Restyle week: McCalls 6350 vs. Colette Eclair

I started making this dress a few months ago, I began by making McCalls 6350, but couldn't manage to get the bodice to fit correctly, so I used the Eclair bodice. I did it as a strapless dress originally but then the bodice was too big, so added elastic to the back, but it still kept falling down. So I decided to add straps plus I wasn't that happy with my inside finish which meant unpicking everything, so it got stuck on my wadder pile.

To fix it, I unpicked the entire bodice and lining, added straps, did a lot better finish (the first time I just serged everything) by facing the invisible zipper properly and slip stitching the lining down.

Before;



After;






Patterns details: McCalls 6350 for the skirt and Colette Eclair for the bodice

Size: 20 for the skirt and 18 for the bodice.

Material used: Sateen for the main fabric and stretch satin for the lining and piping.

Will you make it again: No I don't think I will. One is enough.

It doesn't look like a massive change from before to after but at least its wearable now, and I do love that fabric!

Colette Eclair 1004

Pattern description:Strapless summer or party dress has a flattering shape which tapers at the waist, and gathered waist ties in a contrasting fabric. This dress is fully lined and has a gathered six-gore skirt with the front panel of the skirt left ungathered for a smooth line. Dress includes side seam pockets and optional boning. Closes with an invisible side zipper.

Size I cut the 18.




I made this dress a couple of months ago, it was a couple of firsts for me - the first Colette pattern I made, first time inserting an invisible zip and the first time I tried inserting boning.



I made a straight 18 and did no pattern adjustments!! I didn't think too much of it at the time, but now I've been sewing longer I've realised how unbelievably rare that is! This is still the best fitting bodice I've made, and I thought the boning would be really uncomfortable but it's not, I mean the dress fits firm but I love how the boning keeps it up and makes it look so smooth, no lumps and bumps.

I used a cotton poplin and a ripstop? poly lining from the Spotlight clearance table.



It has pockets! I had to following the instructions step by step for the zipper and pocket set-up but it works really well


(Sorry for the washed out photos, I've got to find somewhere inside with a plain wall behind me for photos)

I have a lovely thin voile to make another one for summer, I'd like to leave out the boning though and maybe shirr the back on the next one with maybe less gathering in the skirt.