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Introducing: Violet and Ginger!

Looking for some lovely classics to add to your summer wardrobe? A go-to pattern you can make again and again in different ways? Something simple to sew, with great instructions? Welcome the two newest additions to Colette Patterns: the Violet blouse, and the Ginger skirt!

These patterns were largely inspired by you, our friends and customers. You guys told us over and over that you wanted more separates, particularly blouses. So we decided to round out our collection with some cute basics that are fun to put together, suitable even for beginners, and have endless possibilities for variation.

Violet is a lovely blouse with a loose and easy fit. The lack of waist darts not only gives it swingy 60s style, but makes it very easy to add embellishments like tucks or insertions. In fact, Rachel will be giving us a few tutorials soon with some great ideas for modifying the pattern. You can make Violet with short sleeves or full gathered sleeves with elastic. I have tons of pretty cotton lawn (including Liberty prints) that are queued up to be made in this pattern!

Ginger is a simply shaped a-line skirt with three different waistband variations: a straight waistband, a pointed waistband, and a heart-shaped waistband. Not only that, but version 3 is cut on the bias, allowing you to use stripes for a cool chevron effect.

What I’m most proud of with these two patterns is the instructions. I wanted to make some new patterns for beginners that would really take the guesswork out of sewing. The instructions are explicit and filled with helpful tips and definitions. There are even links to tutorials here at the blog if you need further instruction.

I hope you enjoy these… and if you’d like to buy them locally, stay tuned. I’m going to post a list of our beloved retailers who should have this pattern in stock now, or very shortly. Or of course you can buy it in our shop!

Photography: Anja of Clever Nettle
Model: Brandi Herrera
Styling: Sarai Mitnick, Caitlin Clark, Rachel Rector

Sarai Mitnick

Founder

Sarai started Colette back in 2009. She believes the primary role of a business should be to help people. She loves good books, sewing with wool, her charming cats, working in her garden, and eating salsa.

Comments

Lauren

April 21, 2011 #

oh wow, i love these – they are both beautiful!

Gayle

April 21, 2011 #

That skirt is just beautiful! Now I need payday so I don’t have to feel bad about buying another a-line skirt pattern!

Suzy

April 21, 2011 #

Gorgeous!! I’m loving them!

Michelle

April 21, 2011 #

I love these both! I also swore that I wouldn’t buy another A-line skirt pattern, but I love the waist on this. The blouse reminds me of something from Mad Men without looking costume-ish. I’m buying both!

Ashley

April 21, 2011 #

Oh how pretty, I love them both!

Melissa

April 21, 2011 #

It always make my day when a Colette pattern is released-they are so cute!

Emily Rose

April 21, 2011 #

I have been waiting for a blouse like this, ever since you made yours for the spring challenge! Is it already in stores? I am running up to Bolt TODAY to get it! It is so pretty. Thank you for the wonderful patterns!

lsaspacey

April 21, 2011 #

Yay, new patterns! However, th first thing I noticed is how much the model looks like you, is she a relative?

Sarai

April 21, 2011 #

No, but I’m flattered you think so! :)

Nicole

April 21, 2011 #

I thought the same thing when I saw the pictures!

Krystle

April 21, 2011 #

Oh, so happy about these patterns!!!! :)

Toria

April 21, 2011 #

Oh, they’re LOVELY! I shall be saving up for those in next month’s pay cheque for sure. Thank you for more loveliness

Amanda

April 21, 2011 #

I’m in love with that white blouse and chevron skirt combo! Reminds me of something I’d see in J. Crew or Anthropologie. And the waistband variations are adorable!

Emma

April 21, 2011 #

Yaaaay! It’s like you read my mind! These may be some of my favourite patterns yet. Already bought the blouse pattern and the skirt is on my to-buy list! Thanks for two more wonderful designs, Sarai!

Leah

April 21, 2011 #

Oh I love it! Love them! Love love love! Thank you!

Natasha

April 21, 2011 #

What a pretty blouse!

Cory Ellen

April 21, 2011 #

I love all three waistband treatments of the skirt. It’s definitely going on my to-buy list!

jaime

April 21, 2011 #

They are ordered! Adorable.

Patricia Austin

April 21, 2011 #

AWESOME!!!! I have been anxiously awaiting for the blouse pattern! Thanks so much!!!

Ginger

April 21, 2011 #

Yeah! I’ve been waiting for the blouse pattern. And you named the skirt after me. LOL

ladykatza

April 21, 2011 #

Love LOVE LOVE the skirt. So awesome.

Christine

April 21, 2011 #

gorgeous! i need the peter pan top with the yellow chevron skirt outfit! so adorable!

Hillary

April 21, 2011 #

I really love both patterns, and oh! that gold stripe on the Ginger- the absolute perfect fabric for it, just gorgeous! (I have been on the lookout for good stripes- one of those things you always see when you don’t have a pattern in mind, but can’t find when you do!)

I think it’s wonderful that you are really reaching out to novice sewers, too. What beautiful pieces to learn on!

Sarai

April 22, 2011 #

Thanks Hillary! I’m enjoying the challenge to designing for easier sewing, and also designing things that can be instructive. It’s really fun.

