A few weeks back Girl Charlee UK got in touch to see if I would like to review some of their fabric. Specialising in knit fabric, they already have a substantial market in the USA and have just opened an online shop in the UK.
As my online knit purchases have been a bit hit and miss I was interested to give them a try. The first difficulty was choosing which fabric, they have some really cute prints in their wildlife collection as well as their modern air collection. I finally decided to step out of my (floral) comfort zone and go for the navy quatrefoil which is a Moroccan inspired graphic print (I know, it’s blue again but baby steps!)
The next quandary was what to make. After much deliberation I decided it would be a good opportunity to finally try the Colette Moneta.
The fabric is a mid-weight poly/cotton mix jersey. It’s quite stable with a minimum amount of stretch. At some point most of my handmade garments get mixed into the main wash so in the interests of science I put it through its paces with a full 40 degree wash. It was only after looking up the link for this post that I noticed the website advises a cold wash with mild detergent! Thankfully it emerged perfectly, no colour run and it didn’t even need ironing.
Going by my measurements I cut a large and made no alterations to the pattern. It was quick and easy to put together, the fabric was lovely to sew with and pressed well.
I’m completely smitten with the finished dress, the neckline is perfect for me and the gathers are gentle enough not to add bulk around the middle and as an added bonus it has pockets!
(Another photobombing cat)
(Being a little teapot)
I don’t know why I didn’t make it sooner, especially considering all the love it’s had on the blogosphere since its release. I’ve now got a whole army of Monetas lined up to see me through the colder months (then possibly some short sleeved ones to take me through Spring!)
Now for the good part –a giveaway!
Girl Charlie UK are offering one lucky winner two metres of their fabric. The giveaway is open throughout Europe (sorry to sewing peeps on distant continents)
They are also offering 10% off all purchases, just enter JUSTSEW at the checkout.
The giveaway and discount are open until midnight on Sunday 8th November.
To enter just leave a comment below, including your email if it’s not linked to your profile.
Good Luck!
I received this fabric for review but all views are my own.
Just Sew Therapeutic 
This is just beautiful and very timely for me as I’ve been thinking of the Moneta lately. I also have only sewed one knit item which wasn’t that great (blame cheap fabric) but I want to give knits a try again. Will have to check into that knit. (Sadly I am not in Europe so no chance of winning.)
Oh my! I am sooooo in love with your moneta! I cut my first one out nearky a year ago and it remains unfinished! I think if i won the fabric u would totally copy you and make exactly the same dress!!
It’s lovely! The style looks really flattering on you. I love sewing jersey but I’ve never made a jersey dress so would love to have a go. Ive just bought the new Colette Wren dress pattern, now just need fabric and courage!! 😀
Lovely! And the perfect dress if it doesn’t involve any ironing 🙂 Been thinking of trying something from Girl Charlie, so too good not to enter 🙂 My email is teresadavey@live.com
Gorgeous dress, been thinking about making one for a long time, add it to my Christmas list!
I made my first moneta this week and I too see many in my future! Please put me down for the prize draw:)
I absolutely love this! Moneta is probably my favourite pattern and this fabric is just amazing. Just had a look on their website and there is some gorgeous fabrics. Might have to copy you with your choice if you don’t mind😉Xx
I love the Moneta pattern, it’s quite addictive. I too have many versions planned! Your version is lovely 🙂 I’d love to win some girl charlee fabric!
Not sure if my email is linked. mary_lou1 {at} hotmail.com
I actually wrote this fabric off as dress material when browsing their website, clearly I was wrong as it looks fabulous! Would love to win a couple of metres for myself! Rjwoodward357@googlemail.com
Hi, it is a lovely fit on you. The Moneta is one of the very few things I have made in jersey. Please include me in the draw – thanks.
You had me at “giveaway”! Love love your Moneta! You look great in it. Count me in for the draw please.
