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This week at Colette Patterns
Caitlin has a remarkable ability to match the flowers she brings in. I didn’t even notice how well she coordinated with her bouquet until I posted these.
I am so happy to be back in the studio this week, plugging away on the next batch of patterns, working on some new tutorials, and finally (!) finishing this jacket.
Pretty cool. Even though I’ve been working hard this week, I still feel quite refreshed. I’ve been seeking out little ways to simplify and let go of things lately. Do you ever just step back sometimes and realize how tightly you’ve been grasping and joylessly you’ve been striving? Sometimes I have to laugh at how tight I get wound up about things that are really not that vital.
To quote the amazing Angela Carter: “Nothing is a matter of life and death except life and death.”
Also, since I know you guys are interested in comfortable shoes, I recently got a pair of these Sven clogs on sale and they are AMAZING. Really light and comfy, so I highly recommend them. I believe they mostly do made-to-order shoes; you send them a tracing of your feet and the style and color and they build them with the right base size.
In other news, we have some new help coming to the blog! I’m sure most of you know the gorgeous and talented Casey from her popular blog. Casey is helping us pick out our weekly link roundups, and she’ll also be showing off some vintage detail inspiration in a weekly guest post. Casey’s one of my favorite bloggers (and a charming, kind, warm-hearted person to boot) so I’m really excited to welcome her.
Here are some fun links she found for us this week:
- Wavy seams plague you when sewing knits? Here’s a helpful hint on how to keep those seams straight.
- Some fantastic tips on underlining sheer fabrics.
- An easy and fun statement necklace you can make.
- Organize your fabric stash with this free printable swatch page.
- A clever method of cutting the pattern size you need, without loosing the larger pattern lines.
- I love this simple idea for taking a men’s polo shirt and making a loose woman’s top.
- Handworked thread loops for buttons can be a lovely way to finish a neckline opening.
- Some thoughts on pattern ease and what to consider when picking out what size to make.
- Make a few of these sophisticated pleated ribbon trims to add to your next project.
- Heading to the park or beach to enjoy the lovely weather? Make a couple of these oilcloth lunch bags to take a picnic meal!
- Sunni has so many great tutorials and this one will help you decide how to pre launder your pretty new fabric.
- Ever wondered how to choose the best sewing needle for the job? This article makes it all clear.
- Tasia shows you how to easily sew inseam pockets.
- This tutorial shows you how to make a chic and simple foldover clutch with a metal zipper.
- And speaking of zippers, Gertie recently wrote this great tutorial on making a lapped zipper.
Link research help from Casey and Caitlin. Thanks ladies!
ETA: Oops, I didn’t realize Caitlin did a link roundup this week too! I combined the two posts and added her links here!
Comments
Flo
June 1, 2012 #
Nice news ! I am very happy to have more posts by Casey to read …
Apart from that, I don’t want to seem cheeky, but do you have any news about a Hazel Dress tutorial ? I am on the muslin phase (my 1st one …) and I would really appreciate help for the SBA :-)
Cindy
June 1, 2012 #
The bloggers Rhinestones & Telephones, Lucky Lucille and Miss Crayola Creepy are starting a Hazel sew along now.
colleen
June 1, 2012 #
The blog, Rhinestone and Telephones, along with a few other blogs, are starting a Sew-a-long of all the Colette patterns. They are doing Hazel first, so that might be something you want to hook up with!
Flo
June 1, 2012 #
Great ! thank’s for the hint :-)
Sarai
June 1, 2012 #
Good advice from the two comments above! I’m planning to post here about these sewalongs next week, and I’ll be doing some guest posts for them as well.
Lisa G.
June 1, 2012 #
Tightly grasping and joylessly striving – you hit the nail on the head with that one – I had this problem yesterday, so took a “restful” day, but ended up accomplishing plenty anyway! But I enjoyed it.
The pattern folding idea is terrific – thanks for sharing these things with us.
Sarai
June 1, 2012 #
Me too, I’m taking today off and playing in my garden, drinking smoothies, and enjoying the 75 degree high we’re supposed to have today. :)
Annette
June 1, 2012 #
Tightly grasping and joylessly striving. I love this, need to share this with the husband, he does this more than most. BUT aside from that….I’m in love with your dress.
Is it self made, or did you buy it somewhere? You look fabulous in it.
Sarai
June 1, 2012 #
Thanks! I just found it at a thrift/vintage shop, but it appears to have been handmade. I just happened to see it while accompanying Kenn to pick up a book, and it fit me perfectly. I love serendipitous shopping, so much easier that way. :)
Sarah Sic
June 1, 2012 #
Very cute clogs! I drive by Sven’s Clogs a couple of times a month never stopping in to shop because I know I will purchase some. Your metallic pair has convinced me it is time to give in to my temptation!
Sarai
June 1, 2012 #
They are really nice shoes. I’m resisting the urge to pick up another pair, since open toes and wood soles are really only practical for a few months here. But I love that they have so many colors.
Cindy
June 1, 2012 #
I don’t suppose this coat will be one of your new patterns (hint hint)? It’s looking so cute!
Sarai
June 1, 2012 #
Maybe. :) But not for a while.
Caroline
June 5, 2012 #
I love that beige jacket if that is the pattern you are referring to, very chic and Mod at the same time. Hope it makes it to pattern-hood.
Marie
June 1, 2012 #
Yay for Casey joining forces with Coletterie…what a great partnership! I expect even more wonderful things to come our way…lucky readers eh! And thanks so much for linking to my pattern folding post!
Rebecca
June 1, 2012 #
It is great to find fit shoes. Since I have started sewing and making clothes that fit my body perfectly I have wanted to do the same with shoes. I have one foot that is a whole size bigger than the other and it makes it hard to wear certain types of shoes. This may possibly help if they can do it individually. Thanks for posting about them.
Dawn B
June 1, 2012 #
Thanks for the great links. Many of these posts are kinda timely for issues I was having as I start my next project. I can’t wait to check them out. Also, Yeah for Casey guess posting. I love reading her blog, and now can’t wait for the new guess posts.
Pamela
June 1, 2012 #
WoW! I love the combination of orange and blue! Please don’t tell me you are picking this from your gardens *NOW* while we are just putting In our gardens here in the North??
I will have to sew up an orange scarf to go with a very blue twin set I have and perhaps its time for a new blouse,,,,in blue , but I have to be careful w/ the orange b/c it is trendy now and I generally invest in accessories for the trendy colors~ I LOVE FLOWERS from my own garden ~ you are in the Pacific NW~ yes??, Can’t wait to have them all over my home also,~ Right now ,Iris and Peony’s open and this is VERY early for my area!
Victoria
June 1, 2012 #
I adore your blouse Caitlin! It would be lovely to make that pattern part of your next release:)
Katya
June 1, 2012 #
I second the motion that the jacket should be a future pattern, it is so stinking cute! I just picked up some lovely Pendleton wool to make a Lady Grey and I have a feeling I’m going to be on a tailoring kick for some time. Jackets and blazers are my absolute favorite clothing pieces.
Valentina
August 12, 2012 #
PLEASE make that jacket a pattern I’m in love with it !! ;-D xxxx