Colette Myrtle Pattern Review

By August 01, 2014 , ,


Colette Myrtle(1)

Pattern Sewn: Colette Myrtle Knit Dress with available woven version.

Colette Digital Pattern Tip:

If you purchased the digital pattern and only want to print sizes  S-XL these are the pages you have to print: copy and paste this into Adobe Reader and you won't print the 2XL or 3XL split off pages:
4-8,11-14,18-21,24-29,31-34,37-47,50-60,62-63

I also printed the instruction packet so it was 2-pages-in-one using my printer settings, everything was still readable and it saved me some flipping.

Pattern Review: (View on PatternReview.com here)

Pattern Description: Simple knit dress with cowlneck and elastic waist perfect for summer.
Pattern Sizing: Up to 2x. I cut an XL, the pattern measurements matched my current street sizing.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Very much so. I cut the longer length without the shoulder tabs.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
This was my first Collette pattern and I totally see why they are so loved. Great diagrams and clever construction. The elastic casing for the waist is a little tricky to visualize, but Colette posted a video which really helped me.  Rather than trying to stretch the waistband while sewing it to get the fabric flat though I just gathered the excess to the already sewn area, much easier than trying to stretch and sew it.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the self lining bodice and the elastic casing. The A-Line of the skirt is great too, just enough flair but without bulk. Oh and the pockets... Love some pockets! I'll probably make this pattern into separates once I have a dress in every color.
Fabric Used:  ITY Knit from Fabric Mart (No longer available)
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I cut the neckline against the 'stretchier' grain of my ITY. This made this fall off my shoulders a bit. I think it was a combo of stretchy grain, and that my shoulders are probably a little more narrow than a true XL. Since I have a busy knit, I stuck a 3" x 5" dart in the middle of the neck line and it works perfectly, the pattern hides it fine. In my next Myrtle I'll cut the neck on the less stretchy grain and will also alter the pattern to reduce the width.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I can't wait to sew a few more of these, they will be great for work. Now that I've made my first the rest will come together very quickly.
Conclusion: 
Love this fun quick dress in a flattering cut.


Completed Dress Photos of the Construction



(Note these photos are from before I added the neck dart.)

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The completed shoulder seam, this was easier than it seemed to be on paper, lined up nicely for me.

Some Photos from while Sewing


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Finally made some pattern weights, they were helpful.


Since I don't have a coverstitch I serged the edge (above), then I double needle hemmed the openings (below). It worked out pretty well on my new machine.

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The completed bodice.

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I double needle hemmed the bottom edge to, I have so much space on this machine I stored my pin collector in the arm!

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Here's the dart on the right side.
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Full width of this dart is 3" x 5" inches. I basted to first before committing and recommend you do the same if you end up needing one.

Myrtle-Neck-Dart (2)

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