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  • Featured Seamstress: Lavender

    Name: Lavender Skill Level: Intermediate Pattern: Sorbetto Blog: threadsquare Her post about the pattern: Sunshine-sewn Sorbetto What kind of fabric did you use? I used a quilter’s cotton for both the main fabric and bias binding. Both were found on a whim in my mom’s sewing room, and I thought they’d make a good pair. …

  • Fall Palette Challenge Week 4: Like a shiny copper penny

    Last night, Kenn and I were walking home from dinner and discussing (as husbands and wives often do) what we think each of us will be like in 10 or 20 years. He declared (as husbands often do) that I will be a very elegant lady. When I think about how I’d like to look …

  • Inspirational Details: Bias Bands

    How fun are these bias stripes? You can make your own with this tutorial or use purchased bias tape. Or you could even use a pretty ribbon! For this detail, I sewed the bias strips across the chest before I sewed the front bodice to the rest of the dress. This way I could sew …

  • Featured Seamstress: Erika

    Name: Erika Skill Level: Intermediate Blog: Erika Made It Her post about the skirt: Beignet Skirt What kind of fabric did you use? A cotton poplin from Harts Fabric and a quilting cotton for the lining. How did you decide to reflect your personal style in the pattern? I wanted to make this as a …

  • Fall Palette Challenge Week 3: Chevrons and velvet

    I kept it simple this week: A sorbetto in a loud chevron print, and a pair of clover pants in black velveteen. Two very easy and quick projects. Let me tell you about the disaster that was the first incarnation of this chevron fabric. Oh my. I know we all try to remember that mistakes …

  • Featured Seamstress: Lizz

    Name: Lizz Skill Level: Beginner Pattern: Sorbetto Blog: A Good Wardrobe Her post about the shirt: Another Sorbetto What kind of fabric did you use? Cotton batiste How did you decide to reflect your personal style in the pattern? I love classic pieces with quirky and unique touches. Handmade details have a way of making …

  • Fall Palette Challenge Week 2: Glowing Clover

    Look, it’s Fall! How did that happen? Last weekend, I spent hours canning tomatoes with the air conditioning cranked up, and today there are leaves all over the ground and a chill in the air. I made Clover pants this week and I l.o.v.e. them. Look at that glowing golden mustard color! I think mustard …

  • Featured Seamstress: Lauren

    Name: Lauren Skill Level: Intermediate Pattern: Ceylon Blog: lladybird Her post about the dress: Completed: Colette’s Ceylon Dress What kind of fabric did you use? Lightweight 100% cotton pin dot shirting. How did you decide to reflect your personal style in the pattern? I piped the waistline seams (hips and underbust) and sleeve hems with …

  • Fall Palette Challenge Week 1: Golden floral Lonsdale

    I’m starting off my Fall Palette Challenge with a bang this week. This is my version of the Sewaholic Lonsdale dress. Weeks ago, Tasia and I decided to swap patterns. She recently posted about the gorgeous Chantilly she made, so stop over and take a look! But back to my dress, which I adore: You’ll …

  • Fall Palette Challenge: Your moodboards

    Isn’t making moodboards fun? It’s such a neat experience to look for inspiring images knowing that you’re actually going to do something with them. So many times we get bogged down with inspiration and it leads us nowhere. But with these moodboards we’re all working together to create something unique. I think that’s awesome! Y’all …

  • Featured Seamstress: Meg

    Name: Meg Skill Level: Intermediate Pattern: Sencha Blog: Meg Made This Her Post: Summer Sencha What fabric did you use?The first time I saw this fabric it captivated my attention. On my second trip to the store I just had to have it. It’s a chartreuse silk with a spinach-colored flower design done in a …

  • fall palette challenge: caitlin’s moodboard

    Hi there! How’s your inspiration search going? I’ve put together my mood board for the Fall Palette Challenge using a bunch of images from my Pinterest boards. For this challenge I’m going to keep the number of garments down to four. As much as I’d love to make a bunch of things for myself, I …

  • Fall Palette Challenge: Sarai’s Moodboard

    Here’s the moodboard I put together for my Fall Palette Challenge. Mostly, this moodboard is all about the warm colors that are inspiring me for Fall right now: mustard, pumpkin, black, cream, and hints of red. I’m planning a mix of shapes that I think will transition between late summer and autumn: two pairs of …

  • Fall Palette Challenge 2011!

    At the beginning of the year, we did a Spring Palette Challenge, and it was such a hit that we’re ready to start a new one for Fall! So what is the Fall Palette Challenge? In a nutshell, it’s a 10-week challenge to get you thinking about sewing pieces that work together, coordinate, and work …

  • Featured Seamstress: Eunny

    Name: Eunny Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate Pattern: Macaron Blog: Dispatches from Whitcomb Street Her post about the dress: Colette Macaron What fabric did you use? A wonderful cotton poplin with a woven black and white gingham check. The check is a little larger than your average gingham – about 3/8″ – which I think helps take …

  • Featured Seamstress: Jane

    Name: Jane Skill Level: Intermediate Pattern: Ginger Blog: Handmade Jane Her post about the skirt: The Ginger Super Skirt What kind of fabric did you use? Dark blue denim with a blue polka dot cotton for the inner waistband facing. How did you decide to reflect your personal style in the pattern? I always seem …

  • Featured Seamstress: Tilly

    Name: Tilly Skill Level: Intermediate Pattern: Ceylon Blog: Tilly and the Buttons Her post about the dress: Jasmine Green Tea Dress What kind of fabric did you use? I used a mystery cotton blend with a lovely drape, which I found on a market stall for £1. How did you decide to reflect your personal …

  • Featured Seamstress: Susan

    Name: Susan Skill Level: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate Pattern: Ginger Blog: Knitter’s Delight Her post about the skirt: FO-Ginger What kind of fabric did you use? For this Ginger I used a cotton blend floral jacquard print fabric. How did you decide to reflect your personal style in the pattern? I like classic lines that I can …

  • Gingham twins

    Ever since I made a pair of gingham shorts a month or so ago, Caitlin has lived in fear that we would both come in one day wearing matching pairs. She once almost texted me to tell me not to wear mine, because she was going to wear hers. Well, the dreaded day finally came. …

  • 7 Days of Sorbetto

    Have you guys seen what Mena at The Sew Weekly is doing this week? She’s doing a little feature called “7 days of Sorbetto” in which she makes a new Sorbetto every day for the week. She’s even drafted her own sleeve pattern for download! The version above is called The Summer Sorbetto. Mena is …

  • Featured Seamstress: Amy

    I’m delighted to announce a new blog feature here at Colette Patterns, the Featured Seamstress! As you know, we’re changing things up with the blog and this is just one of the fun new things we’re doing. Every Monday a different seamstress will be highlighted with a little interview with her about her sewing project. …