Colette Pattern Review for Parfait Dress

Have you made the Parfait Dress sewing pattern from Colette Patterns? I realize this is not a new pattern. Colette Patterns started in 2009, and the Parfait Dress was released in that year.

It’s hard to believe that was seven years ago! Despite being one of their first patterns, this really is an awesome pattern. I appreciated all of the illustrations to help you along the way.

The professional drawings leave little doubt about what you should do next. The directions are very clear.

While the gathered and well fitted bodice was most certainly the most time consuming part of this sewing project, in the end it was also most definitely my favorite part of the dress. It accentuates the female figure in a tasteful and beautiful way.

On a side note, I also made the yellow shoes that you see here in the picture from my Ballet Flats Sewing Pattern. I love the idea of having a head to toe handmade wardrobe!

I used a Richloom cotton quilting fabric that I found at Joann’s. Looking back, I would make a different fabric choice next time, maybe voile or lawn. I think a more supple fabric would work better for the gathered bodice. In my opinion, the quilting cotton was just too stiff for this particular bodice. Quilting cotton doesn’t do the dress the justice it deserves.

As far as fit goes, I was amazed how well this fit right out of the box. I really didn’t have to alter much. I made this in a size 12. The only thing I added was a bit of length to the skirt.

There is an option to add pockets. I decided not to this time, maybe next time I will.

I cheated a bit with the buttons. I didn’t add button holes. You really don’t need to unbutton the straps to get into this dress, the zipper is sufficient. I just sewed the buttons on for decoration!! Any time I can get around sewing button holes, I’m all for it…. hehe.

Even though the pattern suggested using an invisible zipper, well…. I just used a standard zipper. Quite honestly, I don’t even own an invisible zipper foot yet. It’s coming, just not today.

Right now the weather is springy, so throwing a shrug over this dress on chilly mornings is enough, but in winter I wouldn’t hesitate to wear a long sleeve shirt under this dress to give it more of a jumper style look.