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Sunday 8 September 2013

Rooibos like a BOSS

Julia Bobbin Rooibos dress by Colette Patterns

It felt for a while there that I was the only person in the blogosphere who hadn't sewn the 'Rooibos' pattern by Colette Patterns.
It had been in my stash since I was basically a foetus, but I just kept putting it to the side. Every time I'd go to pull it out all I would hear is 'These aren't the droids you're looking for'. My stash is a Jedi apparently.

Julia Bobbin Rooibos dress by Colette PatternsJulia Bobbin Rooibos dress by Colette Patterns

Now that I've made it I can't believe that I waited so long; I love it!

Julia Bobbin Rooibos dress by Colette Patterns

I love how flattering this dress is. It's a great transition dress for me as I slooooowly creep back to my old size before I got pregnant.

Julia Bobbin Rooibos dress by Colette Patterns

It has a flirty, feminine shape that doesn't flash too much fleshola. I dare you to say that sentence 10 times fast. Go on ... I'll wait.

Julia Bobbin Rooibos dress by Colette Patterns

I used navy and white cotton drill for my dress with red and white striped piping. I was inspired by the original Rooiboss dress on the Colette site with the white piping. I like how the red and white stripe makes it a tad more nautical!

Julia Bobbin Rooibos dress by Colette Patterns

I tried out a few new swear words trying to get the piping to sit right around the sharp corners of the collar. In the end I just made the corners curved and it worked. Yay! You can of course make the pattern without piping and then there's no problems. I do love though how the piping really adds to the playfulness of the dress.

Julia Bobbin Rooibos dress by Colette Patterns

The dress has a raised waistline which hugs the body. It has a beautiful curved back neckline and gorgeous flattering pockets that sit on a gored skirt.

Julia Bobbin Rooibos dress by Colette Patterns

The only change I made to this dress was to do a (massive) full bust adjustment (FBA) which in my case could be called a full breastfeeding adjustment. The irony is I can't really wear this dress until I stop breastfeeding as there's no real access to the bobby-ta-tas.

Julia Bobbin Rooibos dress by Colette Patterns

I styled the dress with a red belt to break up the solid colour, a cute vintage brooch and some fabulous Melissa shoes

If you're curious about how I did my hair, I was inspired by this mini tutorial on one of my Pinterest boards.

Julia Bobbin Rooibos dress by Colette Patterns

So what do you think?
Have you got a pattern you put off making and then fell in love with once you finally made it? I'd love to hear about it!

53 comments:

  1. This dress looks so fresh with the red and white piping, I love it! And the piping is much more delicate than bias tape would be. How cute is your small human?!

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    1. Thank you! Yes we think he's pretty cute too :)

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  2. Gorgeous, love the vintage vibe. LOVE!!! https://www.facebook.com/SassySewingBees

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  3. Wow such a gorgeous dress and the details is beautiful. You look stunning! Love the bubby photos too what a cutie! xx

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  4. Very cute:) also loving the new layout ;)

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  5. Yep its amazing! This has also been in my stash for eons. Love the stripey piping :-)

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  6. so, so, so cute! and the dress is great too ;-) baby steals the show! i love the piping. guess it was worth learning a few new words for? hehe... you are looking lovely!

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  7. I've actually been thinking about making the Rooibos for the Fall for Cotton sewalong, but haven't really been feeling it - so thanks for posting this, because it's made me all excited to have a go at the pattern again!

    This is so cute and I love the piping and belt! But the little'un is by far the cutest accessory! :)

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  8. The beautiful and elegant vintage dress, looks beautiful and the baby is a wonderful time it looks gorgeous :)

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  9. Just darling, the striped piping really sets it off. I haven't tried the Rooibos dress myself (but I did just this moment make a pot with Rooibos tea, lol) but seeing versions like your's makes me wanty.

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  10. What a beautiful dress! I also have the pattern staring at me from my bookshelf but I need to get my courage to make it, as it will be my first colette pattern and I am not sure which size to choose. I love the piping also!

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  11. Those shoes are fabulous. Oh, and I like the dress and the bébé too. The piping totally makes it.

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  12. Adorable, both the dress, and baby! I haven't made any Colette patterns, but have wanted to try I have a good size stash of vintage patterns that I really need to tackle first! Great job on the dress. I love the piping, worth the frustration!

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  13. The dress is stunning! Very cute details, and perfect for everyday wear (well, not now for you I suppose!). Harry is adorable!

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  14. Such a cute dress! I love the piping, really adds that little something extra to the dress :)

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  15. Absolutely gorgeous! I love the striped piping. And that double portrait at the bottom is to die for! What a sweetheart!

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  16. Aw, what a cute baby! He has the sweetest smile. I love this dress, especially the red and white piping. It suits you perfectly!

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  17. Simply gorgeous dah'ling! No, now I'M the last person to make the Rooibos! I bought the pattern so long ago that it's in the old, mostly white, packaging. I too have sewing Jedis in my stash that keep mind waving me away from it. I must fix that asap because I LOVE your version. The white and red barber pole piping is uh-mazing. You're flapping awesome!! And one hot mama I might add ;)

    xo

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  18. Ha! One of the reasons I haven't started sewing my garments again is because none of the patterns I want to make allow easy breastfeeding access. I figure that by the time I can wear them again, my size will have changed (since it will be at least 6 months more, hopefully). But I love your version of Rooibos. The piping looks perfect!

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  19. Gorgeous dress -- congratulations! I love it!

