Colette Patterns launches with sewing patterns for the indie fashion-lover

Colette Patterns is launching their online shop. We recently saw a sneak peek of their spring line, and now they’re available for purchase. Shown here is a photo of the Macaron dress.

Designer Sarai Mitnick wanted sewing patterns that were made for her, and for the women she knew. An enthusiastic sewer since the age of 16, she felt much of what was available was geared toward an older, more conservative woman. “It could take quite a bit of imagination and alteration to come up with flattering clothing that I was happy with. I sometimes used vintage patterns, but they could be hard to find in the right style and size. I knew other crafty ladies must have the same problem.”

So after 12 years of sewing commercial patterns, she set out to design her own. Colette Patterns’ first collection of sewing patterns includes dresses and skirts inspired by the past, but with modern touches that make them easy to wear. Practical details such as pockets, a large range of sizes, and cuts that flatter a variety of figures set these styles apart. They’re the kind of clothes you could see hanging at your favorite independent boutique.

“I wanted to make something really different, really inspiring, just like all the creative women I know.” The instructions were printed in a beautiful self-enclosed booklet with a stitched binding and watercolor illustrations on the cover. “Each one feels special. I really wanted them to be a pleasure from beginning to end.”

Colette Patterns’ first collection includes four dresses and one skirt, and are printed in modern sizes 0 to 18.

About Colette Patterns: Headquartered in Portland, OR, Colette Patterns offers a line of beautifully crafted sewing patterns for a new generation of sewing enthusiasts. Find out more at Colette Patterns.

[tags]sewing, patterns, Colette, Colette Patterns, Sarai Mitnick, vintage[/tags]

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I’m always tempted by the pretty velvets at the fabric store. So much texture! And the way the fibers catch the light! But sewing on velvet is trickier than you’d think. That nap that lends beautiful texture also likes to slip and crawl. That nap can also spell disaster if you cut a piece the wrong direction. That isn’t to say you shouldn’t use buy that velvet and sew it into something gorgeous, you just need to go into your velvet sewing project prepared. And Melissa at Melly Sews has a post that takes you step by step through sewing on velvet.

Velvet is such a luscious fabric, especially for winter sewing projects. Of course there are velvet Christmas sewing projects – stockings, tree skirts, santa hats – but velvet is beautiful for all winter. Think of all the gorgeous velvet dresses, evening bags, hair accessories, even pillows and other home décor that you see all winter long.

Melly Sews’ post gives you the tips and tricks you need to know in order for your velvet sewing project to end up a success. There are types of projects better suited for velvets, and kinds of projects to avoid. She describes the different types of velvet available. And she also tells the best way to lay out and cut your pattern pieces from velvet fabric. Her tutorial also covers marking, pressing, and of course sewing that beautiful fabric. There’s also a video included in case that’s your preferred method for learning.

Head over to Melly Sews to learn how to sew on velvet fabric.

And if you want to learn more about that lovely blue velvet dress shown, she has a post that tells more about it including 2 ways to style it depending on if you want to be more dressy or more casual.

[photo credit: Melly Sews]

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