We’re hustling and getting ready for the new pattern release. I thought I’d share a few pictures from the studio with you in the meantime. I’ve been saving old bias tape packaging. I don’t know why, but I guess I’ll do something with it eventually. I bought a bunch of Japanese mooks and magazines at …

This month, we’ve been working on the final push for the new pattern (coming March 19!). I get really, really excited about every pattern that comes out, but I must say that I am just bursting to release this particular one. Since we made the decision to switch to release a single pattern at a …

Just wanted to share a few photos from around the studio this week. I had a rather nasty accident earlier in the week involving an immersion blender because I did NOT read this article in the New York Times about how incredibly dangerous they are. So consider this your PSA. Anyway, I’ve been pretty bummed …

Thought I’d share a few photos of what’s been going on at CPHQ this month, courtesy of my Instagram feed. We’ve been spending a lot of time getting straightened up and organized (as you may have noticed from some of my recent posts), and Kenn even bought us a giant display rack so we can …

This is the sad situation that had grown on my sewing table. A teeny little drawer overflowing with needles, needles, needles. I decided to use some leftover scraps of contact paper from last month’s chalkboard project to do something about it. In addition to the black contact paper, I used a white paint pen, some …

I have a bit of a button problem. We talked a little about hoarding on Monday,and I gotta say that buttons have always been a bit of a weakness in that regard. I find it almost impossible to resist beautiful or unusual buttons, especially vintage ones. All those beautiful carved pieces of bakelite or shimmering …

Our stop in Hong Kong was brief, but I know we’ll be back. It definitely made me want to actually see mainland China as well as explore the city much more. Victoria Peak was every bit as breathtaking as people said, and every bit as crowded. We got a good spot for watching the sun …

Have you ever been to a place so amazing that you can almost physically feel your mind being blown? My first experience of this was moving to New York City when I was barely 18. Coming from a somewhat dreary California suburb, I’d never really experienced the buzzing vivacity of a big city like New …

Going through the blog for this last year to put this together was pretty astonishing. I’m especially impressed by all the fantastic discussions we’ve had here. No drama, no snark, just a lot of very thoughtful ideas and opinions from some really smart and creative people. I want to thank all of you for participating …

This year can be summarized in one word for me: re-centering. Let me back up a bit. The year before this (2011) was a really exciting and challenging time for me. I released my book, which I’d spent almost two years working on. Business was growing, and we were constantly fighting to keep things running …

I’ve adopted this dead simple time-saving method lately, and I must share. First, my set-up: I have a long work table with a sewing machine one one end and my serger on the other. I use a rolling chair to shift between the two as I’m sewing and finishing (that is, if I’m using the …

This month’s habit is one I’d say I am moderately adept at, but so many of you have mentioned it that I thought I’d throw it out there for the month. There’s definitely room for improvement. Do you remove your basting stitches as you sew? Much like clipping threads, it’s one of those little tasks …

I’m in a bit of a frenzy with organizing and decorating the studio lately. I feel like I need a good clean sweep as I close out the year, I guess. One thing I’ve been meaning to do for months is get some kind of whiteboard or chalkboard in here, mostly to keep track of …

[image: cat at Wat Chaimongkol by mookE] As the relentless Winter rain begins to soak into our bones (and our basement), we’re taking the opportunity to go somewhere much warmer. Next month, we’ll be taking a trip first to Hong Kong, then to Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Thailand has long been on my list of …

When you first walk into the Colette Patterns studio, you’re met by a long hallway that opens out into our spacious loft. For months, I considered what to do with all that unused wall space in the hall. Framed photos of our designs? A giant piece of art? What? You know how it is when …

It seems like Fall is lurking just around the corner around here. I’m trying to take advantage of summer while it lasts. Last weekend, we went for an amazing hike up on Mount Hood, where wild huckleberries are currently plentiful. The waterfalls were gorgeous, and I brought my sketchbook to capture some of the incredible …

I just wanted to share a few shots I snapped during our photo shoot this week. I can’t wait to show you the new patterns that we shot (the silver polka dot dress is not one of them, by the way… that’s a Peony). We’re on track to release them in just a few weeks, …

This is a fun time. We’re gearing up for our Fall photo shoot next week. Caitlin’s made all the samples and has been running around picking up accessories, like the cute red peep toes above. I must admit, I feel a little sad for the model. We’ve got Fall clothes for her to wear, we’re …

Sometimes Caitlin and I will get to work and find we match each other. Both of us have an affinity for gingham, navy, stripes, and chambray, which can lead to some embarassingly matchy-matchy days. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen Caitlin match the project she was sewing quite this well. I’m excited to say …

Summer is always a surprisingly hectic time of year. All I want to do is go outside and enjoy the sun, but there is so much to do in order to get ready for Fall. We’ve sent two new patterns off to print and now we’re working on the photo shoot. Or, I should say …

The highlight of my week was definitely a visit from Tasia of Sewaholic Patterns. Tasia was passing through town and stopped by the studio for a visit. We had coffee and a nice long chat. Needless to say, we have a lot in common to talk about and she is just the nicest person. I …