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The Colette Sewing Handbook: The Truffle and Licorice Dresses

And now… the final two patterns from The Colette Sewing Handbook.

Let’s start with the Truffle dress. First of all, let me just say that I am a huge fan of peplums. Perhaps it stems from my fascination with 1940s clothing as a teenager back in the 90s, when 40s rayon dresses seemed to be cheap and plentiful. Perhaps it’s that they are so dramatic, while at the same time capable of hiding certain areas of your figure. Or perhaps it’s just that they are so darn pretty.

This dress comes as part of the chapter on fabric which, I will confess to you now, is my favorite chapter in the whole book. I wanted to design something that could look wildly different depending on fabric choice, and I think this dress fits the bill.

In a lightweight silk dupioni, it’s a super fancy little cocktail dress. In a cotton lawn, it’s a beautiful casual summer dress. In a silk crepe, it’s lovely and work appropriate with a cardigan. You can choose a stiff fabric for a dramatic peplum, or a drapey fabric for a more subtle ruffle effect. Basically, this dress gives you an opportunity to really consider the qualities of your fabric as a design element.

My goal is to find the perfect rose printed silk for this one. Can’t you just see it in a classic retro floral?

And then there is the Licorice dress. Licorice is something of a capstone project for the book. It gives you a chance to use a variety of construction techniques you’ve learned throughout, and also to try out sewing a dress with a lining.

Licorice is just lovely. The full sleeves gathered with elastic at the cuffs are so pretty and flattering. I don’t know why, but their proportions just seem to make your waist look smaller somehow. The lack of waist seam makes this particularly forgiving for those of us without tiny waists (ahem). The collar is tucked at the shoulders, so that it pinches into a sort of draped effect, almost like a cowl.

So far, I have two Licorice dresses in my closet, both in beautiful silk crepes. By the way, if you guys are interested in seeing those, let me know and I’ll try to take some photos.

So that’s it for the five patterns included in The Colette Sewing Handbook! I hope you all have enjoyed the little previews.

Next up, I’m going to share a little video we took behind the scenes at the photoshoot for the book. I think it will show you how much fun we have at these things.

Some related posts you may be interested in:

Sarai Mitnick

Founder

Sarai started Colette back in 2009. She believes the primary role of a business should be to help people. She loves good books, sewing with wool, her charming cats, working in her garden, and eating salsa.

Comments

Silke

October 5, 2011 #

Beautiful. I’m looking forward the book and sewing some nice holiday outfits. It would be nice to see your silk crepe licorice dresses. :-)

Alison

October 5, 2011 #

I can’t wait for your book to come out. I was going to ask for it for Christmas, but am not sure I can wait that long!

Would definitely like to see the Licorice dresses you’ve already made as well.

Joanne

October 5, 2011 #

Wow you’ve whetted my appetite now. Can’t wait – have it on pre-order already. Love the licorice – totally my style.

PascalefromParis

October 5, 2011 #

Huuum, very nice. I love your book before having it on hand! I just perorder it on amzon.fr, last week…
My favorite patterns will probably be Taffy blouse and Meringue shirt, but who knows ?!
A lot of fabric are langishing in my closet in anticipation ;-)
Pascale

Marie

October 5, 2011 #

I actually CANNOT WAIT to get my hands on your book! Truffle is just gorgeous!!!

Anna

October 5, 2011 #

So when is the book out? My birthday is coming up, I think I’ll have to leave some sort of hit lying about for the boyfriend to find…

Ashley0107

October 5, 2011 #

Now that I’ve seen all of the patterns, I’ve placed my order :D Though to be honest, I would have bought it anyway just for the pattern on the cover! I think Truffle is my favourite though :)
Ashley x

Nikki

October 5, 2011 #

Oh, that Truffle dress is gourgeous! Elegant and so ladylike! I’m just hoping the book is coming for Christmas, if I can wait long enough! The sleeves on Liquorice are beautiful!

Tonya Richard

October 5, 2011 #

Well, that settles it, I love every single outfit in the book! I have not looked forward to a book this much in a really long time! And of course I want to see the dresses, duh! LOL

Emilie

October 5, 2011 #

I would love to see your other versions of the licorice! I think the dresses look really fun.

Elayoé

October 5, 2011 #

I bought it today on amazon. Can´t wait to hold it in my hands :)

Rebecca

October 5, 2011 #

:) This makes me very happy! I am so glad I pre-ordered this book!

Sally

October 5, 2011 #

I can’t wait for this book! Every project in here is an absolute dream! I love love LOVE these dresses!

Sally

October 5, 2011 #

Oh and yes! I’d love to see your versions of the dresses please! It’ll give me some ideas on what fabrics to use!

liza jane

October 5, 2011 #

Yes, definitely show your dresses! I love the full, gathered sleeve.

Jessica

October 5, 2011 #

Yes, please show us the other Licorice dresses you have made!

I am so excited – I can barely wait for my pre-order to arrive! I have been telling everyone I know about the book and the patterns!