Shelly

April 21, 2011 #

Of course I love them all! Mom is finishing up the Sencha blouse for me and I’m finishing the Crepe dress. They will be my Quilt Market outfits for the booth! A weekend of wearing colette!
Now just design me some pants too!

Sarai

April 22, 2011 #

Your wish is my command!

Caroline

April 21, 2011 #

Aaagh, I have so many of your patterns on my wishlist….Hrm with my birthday around the corner, maybe some of my friends will help me out! Keep up the good work folks of Colette Patterns! You are a breath of fresh air in weird or lazy era of fashion where sweatpants are apparently appropriate for all occasions and everywhere.

angie.a

April 22, 2011 #

Yay! Already ordered. :D Love both of them, but I’ve been wanting a simple blouse and this looks to fit my wishes perfectly.

Charley

April 22, 2011 #

You are the cutest thing!

a.b.

April 22, 2011 #

I have a question– how does the skirt look without the shirts tucked in? I am so unlikely to tuck a shirt in (my proportions just don’t look great like that). It would hide the beauty of that waistband, but would it ruin the skirt over-all?

Sarai

April 22, 2011 #

Well, it’s a pretty simple shape, and I think would look fine without something tucked in! You could just make the straight waistband version… maybe even add some trim or detail at the hem for visual interest?

A-line skirts are a very flattering and versatile shape!

Karen

April 22, 2011 #

More loveliness from Colette! Beautiful patterns.

I would be very interested in the fabrics used in photos. Crepe de chine in silk? Cotton? Also, if you could divulge your fabric sources, it would be helpful. Especially for that stripe.

Thank you!

Sarai

April 22, 2011 #

Maybe I should do a separate post? But the yellow blouse is silk crepe de chine, and the white is cotton swiss dot. The yellow striped skirt is a lightweight silk taffeta, the bright blue one is cotton pique, and the coral pink is another light silk taffeta.

As for sources, most of these came from Mill End, a local shop here in Portland that sells many designer and factory ends (as the name suggests). But the yellow silk crepe de chine and the blue pique both came from Denver Fabrics, albeit a while ago!

fangaroni

April 22, 2011 #

These are beautiful patterns, excellent job creating them! Can I offer a suggestion for the future though, in the past patterns there was always a regular photo where the arms were at the side, so I could see the outfit, but for the skirt patterns there is no full-length shot, there is always something covering the skirt.

Sarai

April 22, 2011 #

Good suggestion. I have been thinking about photographing each pattern on a dress form, and adding that to the model shots as well, so you can see it on a person as well as a very simple shot without distraction or obstruction.

brittan

April 22, 2011 #

Im in LOVE. I can’t wait to try that blouse. YUM.

Jennifer

April 22, 2011 #

I love them all, but where is the flower from. I think its a fabric flower.

Sarai

April 22, 2011 #

Glad you asked! Rachel made it, and we’re going to publish a tutorial for making your own very soon!

Crystal

April 22, 2011 #

I really like both patterns. Like others have said, I want that chevron skirt/white blouse combo! Yellow is really speaking to me this year.

Alexandra Mason

April 23, 2011 #

Wonderful patterns! Can’t wait to get mine.

cathe

April 24, 2011 #

I love both of these pattern! They are lovely! Thank you Sarai and team you all are so impressive and inspiring!

Kristy

April 27, 2011 #

I also have one of each in my Craftumi store – an Australian site for fast postage.

http://www.craftumi.com.au/storecatalog.asp?userid=188

Crystal

April 27, 2011 #

I am back because I can’t stop thinking about these pieces. It gets really hot in the summer where I live, and I can just imagine several Cinnamon camisole and Ginger skirt combinations to keep cool and cute through the hot months.

Samantha

May 1, 2011 #

These are beautiful patterns. I am a separates kinda gal and these make me smile. Always on the lookout for a good blouse pattern and Violet looks like a winner. Now, can you design a simple high-waisted trouser pattern? Then I think I would be in heaven….

Congratulations!

Angelina

May 12, 2011 #

I just received the Ginger pattern in the mail and read through the directions. I am a true beginner to sewing clothing, so I want to thank you for writing such concise, easy to understand directions! I do have one question though. I have a medium weight cotton houndstooth that I want to use to make this skirt but I don’t think I’d be able to match the pattern in the center front of the skirt. Is it ok to cut the skirt front piece on the fold, so it’s one piece instead of 2? Sorry if this seems like a stupid question. As I said, I’m a real beginner!

Sarai

May 12, 2011 #

Hi Angelina! There is some shaping in the center front seam (ie, the center front is not a totally straight line), so you wouldn’t be able to cut it on the fold. You’re right that houndstooth is tricky to match up, though not impossible. If you’re worried about it, you might want to save the houndstooth for a skirt with darts rather than a center front seam.

Angelina

May 12, 2011 #

Thank you, ma’am! In that case I think I’ll try it in a solid fabric.

Angelina

May 12, 2011 #

I just had to come back & say that I sewed a muslin and the darn thing actually FIT! I am so excited to go buy fabric tomorrow and make a real skirt! I am stupidly happy about this. I’ve been making quilts for about 2 years now but clothes have always intimidated me. Thanks for making this pattern!

Also, I spy a Louise Brooks photo on the cork board in the photo shoot for these patterns! What an amazing woman she was – it makes me happy to see her here!