Month by month moodboards

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 a big blank canvas is staring you down.

We had a pile of unused cork tiles sitting around. I’d bought them at the office supply with the intention of making a big inspiration board somewhere. But I didn’t have a specific need for them, so they just sat around. All 12 of them.

Caitlin had the idea of sticking them up along the hall and making monthly inspiration boards. Brilliant!

I labeled each board with a piece of washi tape and a sharpie. Then I went through old magazines, printed out photos I hoarded, wrote notes, and pinned up swatches and trims.

They’ve already been incredibly helpful for keeping my inspiration organized. If I come up with a new project idea that I’m not ready to pursue yet, say a summer dress idea, I simply stick it up on the board for a future month. I can add to them and rearrange things as the months get closer.

I think this would work equally well for a home sewing or craft room. You could lay out your cork in a grid, or in a row like this over your sewing table. It’s almost like a calendar of inspiration.