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  20. looove the piping!!! it really makes the dress. super cute, super wearable. too bad it's not breastfeeding friendly. oh well, you need a baby-free date so that you can wear your new dress!

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  21. gorgeous dress! i really like that piping and the wee little fold down bit at the front. I've put of sewing lots of things, usually because the were ugly or weren't sitting right, and then that puts a bad taste in my mouth for it completely. the quicker i finish, they more i like it!

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  22. Julia you look stunning as ever in your beautiful dress. I love the navy with the piping and the pockets. And your little boy is as cute as a button!

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  23. Julia, this is so darned cute on you! I've had this pattern for ages too and it keeps getting set aside, but I really must make it up soon!

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  24. So this whole post I was admiring your wonderful dress, that lovely fit, the details, and then I'm pretty sure I felt my ovaries vibrate on that last picture. Eep.

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  25. I've *just* started sewing, to the point where I walk around the fabric store totally overwhelmed. what I'm getting at is how great does the cotton drill look? now i now how it can be used :D prob has a lot to do with the seamstress working with it though!

    love it!

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  26. Gorgeous Rooibos! I am in love with the red and white piping. Your baby is the soooo cute:-)

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  27. you look fabulous and your little one is just adorable :-)

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  28. He is delightful. And the dress is fun and flirty. It's a great look on you

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  29. You know what I think - hawwwt! I've got Rooibos and haven't made it either. I want navy and red too - the striped piping is a gorgeous touch.

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  30. So elegantly lovely! Navy and Red and a hint of the sea are such a wonderful combination. You and bub are looking great!!

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  31. Ahhhh! This looks AMAZING! I love it on you! This was the pattern that got me into sewing-- I found it on a blog somewhere, and was hooked! Sadly, I gave it away a few months ago when I realized that I don't have the curves to rock it like a mad vixen. I love the fabric you've used and the way you've styled it. And little man is looking ADORABLE! What a face!

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  32. You look amazing in your dress! :) I love the red and white piping, well, basically everything about your dress! I think I'm one of the few people who have yet sewn this dress. The sad part is, it's in my stash, and I've always put it aside for other patterns. I must get on it after seeing your amazing Rooibos. Your baby is adorable! Such a cutie pie!

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  33. Your dress is gorgeous! I LOVE the red and white piping. This pattern has been in my stash since last Christmas, I have the main fabric, and the piping, but just can't decide on the contrast colour for the collar - and then something newer and shinier comes along, you know how it goes! Funnily enough, I've been thinking about it for a week or two, so your fabby version has kicked mine up the queue!

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  34. Pretty! Love the little accent bow/flipped neckline. Really cute!

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  35. I'm thinking that the Rooibos likes to just wait - I have also had this pattern for ages and ages but it just keeps getting pushed down the list! I am determine that it will make it to my sewing table very very soon. I love your dress, the red and white piping is lovely. Great photos.

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  36. Such a gorgeous version of this dress - I don't have this one but I do have the Parfait, the Macaron and the Crepe, yet to be cut out or made!
    I have always admired the Rooibos, but perhaps will hold off buying it until I make some of my other unmade patterns!!
    BTW love your bobby-ta-tas comment, made me giggle :)

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  37. So pretty! I love the colour and the accent piping.

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  38. Great Rooibos! I made one a few years back and googled up others for inspiration and I was like, there's SO MANY! I have a couple of Colette dresses I'm yet to sew too. I'm always so behind the times with patterns!

    And yup, FBA is a BFing adjustment for me too! So hard to sew dresses and not wear them!

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  39. I can't even look at the dress when you show a picture of such a cute baby!
    Ok, now that I've seen the dress, it looks amazing, like always! I'm glad you're back.

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  40. I have that pattern too! Your version is making me want to start sewing it asap!

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  41. I am a sucker for anything nautical so needless to say I'm in love. I've never really been a massive fan of this pattern but your dress has certainly changed my mind. It's gorgeous!

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  42. Your dress is amazing and your baby is adorable! I love the colors you chose- they're really perfect together, I have this pattern too but so far it has sat unmade. I might have to try this one out very soon!

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  43. It's so cute! That piping is so perfect. Totally worth the bit of headache to get it to lay right on the collar.

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  44. I haven't made this pattern! So that makes 2 of us, well, I guess only 1 since you just made it :)

    I put off making garments from the Japanese sewing books and I'm so mad I did because they fit me so well. I'm currently on my 3rd one!

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  45. Oh, you done good Julia! Honestly...you had me at blue with red and white {oh look, I'm wearing it now}...but everything about this dress squeals cute and fresh and flirty. I love it and you look adorable!

    Buckets of luck with Project Sewn! I'm looking forward to watching.

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  46. I just love the retro vibe of your new frock. The striped piping is inspired.

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  47. THe Rooibos was one of the first independent pattern company patterns I bought, over 18 months ago and I have yet to make it. In fact, I completely forgot I had it! *heads off to stash to move the Rooibos up the queue...*

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  48. Super cute frock - you look great and your little one is adorable. I'm afraid to look in my pattern stash because I haven't actually made about 80% of them......

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  49. Look at those smiles! WUV EM!

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  50. I can't get over how your son is just smiling into the camera. Such a natural!

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  51. Ha! I just put my baby to bed in the same wondersuit! I love your fabric choice for your dress - just gorgeous. And can totally sympathise with the full breastfeeding adjustment. I miss sewing fitted clothes and dresses for myself but I too have a 'not the droids' moment every time I think about sewing those sorts of things.

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