Colette Laurel dress

I took my sewing machine in for service yesterday. It was long over due - maybe 5 years? I won't have it back for 7-10 days. Very sad. Fortunately, I finished this dress before I took it in.  This is Colette Pattern Laurel dress.  I think it's supposed to be a shift-ish dress but on me, it's like a loose shift dress.  Despite my continued sizing issues, I love this dress!!!  It's super comfortable and perfect for summer.

I'm about ready to give up on Colette patterns (after I make another 100 of this dress).  The patterns are cut for women who are far more voluptuous and short-waisted than me and I end up having to make a lot of adjustments to the pattern and then the dress once I have it sewed together.  I was really careful when taking my measurements and picking the correct size pattern but it's still kind of loose in the top and I ended up taking 1-2" off the side seams. 

The fabric is a Japanese print that I got on sale.  How can you not love a dress that was made for $10?!  I really love how it came out, even if it's not the way it was supposed to come out.  I have fabric for a sleeveless version that I'll whip together when I get my machine back. 

My mom taught me how to make a nice seam finish on the neckline by making my own bias tape.  It's a lot more comfortable than a interfaced yoke - I'll have to keep this in mind on other projects. 

Happy Summer!