Le Petite Hoot

October 5, 2011 #

Yes, yes! Show us the pictures of your silk crepe Licorice dresses. Please! :)

Erin

October 5, 2011 #

I truly have never wanted to own a book more in my life!!

dentelline

October 5, 2011 #

Hi Sarai,
I prefer the Truffle dress! In white, this dress is nice!
Thanks for sharing!
Have a good evening!

Crystal

October 5, 2011 #

I love all the patterns from your book. I am newer to fashion sewing, and I think it would be fun to read and sew my way through your book. It sounds very informational. My favorites are Licorice and Taffy. And, of course we want to see pictures of your licorice dresses.

fangaroni

October 5, 2011 #

Sarai, you’ve convinced me to plop down my credit card, I can’t resist Truffle! I’d also love to see your version of the book’s garments, because I’m sure they are beautiful!

Simone

October 5, 2011 #

Of course we are interested!! :-) I’d love to see them, and I really AM looking forward to getting this great book with these cute patterns – I just love them all.

lsaspacey

October 5, 2011 #

Loving the Truffle!

Rachel

October 5, 2011 #

I think I’m going to have to preorder this next week when I go to preorder the husbands Christmas books. I was going to wait until it came out but after seeing all the patterns, I can’t.

Sarai

October 5, 2011 #

Thanks everyone! I will try to take some photos of my dresses soon!

Seraphinalina

October 5, 2011 #

I adore truffle. I’m glad to see you will try to take some pictures of your version of licorice because I’d like to join the choir in saying YES! to pictures.

Thalia

October 5, 2011 #

I love the patterns in the book and when I saw Truffle I rushed right over to pre-order. Don’t know if I can wait until November.

Carla

October 5, 2011 #

“First of all, let me just say that I am a huge fan of peplums. ” Yayyyy! Peplums are awesome. I loved all the previews for the book, I’m going to ask for this as an x-mas gift. :3

Mo

October 5, 2011 #

The Licorice in polka dots is so very cute.

Sarah

October 5, 2011 #

Gorgeous dresses! I am so looking forward to making them both. :) Yes, please, please show us what you’ve made. I love those peeks into your closet!

Jane Elise

October 5, 2011 #

Sarai, I have been doing a lot of browsing of vintage patterns recently and I just love how you have taken some great features of vintage garments and modernised them very subtly to make them extremely wearable and not costumey at all. I’m a huge fan of the licorice dress – it has the beautiful puff sleeves of a 40s or 70s dress made to look perfect for 2012+! Wearable vintage with excellent instructions?? Yes please!! Totally love it all!

Libby

October 5, 2011 #

That Truffle looks like it needs to be lengthened and worn to my sister’s wedding don’t you think?? Will that be a relatively easy adjustment to make? And please show us the money…er Licorce!!!

Francesca

October 6, 2011 #

Yummy:). I had tiny glimpses of these two on the flyer that came with my patterns – enough to raise my appetite even more! I have to confess that even before seeing anything except the front page I had pre-ordered the book – I love your pattern instructions, and knew I would like more of the same – plusI knew I would love all the patterns, and hoped they would all suit my particular figure – now I know they will….

Please show us your dresses :)

noreen

October 8, 2011 #

The licorice dress is gorgeous! Do you think it will work in a stretchy fabric? I will need to accomodate a growing belly. ;-)

Sarai

October 8, 2011 #

I haven’t tried it, but maybe? I can’t see why not, as long as you are familiar with sewing knits.

TeaMyDear

October 9, 2011 #

Sarai,
Thanks so much for the previews of all the patterns. I’m going to preorder the book now!
While I think I already have too many sewing books that explain sewing techniques, I like how your book looks like it’s versatile and useful for sewists at different levels. The concept of your book is very inspirational and the patterns you included are lovely. Also, I enjoy reading your blog so much that I am looking forward a lot to having more to read written by you! :-)
PS: I’d love to see your Licorice dresses!

Alejandrina

October 9, 2011 #

the second dress is nice but, am i the only person having a hard time seeing the white one against a white background?

Jenny

October 20, 2011 #

I’m so excited about this book! I learned so much about sewing just from using your patterns (so much more so–there’s no comparison, really–than from others), that the handbook will hardly spend anytime on the book shelf. The Licorice dress looks fantastic–I love the sleeves! Can’t wait to give it a go! : )

Loutheo

June 15, 2012 #

Hello from France!
I have just found in my closet a nice fabric I think it would suit for the shuttle dress. (Sorry for my very bad english! Fortunately I read much more than I write it!!!)
Miracle : there is also a suitable lining in the box!
and enoufgh of both!
I hope I will soon tell you about the result! Why not a photo ?
Thank you for your nice and usefull book!

Louise

May 26, 2013 #

Hi Sarai et al, I’m happily working on my Licorice and just love the book. What I’m longing to clear up, however, is the mystery of the dotty Licorice fabric? What is it- I’m in love!