Glad to hear the fabric survived a normal wash. Those care signs on the website have stopped me ordering anything until now. The moneta looks great on you such a flattering style. Please include me in draw too. Thank you. Perryfamily75(at)gmail(dot)com
Your dress is lovely and an excellent choice of fabric! I’d love to be included in the draw corrineappleby@gmail.com
I have seen that fabric on their website and couldn’t imagine it made up – it just screamed kitchen tiles to me. Your dress is completely different to how I imagined something made it that fabric, it works really well and now I’m smitten! So enter me into the draw exeterrosemaryrb at gmail.com
What a gorgeous dress, I’ve seen people talking about Girl Charles lots and always wished we had one in the UK. Count me in for the draw please 🙂
Lovely dress with gorgeous fabric.
Yay for your first Moneta, it looks fab! Moneta and I rund waaaaaay back and have a very loving relationship(as in I am obsessed) and if I had to choose one pattern to sew and wear for the rest of my life, I could easily pick the Moneta. And thank you so much for the opportunity to win. I have kept my eye on Girl Charlee fabrics for a while but have yet to try them. Winning could be an awesome way to try them out. My email is fooniksblog[at]gmail.com
I have been thinking about making a moneta for some time, and seeing it on you I am decided. I think we are similar proportions so it’s always helpful to see what you make!
That’s a lovely dress on you and I really like the fabric you chose to make it.
I have the Moneta pattern here too but didn’t made it yet. Should give it a go finally. 🙂
This dress looks so good on you, Helen! The fit is just perfect! I have a different knit dress pattern that is similar so I sort of wrote off the Moneta. Your dress may have changed my mind!
love the fabric and i know what you mean by its hard to choose what fabric as they are all great! i went for the Fawns on Forest Green from GirlCharlee and here’s my post https://sewsweetsally.wordpress.com/2015/11/01/a-snuggly-jersery-dress-for-me-again-lol/
I am a big Moneta fan – three to date all getting regular wear. I love the graphic fabric as well. Love the stripey ponte on Girl Charlee website so would love to win!
Louise
I have been gawping at the Girl Charlee site for weeks but can’t actually bring myself to buy any purely because I’m trying to save for when I’m teacher training!
That morrocan tile print really suits you 🙂 but then I am a sucker for a geometric print!
Was lovely to see you again on Saturday btw!
Alex x
Right that’s it – must get on with making a Moneta now!
I can never get enough of knits!!
Looks great! I was looking at the green and grey versions but wasn’t sure if it’d look too busy made up as a dress – clearly I was mistaken.
Love this, moneta is my favourite dress to make for me (atm, have a wren dress ready to be made soon)
Your dress looks lovely! I could never really imagine that print as a garment when I saw it in the shop, but you’ve inspired me!
Cararbolkeax@hotmail.co.uk
What a gorgeous Moneta! I’d love to have a go at using some Girl Charlee knit – perhaps this is my chance 🙂
This dress looks great! I bet it’s amazingly comfy too!
What a gorgeous dress. The pattern looks so flattering and it hangs perfectly. Love it!
This looks lovely on you, and although it’s still blue, it does look very different! 🙂
That looks fab!
I have been thinking about Moneya for ages but not tried it yet. I love all GC fabric, and have purchased a few knitfix bags at start of year from their USA site. So glad it’s now in UK, but my bank balance deffinately isn’t haha! Had my eye on the quatrefoil snit afraid of the pattern matching. Great job, thanks for sharing 😃
I love it. I would have been wary of that pattern on my figure but it fits you beautifully. I followed a girl Charlie Instagram link to your blog and now I think I need to follow your blog there is loads of inspiration here. Great work Anna(dot)puddles(at)gmail(dot)com
Great pattern placement. This so works as a moneta dress. choistie at yahoo dot co do uk
Seriously gorgeous!! Well done! I’ve got a list of knit dress patterns waiting for their karma fabric- manouelas@gmail.com
What a gorgeous dress! The scale of the print is perfect for a Moneta. Looking forward to seeing more Monetas. I’ve been eyeing up the plain ponte from Girl Charlee for a Mabel skirt to replace a shop-bought one that is covered in pills.
Your dress is gorgeous, love the pattern!
Just bought Monetta pattern so great to see another review of it. I love sewing knit tops but yet to try a dress. I think the quality of the fabric needs to be good to get a wearable dress, and your dress looks perfect. Please enter me in giveaway.