Green Moneta

This is my green Moneta. I've only worn it once since we have had such a warm fall so far, but I’m looking forward to wearing it with boots and tights as the days cool off. When I first saw the collar variations. I thought the tie collar would look great in a forest green. I searched all over for just the right fabric, I went to three different fabric stores and could not find the right thing, but then just as I was about to leave Mill End empty handed I looked up and there it was on some weird high shelf. I had to get someone to come over and help me. And then, the best part of it all was that it was only $7/yd and it was super wide so I only had to buy two yards!

This went together really quick. I made plans to use my mom’s serger one Sunday. I cut it out one evening the week before and then put it together in a few hours on the serger. I am not a serger expert, so mom helped in a few spots. Attaching the collar was a little tricky since you have to do it in the round, but we figured it out.

I made a few pattern adjustments from my previous Moneta, I narrowed the neckline a little bit (had to make sure to change the collar pattern also) and cut about an inch off the bodice. If I did this again I would probably modify the collar pattern so that it is all one piece, not front and back. This is a pretty thick jersey and the seams look pretty bulky.

I got lots of compliments the one day I did wear it to work, it is always fun to see people’s reactions when I tell them I made something that I am wearing. :)

Colette Myrtle

This is my hack of the Colette Myrtle dress. It is a lovely, easy pattern but the fabric I got for it just did not have enough drape and the cowl neckline was not flattering. Instead I gathered the neckline, hacked off a chunk of it and added two small ruffles. I wore the heck out of this dress all summer. It was really lightweight and breathed well.

I have been wanting to take pictures of this dress but haven’t gotten around to it, but then last week my friend posted pictures from her beautiful August wedding and there was this cute one of C and I playing giant jenga. Bingo, dress in the wild. So here you go, not the best picture of the dress ever, but you get the idea, and I get one more un-blogged sewing project off my list.

Two Mabels and a Moneta

Have you tried Colette Patterns new knit patterns Mabel and Moneta? They are wonderful to sew and wear.

I was lucky enough to be a tester for the Mabel skirt and this black one is the one I made to test the pattern. So easy and simple! And super comfortable.

I had some issues with the tension of the double needle I used and the first time I wore it the hem popped. By the time I got around to fixing it I had thrown out all the knit scraps I had and I needed to test the tension before sewing the real thing. So I grabbed a t-shirt I never wear and used that, but then I had a great idea, make a skirt out of t-shirts I never wear!

Its got a polka dot lining!

My husband and I used to be in the same union and between the two of us we had about six union t-shirts. He is no longer in that union and doesn't ever wear the shirts, and I really only need one of them. So I cut them up! And made the longer version with the kick pleat in the back. I wore the skirt to a party with a bunch of activist friends and told them that I had made it out of t-shirts and they thought it would be fun to make political t-shirt skirts where you leave the graphic in place. That would be pretty awesome. A project for another day!

Here is the back with the kick pleat.

The Moneta Dress is amazing. I only have one, but I would like a closet full.

I bought the fabric and the pattern at the book launch party Colette hosted at Modern Domestic. The fabric is an organic cotton bamboo blend and it is absolutely dreamy.

The stripes are a little wonky around the waist. I’d like to take it apart and re-do it so they are a little tidier, but for now it works.

I’ll make a few changes the next time I make it up. the neckline is a little wide, my bra straps often show which is annoying when I want to wear this to work. And the waistline is a little low. I think next time I will chop an inch or two off the bodice so it hits me a little higher. Have you seen all the collar variations you can add to Moneta? I really want to make a three quarter sleeve length with the tie collar for fall. Possibly in a forest green. I think it would be really cute for work with boots.

These are both great patterns, and I can’t wait to show you my take their new pattern, the Myrtle.