bit fuller . As is, the pattern seems a bit boxy. but I still like it as a simple sundress. Love the ric rac!
I love the ric-rac at the hem!! I have to copy that idea soon! It's a bummer that you and Hazel aren't a match. But it's lovely on Mrs. Singer. :)
I love the floral print, and the ric rac! I'm sorry to hear you're not much a fan of the pattern. It's not my favorite Colette one either, but I'll wear mine. The bust darts drive me nuts though!! Also very "ahem" lol. Here's to better luck with the Macaron! You've had great luck with that one right?
That fabric is so pretty! I love the V detail on the bodice but I know without even attempting it that the pattern isn't for me. I would make so many alterations that it wouldn't even be the same dress!
I actually just started a Macaron recently and am in the fitting stage. Maybe if I work slow enough I can join your sewalong. ^_^
Oh, I love this floral! I'm really sorry that you're not excited about it. Truthfully, I'm not in love with mine, either... it's just not my favorite shape. But I have faith that your Macaron dress will more than make up for this one!
Oh dear, I am sorry to hear your experience with Hazel didn't go well. I have just bought the pattern (as it is winter and didn't want to make it too early). I hope I like it.
If it doesn't suit you then that's being honest. '
I'll be trying the Macaron so I hope this style will work on me. I hope it works on you as well.
The fabric is stunning and the ric rac ,Akers it very special. Ham it does flatten you
Sorry this one is a disappointment. It looks beautiful on the dress form. Maybe you can find someone that it fits? I love the ric rac on the hem - good touch!
Such pretty fabric! Sorry the pattern didn't work out for you - it did turn out lovely though :) I didn't think about the print placement til you said something and then i lol'd ^_^
Its a beautiful dress in a beautiful print, but I share your concerns about whether it is flattering on a pear shape.
I also had reservations about the shape of the Hazel dress with my body type when I looked at the photos from Flickr. I just drafted a simple pencil skirt to replace the gathered skirt, and the dress came out very flattering. I would definitely recommend trying another one with a pencil/A-line skirt and then seeing if you like that better. I love my adapted Hazel dress, and I wear it all the time! -Kate
Don't feel bad about posting late, I still haven't posted mine! :)
I love the colors of the dress!
Gotta say--I love that you showed the fabric placement on the bodice. It makes me feel better to know someone of your talents & experience does the things I would do (probably nowhere near as often!). Beautiful fabric, but not one of my fav patterns either.
I, too, have been struggling with my final draft of the Hazel and still haven't finished it, actually. I've replaced the skirt with a straighter one from one of my go-to patterns (Vogue 8184) and I love the fabric I'm using, etc but I still just can't get to the finish line somehow, and pattern ambivalence is part of it, I think.
Aww, that is some pretty fabric, too bad the pattern didn't work out for you! *lol* on the rose placement, I bet your plan was to center the big one? :D
The good news is that you know where to pick up some more fabric - It's a beautiful print! I've been feeling guilty even since you tweeted the pick of the WIP, because I'm horribly afraid that I might have been the first to point out the fabric placement over the bust - I really hope that wasn't the straw that broke your sewing mojo! Forgive me, please!
From the comments here though, I can tell a lot of people shared your feelings about the pattern. It's nice to be able to share the frustrations as well as the successes! (Your new shawl is beautiful, btw!)
Oh, bummer you don't love it. It's a lovely print though (and I didn't notice the placement of the print till you pointed it out! lol!)
Hopefully you'll find a way to salvage it or maybe find it another home?
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