I have a problem. I can’t stop making the Colette Moneta Dress. Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it a problem since it’s a really good dress and it’s helping me get through my fabric stash. I guess it would be a problem if it was getting boring for y’all and I’m assuming it’s not [yet…].
Feel free to check out my first two Monetas: One Moneta, Two Moneta…
… and now for Three Moneta, Four!
My third Moneta was a total stash bust. I bought about 3 yards of this super stretchy knit from Hancock a year or two back. It reminds me of denim, so I made leggings with it (unblogged). I actually had the same material when I first started sewing 4 years back, but the the first pair of leggings I made with it don’t fit as well. I used a McCall’s pattern and the knees ended up being a little baggy. I found more of this material at Hancock to try again. I used an Etsy tutorial on drafting my own leggings pattern according to my measurements and the second pair came out way better! Leggings don’t take up too much fabric, so I had a good bit left over to make this dress.
The wind kicked up my skirt in this picture, so I look like a balloon. Tucson gets CRAZY windy in the spring, so I often accidentally flash people when I’m out and about. You’d think I would learn to wear shorts underneath by now…
I love this version! I think it works well for a casual-but-not-too-casual date night out, which is where I wore this after these pictures were taken. Also the fact that it stretches as you eat help make it a great date night dress, too!
Of course I had to include the pockets. I’m getting so spoiled now having pockets in almost all of my dresses. I also added 1″ to the length of the torso since I’m kind of a tall gal. The sizing is a small at the top and grades to a medium at the waist.
Can we talk about these shoes for a minute? I bought them years ago at Guess and I absolutely LOVE them. The only problem is they’re a good 5″ high and now with my old lady back I can’t wear these much anymore. But they’re great for a quick photo op!
I was curious to see what it looked like with my obi belt. DD said he likes it better sans belt. I think I agree.
So my fourth Moneta was also a stash bust, but it’s not for me!
My friend had a birthday recently and she commented on how much she liked my third Moneta above. Since it’s a fairly easy and fast make, I told her I could make her one for her birthday. We immediately rifled through my fabric to determine what to use.
The top is a ponte from GirlCharlee.com that I had yet to use. I still have 2 1/2 yards left of this and keep changing my mind as to what to make with it. The bottom is another denim-looking knit that was leftover from some leggings I made for my mom the first year I sewed. Mixing up the fabrics was totally my friend’s idea and I think it’s GENIUS!
I made a size medium “right out of the package.” I didn’t tweak the length of the torso like I did in my last one.
I didn’t quite have enough fabric to cut out the whole skirt part, so it’s tapered in a little. It makes the pockets seem pretty poofy, but she said she doesn’t mind. 🙂
And here she is modeling her Moneta in her chicken coop! Haha, can you tell why we’re friends? Chicken mamas gotta stick together! BAWK BAWK!
I already finished a fifth Moneta and have plans on how the sixth will go, so stayed tuned for those! In the meantime, I think I’ll start working on some non-Moneta projects to change things up a bit around here. 😉
-RED
These look really amazing! Also, quite chic.
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Thank you! 🙂
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Rachel, you found a winner with this one. It looks great on you. You know I’m a fan of sewing up the tried and trues over and over!
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Thanks, Dana! This is a definite T&T for me. I’m amazed at how fast I can sew one now. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think I need to buy more knit fabric so I can make more! I’m left with almost scraps now – so I really need to get started on some tank tops… or make more woven clothes because I have to start busting that stash!
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Great dresses! Must buy this pattern soon, although working with stretch fabric still scares me a little!
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Thank you! I definitely recommend the pattern. It’s pretty simple and I think the only challenge would be gathering the skirt with the elastic but honestly they make even THAT part so easy! I haven’t made many Colette Patterns before, but I find I always learn a new technique from each one. Stretch fabric can be fiddly at times, but it’s SO WORTH IT. You don’t have to worry too much about getting just the right fit like you do for wovens. 🙂
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Right, I’m off to buy the pattern now – wish me luck! *breathes into paper bag*
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Good luck! You’ll do fine and if you get stuck, just holla at me. 🙂 I can’t wait to see your finished dress(es)!
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Thanks! You’ll be the first to know of any problems! 😉
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LOVE the third one! Gorgeous on you too!
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Thanks! I’m glad I originally bought more of that fabric than I needed. 😀
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Fabulous! Nothin’ wrong with using up stash AND getting wearable clothes out of it, right? =) You and your friend look lovely in these Moneta dresses. I love the fabric for #3, and it looks great with those shoes!
And UGH old lady body parts…I, too, have beautiful (read: EXPENSIVE) pairs of vertiginous heels that I just don’t wear anymore because the aches the next day (okay, who am I kidding–same-day aches, too) aren’t worth it. WHEN DID I GET SO OLD?!?!? Thank goodness for the proliferation of cute flats these past couple of years!
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Why thank you, dear Mads. 🙂 I never though I would come to the age where comfort wins over fashion most days, LOL. I started having back/hip pain about 4 years ago, so I have to be careful of my footwear nowadays. I’m glad I can immortalize the stupidly tall high heels on my blog, though. 😉
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Both versions look great on you. I like how the one for your friend is a mix of print and solid, so fun. She looks so happy in it! Haha I’ve seen a few other bloggers post about the many Monetas they’ve made too. Must be a good pattern! So tempting…
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Thank you! I never thought about the Moneta before I saw it on sale back in March. If you’re looking for an instant gratification piece, this is it!
Isn’t it funny how when we first see a pattern that might not “speak” to us, we don’t think much of it, but when the whole sewing blogosphere explodes with cute makes from that pattern, we start to want it? I’m not much of a shirt dress girl, but I had to buy the popular McCall’s shirt dress pattern since I’ve seen a bajillion cute renditions of it. I just may have to make that next. 🙂
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Love the dress! It looks so great on you! I really like the one you made your friend also. I really like how you mixed the fabric up. It looks great!
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I can see why it’s a go-to pattern for you–the bodice has such a great fit and style on you. Combining the two fabrics also gives it a completely different look!
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I love them, especially the denim-looking one 🙂 I’m just getting into monetas too after getting the pattern on sale in March, and this makes me excited about making lots of versions!
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Once you make your first Moneta, a million more shall follow. I’m about to cut out yet another one. Good luck on yours!
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Love seeing this pattern. Yet to make my own tho. SSB https://www.facebook.com/SassySewingBees
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After seeing so many cute Monetas on other blogs, I just had to take the plunge. When you do, you’ll get hooked, so watch out! LOL. 🙂
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