Start your sewing adventure with us.    Join Seamwork

Articles on this site were all published prior to 2017 and this site is no longer updated. Please visit our current Articles, Patterns, and Classes for the most up-to-date content and products.

Featured Seamstress: Sue

Name: Sue

Skill Level: Beginner

Pattern: Peony

Her Blog: Sewin’ Steady

Her Post about the Dress: “The ‘Good Intentions’ Dress”

What kind of fabric did you use? I used some lightweight navy blue & white cotton I’d had in my stash.

How did you decide to reflect your personal style in the pattern? Casual dresses are a big part of my wardrobe, so I went for a more casual look with the polka-dotted cotton I chose. I really like the Peony’s modest neckline, but thought my version needed a little something extra to spice up the upper part of the dress. I added contrasting cuffs on the sleeves using some navy & white striped scraps and a pop of red piping from my stash.

What thoughts do you have about the project? When I first saw the Peony, I was drawn to its classic, versatile style. It’s really a pattern with almost endless possibilities and I’d love to make it again (and again). I’ve thought of using a fancier fabric and making the contrasting cummerbund belt for a formal look, or going for an office appropriate style using a wool plaid for fall and making the longer sleeves. I’m definitely glad I tried this pattern! It has so much to offer and there’s even room for a beginner like me to add my own embellishments.

Thanks, Sue!

Caitlin Clark

Caitlin is the Colette Patterns design assistant. You can follow Caitlin at her blog, the story girl.

Comments

Emma

April 9, 2012 #

Really lovely! I love the polka dot and the cuffs, looks like a great comfortable dress for summer. x

Alison J Prata O’Grady

April 9, 2012 #

You did a great job! It is great when we discover a pattern that is so versatile!

Christine

April 9, 2012 #

I love the sleeves! Nice job!

Anna Christina

April 9, 2012 #

You definitely have a knack for sewing and a great creative style. I love this dress! Thanks for sharing and inspiring.

Hannah

April 9, 2012 #

This is SO adorable!

Alessa

April 9, 2012 #

Oh, how pretty! I love the polka dots, as well as the contrasting cuffs and belt!
Congrats on being featured, too, Sue!

rose

April 9, 2012 #

After seeing it in a casual look and with the cute additions I think I might have to go get it :)

maddie

April 9, 2012 #

very very pretty. I like your addition of the contrasting cuffs too :)

Pamela

April 9, 2012 #

I think you will have to upgrade your status from beginner for certain! You have made a dressy dress ( normally) your very own , w/ modifications that suit you and your lifestyle, which is not really beginning sewing anymore~ b/c you are able to see beyond the basic schematic and visualize YOUR perfect dress complete w/ cute add ons and all~
This is a really sweet summer dress, but could just as easily be made for a LBD in the evening,,,its a great idea when you are in the beginning to develop TNT patterns that you will reach for again and again, in fact I like to take a challenge myself to see how many different types of looks I can stretch out of one pattern~ I think you did a wonderful job and most certainly you do have the ” gift” of seeing the ” bones”
of the pattern,, and making it your own! Cute cute dress! Good sewing to you!

Maria M.

April 9, 2012 #

Wow! I love everything about this dress, especially the sleeves. Thanks for the inspiration.

Janet

April 9, 2012 #

Looks beautiful – you’ve inspired me to buy the pattern… and so the list of things I NEED to make grows… ;)

ellen

April 9, 2012 #

Really lovely – the colour, the dots, the length, the fit and I love the contrasting cuffs. Well done!

Sue

April 9, 2012 #

Thanks for the lovely comments, everyone! I feel so honored to be a featured seamstress. :)

Sarah

April 9, 2012 #

Ooh, wonderful job! I love the extra details you’ve added.

emily

April 9, 2012 #

SO cute! Love the sleeves.

Dixie

April 9, 2012 #

Sue, I love this! The cuffs are just darling and I love it with that red belt!

Amanda

April 10, 2012 #

I love this version of the Peony! Makes me want to start sewing right away.

lsaspacey

April 10, 2012 #

Great dress, the fit is perfect and love the added detail. The cuffs were inspired.

Another sewing blogger in Virginia? Woo Wee! With the other two I know about we might almost have enough to arrange a meet-up. Do you know of any more VA sewists out there?

Ashley at The Feisty Redhead

April 10, 2012 #

I love what you did with the sleeves here! I just made my first Peony, and I plan on making many more. I’m taking inspiration from your sleeves and trying something there, even if it’s just a little trim!

Ginger

April 10, 2012 #

This is so cute! Great job, Sue! I love how wearable and sweet it is!

Laurie

April 11, 2012 #

Stunning, really love the sleeve detail