Collette Moneta in Teal

Hubby and I out for Sunday Lunch. Photo by Ethan Hatchett

It is honestly the hardest thing ever to look at a blog post with a picture of yourself on it.  At least it is for me.  I imagine that I will grow accustomed to how I look (even if I am less than thrilled about some things), but that will take a little time.  There is around a decade with no pictures of me, so I guess it’s time to be kind to myself and just be accepting.  The growing new wardrobe will help.

This time, Mom and I took a cue from the adorable Moneta dresses that were blogged about by the Curvy Sewing Collective.  I have enjoyed everything these ladies have made and it is a particular joy of mine seeing clothes on people that look and are actually real people, not airbrushed willow-y models who aren’t really like the final photo anyway.  My figure is probably the closest to that of Tanya of the Mrs. Hughes blog, but all of the ladies are inspirational!

I love cotton knits in the summer because they are so cool and comfortable.  No wrinkles and ease of movement are nice, too!  This is my Collette Moneta.  I think it may be the first of

Teal Knit Dress (Moneta by Collette). Photo by Eddie Hatchett.

many, but I am still wondering if a seam right around my ample middle is a good idea.  The fabric came from JoAnn’s.  It is a tone on tone teal with lighter teal design on it.  It is kind of subtle, so it doesn’t show up well in the photos.

I am only 5 feet 2 inches tall, on a good day with shoes and fluffy hair, so I was shocked that the hem on this dress only barely covered my knees!  I thought it would be longer on me.  It is modest and fine, but I have to be mindful of breezes and bending down to pick things up.  I usually go with a bit longer hem for security, but this does look nice for church.  However, it isn’t terribly practical for around the house.

The best part of this dress is the pockets!  Mom always warned me that pockets will add a bit of bulk and make me look wider.  Maybe if I was tiny that would bother me, but since I am already curvy, why not?  They are so handy to have and make the dress far more wearable to me.

As for the downsides, the neckline is so wide, I have to pin the neckline to the bra straps to keep the bodice from showing off my underwear.  I am finding that lots of necklines are like that on me.  But, oddly, the shoulder seams are spot on.  So, are all the other ladies wearing their brassiere straps on the very outside of their shoulders?  Or is there a trick I need to know about for keeping the straps out of sight and the neckline from shifting around?

I hate to admit it, but I am still getting used to wearing garments that are fitted, so everything feels a bit too form fitting on me, although I am very careful not to wear items that are too tight or binding.  As my Mama says, “just because you can get in it, doesn’t mean that you have any business wearing it.”  Every trip to Wal-Mart reinforces that saying for me.

Have YOU made a Moneta dress?  How do you like it?

Till next time,

Advertisement