Chartreuse is one of those colours that scares people. It’s slightly acidic looking but I find it so vibrant and exciting.
Fun fact!! The colour actually comes from the alcoholic drinks. Green Chartreuse gets its color from chlorophyll, whereas Yellow Chartreuse gets its pigment from saffron. Both colors are naturally occurring. The two shades then worked their way into fashion, art and design. Read this amazing post about the bonkers history of the “elixir of life”.
It was big in 1937, and again in the sixties. And it was a favorite of midcentury-modern trendsetters! Another reason I love it.
The amazing pattern is M7974, a real highlight from the McCall’s 2019 collection. I wanted a opaque but floaty crepe to ensure I could wear it without a slip.
Then I saw this Joanie dress… and knew I had the perfect fabric.
This fabric is a polyester crepe from the now closed Samantha Clarridge Sewing Studio. It was in the sale so I bought 2m. Then a few months later I panic bought another metre when I decided to remake the sleeves.
The colour is joyous in this design. It shows all the gorgeous seamlines, and feels elegant but bold. The tie sleeves I made first time around were stunning but looked terrible under cardigans. And that’s a deal breaker for me. Cardigans are life!!
The pattern is a little low cut which is more sexy than I normally go for but I decided not to raise or overlap the neckline on my first version.
One change was to enclose the shoulder yoke seams on the front by machine by turning the yoke facing RST with the front and sewing over the previous row of stitching before the sleeve was attached. And neat finishing the back yoke by machine using the burrito method for a clean finish.
I started this dress when I was almost 2stone lighter and cut a size 12 bust, size 14 waist and hips. When I returned to it after a year’s break (first waiting for the extra fabric, then I mislaid it in a moving box for 6months) I had to let it out a lot… like we’re talking 7mm seams. Thankfully I got away with it.
There was the perfect card of vintage buttons in my stash and my seashell mother of pearl earrings, that I got on honeymoon, complete the look.
I wore this to the New Craft House Spring Fling party as this zesty colour = freshness and Spring to me. And it came on my summer holiday to California with me too as a nice dinner dress for hot nights out.
Now I need to wear it for Christmas with a white fluffy cardigan, red lipstick and twinkly jewellery next I think.
Your dress looks gorgeous. It is beautifully made – and what a stunning colour!
Loving the bright colour of this dress. The photo doesn’t really do it justice after seeing it first hand. Well done!