Sunday, September 22, 2013

Miss Hazel Is in the (Floral) Navy


Why, look! It's another Colette Hazel. This is actually the initial version I wanted to make, in a lovely navy & pink floral, but that had to wait until some of the pattern fitting was worked out. Yet again, I added a gathered skirt, because full skirts are always a good idea. 


This fabric has been in my stash for a year, just waiting for the right project. I picked it up on my trip to London last year, where I finally experienced the wonder that is Goldhawk Road. If you ever go to Londonscratch that, darlingsif you ever go within a hundred miles of London, you must go! After swooning over all the purchases our favorite UK-based sewists have made there, the block of fabric shops was at the top of my sightseeing list. It is a reasonably priced fabric wonderland and, yes, my suitcase did double in weight afterward.

A ditsy pink floral on navy cotton poplin, this is the first piece I've used from that trip. It is lovely and fun and completely inappropriate for an autumnal dress. Of course, I don't care! I can't say no to a flowery dress, as we know. When it gets chilly, I'll throw on a pair of tights and call it a day.


Like my original Hazel, it looks killer with a cardigan and fits like a dream. I made the same adjustments as the last time, grading from a 14 to an 18 bust line to a 14 waist, instead of a traditional FBA. The bodice fits really well with my rather improvised strategy, so I didn't see much need to go the usual route. I suspect that success is at least partially due to Colette Patterns being drafted for fuller cup sizes.


So, there we go! Another Hazel. Shall we just continue on with a ton of pictures? Please excuse the wrinkles, my dears. I wore it blissfully all day long, before taking these.

Look at the lovely fabric! Goldhawk Road, I miss you so. 





For the back, I used an invisible zipper and hook/eye combination. The dress is fully lined in navy lawn, which is hand-attached to the zipper and inner waistline. Naturally, I neglected to take pictures of the insides. So...it's this dress, but inside out and navy. Thrilling, really.

A side picture! Woohoo!



There we have it, kittens: another Colette Hazel. This is definitely not my last, as I do love how this bodice comes together. It's an utterly divine sundress, especially with a full dirndl skirt pattern hack, and one I've already worn twice since finishing.

 I hope you all had a lovely weekend! Personally, I'm going to spend the rest of tonight watching Veronica Mars with my newly VM-addicted Sam and cutting out another Hazel...or three...

12 comments

  1. Very pretty! Glad your non-FBA idea worked! Might give it a try myself.

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    1. Thanks so much, Nessa! It took some fiddling with side seams, but it worked really well for me. It was definitely less hassle than what a traditional FBA looks like for this pattern.

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  2. So. Fierce.
    I need to try Hazel again with this FBA method- such a rad idea!

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    1. Thanks, Amanda!!I I loved this method - the real FBA for this one was rather daunting, but grading and fiddling w/seam allowances worked really well for me. I totally recommend it, especially if you don't need that much more length in the bodice!

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  3. such a lovely dress. absolutely ADORE that fabric!!! ahh if i could only get myself to London. can't wait to see all the other glorious things you sew up from your london stash :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Sarah! Isn't this fabric amazing? It's my *least* favorite of the yardage I brought back from London, which says a lot about the rest of it. They definitely have the market cornered on gorgeous cottons.

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  4. So pretty and it fits beautifully! And personally I think darker florals like this one are fabulous with tights and a cardigan for fall! I can't wait to return to London -- definitely hitting up Goldhawk Road next time! I had no idea it was so amazing. (Aw, and now I have "We Used to Be Friends" stuck in my head....)

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    1. Thanks, Map! Goldhawk completely lives up to its hype in sewing blogland. There are, at least, seven amazing little fabric shops, each heaped with fabrics. Between that and my discovery that Liberty sells remnants, my suitcase was bulging.

      (Also, I hooked Sam on VM about two weeks ago...and the song has been stuck in my head pretty much every day since then! So good.)

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  5. You've been so prolific lately; I can scarcely keep up with you!

    Anyway, this Hazel is divine. I've never been to Goldhawk Road, so I can't wait to see the rest of your finds.

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    1. Thanks so much! I'm so glad you like it. Also - I can barely keep up with myself. Apparently, once my blogging mojo finally returned, it returned in full force. It seems I blog and don't blog with equal gusto... ;)

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  6. Fabulous make! Such lovely fabric, and I love how you've accessorized it! Both the yellow and the green belts look perfect with it, the cardi as well. And inappropriate for autumn? Puh-lease... You are still in TX right?? ;)

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    1. Thanks so much, Susan! I was so excited that it ended up working both ways. When I was sewing it up, I was steeling myself to be consigned to brown accessories only, but it surprised me. Also, you have a totally valid point...in TX, we barely have autumn anyway. ;)

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