A Double Hacked Colette Laurel

What really made the Laurel catch my eye was Sarai’s “Mod-ified” hack which adds the pockets and hip seam. Because duh…. Throw pockets on something and I’m bound to make it at some point. I also seem to have trouble not wanting to hack the back out of everything (literally), so with this Laurel I didn’t resist that temptation. I guess you could say that makes it a double hacked Laurel then!

I mostly followed Sarai’s tutorial to add the hip seam and pockets. The only difference is I made the pocket pieces all in one with the dress pieces instead of cutting them separately. I also kept the original Laurel neckline instead of doing the split neck and center seem as in the Mod-ified version. For the back, I think I will have to do a separate post that goes into full detail on how I cut the pattern pieces. But basically I made a seam along the outer dart legs for the side back pieces and followed the inner dart legs for the center back piece. I measured the distance for the shoulder strap (though I ended up having to make it shorter), which I sewed into the back facings that I drafted.

As far as fit alterations go, I cut the pattern in a size 0. The opening in the back was doing some serious gaping, which would’ve provided anyone standing behind me in a line a direct view to  my skivvies. It was also generally too loose around the hips, so I just took it in at the side seams from the under arm down into the hip area and back to normal at the hemline.

Fabric is another score that I got from one of my internships in NYC. It has a slight stretch to it and a beautiful woven texture. If I would’ve had more yardage this fabric would be lovely for full pleated skirt. It’s really difficult to photograph but I absolutely love the fabric details and the way the simple shape of the dress lets it shine.

It’s gotten a little too hot to wear this dress during the day. As the cooler months are upon us however, this will definitely be getting a lot of wear as it’s both comfortable and polished.

Pattern: Colette Laurel with Modified Hack
Fabric: Textured white stretch woven
Notions: None! Another great thing about this hack (and this fabric) – no zippers!
Difficulty: A little tricky – again, I hope to post a tutorial of my pattern changes soon, but this ones more of an intermediate project.
Adjustments: Hacked the back, took in side seams at hips.
Finishes: Serged seams (in contrast thread because I was too lazy to change my serger thread), bias finished front neck, facings on back openings.
Sew it again? Yes! I love this dress. I think I could get away with doing this in a non-stretch woven and still no zipper. I’m debating making a sleeveless version but I kind of like the longline sleeves. I think it could look really fun with the bottom piece color blocked.

Let me know what you think in the comments!
Happy Sewing!

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