Coletterie (3)

Apr30 3

Featured Seamstress: Shaerie

Name: Shaerie

Skill Level: Expert

Pattern: Violet

Her website: Sew LA

What kind of fabric did you use? I used some beautiful lawn from Alexander Henry – Eton Butterfly in the “Tea” colorway.

How did you decide to reflect your personal style in the pattern? That would definitely be the fabric – I fell in love with it, and stashed it till just the right pattern came along! Also, I usually tweak patterns just a bit to fit my body better – in this instance, I pinned the lower back pattern piece an inch away from the fold to give myself a little more room in the back, and gathered it a bit more to fit the yoke. After making the first version (the butterflies), I decided to cut one size smaller in the neckline and shoulder area, which is a common adjustment for me. I also made another version with a sleeve adaptation.

What thoughts do you have about the project? I love this blouse! It’s a go-to pattern for me, especially when I’m trying to use fabric from my stash – and I can always cut a contrast collar if I don’t have enough! We use this pattern in one of our intermediate level classes because it is chock full of core intermediate skills: sewing darts, gathering, clipping and notching, grading, understitching, setting sleeves and buttonholes!

Thanks, Shaerie!

Apr27 7

Weekly Link Roundup

Posted by Caitlin | Leave a Comment

image by plaisanter~

Today we start another new feature here on Coletterie, a collection of links we love from around the web. Every Friday we’ll be posting a variety of links varying from tutorials to pictures of pretty things. If you know of any fun things we should add, let us know and we’ll consider featuring them!

Shaped Pockets Tutorial by the lovely Casey
Beautiful 20s Dresses on Dear Golden
Interfacing Guide by Amy Butler on the Sew Mama Sew blog
Pretty Polka Dot Bags via Jen, we think would be so easy and fun to make
Draft a Zip Fly for Clovers with this helpful tutorial by Sallie

Have a wonderful weekend!

Apr27 9

Choosing the right fabric: Hazel

Posted by Caitlin | Leave a Comment

Hazel is such a light and airy dress. Perfect for spring and summer! I love the gathered skirt and especially pockets. Every girl should have pockets in her dress. Hazel works for so many different occasions from a summer stroll to the farmer’s market to a fancy dinner date with your loved one.

fabric drape

This dress works with fabrics that have either a soft or crisp drape. The look will be completely different between the two. A fabric with a stiff drape will make the skirt float away from your body. For a relaxed look, a fabric with a soft drape will gently fold into itself and lightly against you.

Fabrics: Bright Georgette, Blue Floral, Ivory Floral, Ivory Eyelet, Nani Iro Floral, Yellow Swiss Dot

types of fabric

Light and medium weight fabrics will work best with this pattern. Look for anything from cotton gauze, lightweight linen, silk crepe de chine to silk or cotton twill and pique. For the photo shoot we used floral cotton double gauze, striped cotton shirting and teal cotton voile. Very lightweight fabrics such as the voile will require lining as they are quite sheer. Play around with border print fabrics or eyelet edging. The V-shape in the bodice is the perfect place to showcase a beautiful lace or eyelet.

ideas

contrasting fabric for the V-shape in the bodice
pretty lace fabric for the V-shape
fabric with stripes that vary in size
with a striped dress, make a matching belt with stripes on the bias

Apr26 73

Palette Challenge: Wide legs and deep pockets

Posted by Sarai | Leave a Comment

Here’s what I made this past week for the Palette Challenge. Some blue linen wide leg pants with extra deep pockets.

The fabric is a linen blend with a bit of poly, which turns out to be a really nice combination. The fabric remains light and breathable from the linen, but the added poly helps control the crazy wrinkling action that linen is known for. I’m wearing them with a coral pink silk sorbetto.

My only challenge with these pants was the length. I think wide leg pants look best (1) worn with heels of some kind and (2) cut a bit long, so they make your legs look nice and long. I’m not sure if I cut these long enough, what do you think? They’re too long for flats, but perhaps a bit short for these heels? Maybe with a lower heel? I’m undecided.

Apr25 20

Detail Inspiration: Border Prints

Posted by Caitlin | Leave a Comment

We’re resuming a feature on the Coletterie where we’ll spotlight all kinds of details. Today, I’m focusing on border prints. This is especially timely since our new Hazel dress looks so lovely in a border print.

Border prints can be so fun to use. They do look fantastic at the hem, but notice how these dresses also use the border to highlight the bodice and waist.