Making a Crepe out of Prince Charming!

Last year Patty suggested that I bring in the Colette line of patterns and said that the “Crepe” dress was the “buzz” of the sewing blogs.  She was not lying!  Every time I order this pattern it sells out before I can get around to making it.  Well, not this time.  Pattty just finished up the Perfect Wrap dress using this pattern and so there were plenty patterns on hand for me to grab one before they were all gone.

You know from this post that I’ve had my eye on that Prince Charming fabric by Tula Pink and I couldn’t resist using the off-white and turquoise for my Crepe.

Here is the front.  I was almost hesitant to use the off white for this dress because I didn’t want it to look like a ‘seasoned’ brides dress.  And then I was afraid maybe it looked like a bridesmaids dress with the turquoise, but frankly I think it turned out so darn pretty that I just don’t care anymore.   I love this dress.  The kids always ask me what is the best thing you made – and now I have an answer!  This DRESS!!

I decided to do the Sweetheart neckline instead of the scoop neck because I thought it would look better on me.

Here is the view from the back.  It’s hard to tell from these pictures, but this dress is a wrap dress that wraps in the back instead of the front – which I LOVE!!  I’ve made a few wrap dresses and I love them, but not on a windy day.  This dress pattern was very generous with the fabric in the back.   And really if the wind is going to take it, I guess I’d rather have people seeing my backside then my front side.  (eh hem)

I chose to sew down my facings, using a ‘daisy-chain’ decorative stitch on my Janome.  I often tell people that you will use the decorative stitches on your machine about 2% of the time, this is one of them.  I used a tourquoise thread on the top and a off white thread in the bobbin so that there was a nice contrast on both sides.  You can also see that I used the same stitch to sew along the edge, the wrap panel (which is harder to see) and the back facings.

I’ll admit this pattern is a fabric hog, but if you can get over that it was a great pattern for an advanced beginner.  If you decide to make it be sure to come in and ask Patty and I how we handled sewing in the facings.

Now that the dress is made will the REAL Prince Charming please step forward.   Happy Sewing!