Just a quick note to let you know that we’re starting up the Myrtle sewalong! This is sure to be another amazing free class taught by Devon. When you join by entering your email, you’ll get each lesson delivered straight to your inbox as they’re published. Devon has taught sewing for years and you’ll see …

Today, I’m going to show you how to install the elastic waistband on Myrtle. Watch the video and follow along with the photo tutorial and you’ll get it. Here’s the short version: The method we’re using here creates a little flap at the waistline, which you can fold over a circle of elastic to create …

If there’s one thing I like best about Myrtle, it’s that it is one of those rare patterns that can be sewn in either knit or a woven fabric. The reason for this is the ease and drapey fit. Myrtle is designed so that shaping comes from the comfortable and stretchy elastic waistband, rather than …

A quick announcement today: we’re going to be starting the Moneta Sewalong soon, so head over now and sign up! It’s a totally free class that you can get delivered right to your inbox. Yes, we’re still in the midst of the Mabel Sewalong right now, but that will be completely finished by Friday, and …

I used to have a manageable stash of vintage patterns. I’d collected them over many years, and only really bought ones that I absolutely loved. I used nearly all of them, and kept them in four small Ikea boxes, labeled by time period. Life was simple. But when people find out you are in the …

Remember this cute little cropped sweater? For our photo shoot, we needed a top to pair with the Mabel skirt. As a knitter, I love the way short sweaters with a deep waistband look. It’s a style that was very popular for knitwear from the 1930s all the way through the 1950s, and is incredibly …

RSS or email subscribers: Can’t see the video? Click through to view it on the web. Version 1 of the Moneta dress features a bodice that is fully lined. If you’ve struggled before with lining sleeveless tops or dresses, we have a little trick to show you today to get a perfectly lined, clean-finished armhole, …

When I first learned to sew, nothing plagued me more than zippers. Lumps, bumps, gaps, and frustration were de rigueur with each zipper I sewed. As a young self-taught seamstress, I simply loathed them. It took a lot of trial and error (and wonky projects) before I mastered that finicky fastener. But times have changed …

Today, we’re bringing you another excerpt from the forthcoming book, The Colette Guide to Sewing Knits. We’re learning how to sew a hem using your standard sewing machine and a twin needle. In the world of ready-to-wear, a coverstitch machine is usually used for creating neat hems with stretch. But you can still create that …

Today, I’m bringing you an excerpt from our forthcoming book, The Colette Guide to Sewing Knits (available April 15). I can’t believe the release is only a week away! Today, we’re going to learn about one of the handiest trims out there, clear elastic. Elastics and knit fabrics go together like peanut butter and jelly. …

Today’s tutorial is brought to you by Bernina, who created this quick video that demonstrates one of my favorite (and often overlooked) features of the home serger: the ability to create fast and easy ruffles. There are several benefits to creating ruffles on a serger instead of gathering by pulling basting stitches: It’s really fast. …

Last week, Melissa of Fehr Trade told us all about fabrics for sewing activewear. This week, she’s back in part 2 to discuss finishing and testing your workout garments. Finishes Contrary to popular belief, you don’t NEED an overlocker (aka serger) to sew exercise gear, but it does make it considerably quicker. If you’ve only …

Recently, I was chatting with fellow blogger Melissa of Fehr Trade about sewing activewear, a subject I’m keenly interested in. Melissa is also a runner and even has her own patterns available for workout gear! Since knits are a huge subject around here lately, I asked Melissa if she’d be willing to give us a …

Introducing Sewalongs.com, our new home just for sewalongs! Everyone loves sewalongs, but over time I’ve found that hosting them on our blog has its problems. I’m sure you’ve found this too. For one thing, unless you pay close attention, it’s easy to get lost, especially when a blog has so much other stuff going on …

It’s almost that time! Are you ready to work on an Albion together? Because this contest and sewalong are going to be different than any we’ve done before. The grand prize for our contest this time is pretty exciting. Bernina USA has generously offer one US winner a Bernina 380 sewing machine, worth over $2000! …

Every year, I try to round up some favorite posts from the blog (see my 2012 roundup last year). For this year, I wanted to simply pull out some of the great tips and tutorials we’ve had on the blog, in case you missed them. January: How to track your wardrobe (+ free template) Readers’ …

We’ve been working with waxed canvas a lot lately. Personally, I love the stuff. Since we live in a rainy climate, it’s a natural way to repel moisture without the ultra-sporty look of a fabric like nylon cordura. It has a beautifully aged look, almost like leather, and has great body for making things like …

Are you guilty of neglecting your sewing machine maintenance duties? I know I am. So I did some research on how to properly care for my machine. Some things should be done everyday, some on a per-project basis, and some annually. Each one is important to keep in mind, because good habits make for happy …

Hello everyone! I believe that it’s just about time that I start coming around more. I am really excited for my first post on Coletterie, and to start sharing a little bit of my day-to-day as Colette Patterns’ Sewing Pattern Developer with you. For my first post, I’ll show you how I quickly mark and …

The longer I sew, the more trinkets I pick up along the way. For the longest time I simply tossed everything (oodles of thread spools, needles, tracing wheels, sheers etc.) into one little sewing box. But then it started taking ages for me to hunt down the tool I needed. I had a vague notion …

Back in August, I saw a partially sewn blanket stitch throw collecting dust on a shelf at the office. Sarai started it last winter, but ran out of steam and set it aside. After examining her work, I was inspired to revive the project. I’ve found it to be a nice task to do when other …