Sewing

Free sewing pattern: The Madeleine mini bloomers

I’ve just released a free pattern for these cute mini bloomers, so hop on over to Colette Patterns to see more pictures and details, and download the free pattern.
Please feel free to blog/tweet/share the link around! For such a wee project, I spent lots of time on it, so I want as many people [...]

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Inspiration: Victorian silk stockings

I just randomly came across this amazing specimen of embroidered victorian silk stockings on Etsy. Aren’t they amazing?
I’m inspired to do my own whitework embroidery on stockings now. I just need to find stockings sturdy enough to last longer than a few wears first!

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This week at Colette Patterns…

I’ve been posting some fun stuff over at the Colette Patterns blog, so I thought I might start posting some quick weekly roundups to keep you up to date:

The magic of vintage fabric covered belt buckles, and how I wish they were still being made.
Lots of photos of Women’s Wear of the 1930’s, one of [...]

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Tap pants!

I guess the time has come for me to talk about my underwear on the internet.
I’ve mentioned before that I really like vintage underthings. They are just so comfortable and pretty. Ok, maybe stockings/garters and girdles and corsets aren’t comfortable (though functional). But silk slips, kimonos, tap pants, bralettes, camisoles, bed jackets… [...]

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A new playsuit!

This is my new denim playsuit/overall thing, which I made by combining one of my patterns with a vintage one. It’s perfect for bike riding on a warm day.
Check out thesewing deets on the Colette Patterns blog for more about them.

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Beautiful Barkcloth

I’ve always wanted to have a bathroom that’s a little bit glamorous. Why not? I spend an inordinate amount of time bathing. The tub is one of my favorite things in the world, a true sanctuary from daily life and a place where I can regroup, relax my body, read a book, [...]

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Colette Patterns is open for business!

Friends, I am thrilled to announce that the Spring collection of sewing patterns is now available for purchase! Here’s what I wrote on the Colette Patterns blog:
I think you will all really love what we’ve done. Each sewing pattern is packaged up in a pretty little booklet with a linen-textured cover, a singer-stitched [...]

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A Spring dress transformation

Isn’t this little sundress adorable? I used elastic shirring to transform it from a big 80s suburban housewife dress. I’ve posted all about it at the Colette Patterns blog: Transforming a dress with elastic shirring.
Some of you may remember this lovely little sundress I transformed almost exactly a year ago from a fluffy [...]

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Free to a good home: red plaid

Last one!
Another one I’ve had sitting around for a good ten years. It’s kind of shameful. I also made some sort of crazy skirt/underbust corset thingy out of this back in the day.
I adore plaid, and this warm red plaid is very punk rock vivienne westwood. It’s some sort of synthetic, which [...]

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Free to a good home: flocked twill

I have had this fabric since high school. In my club going days, I made a corset and matching circle skirt out of it. I still have a big piece left.
It’s a black flocked leopard pattern on black cotton twill. It would make a really cute pencil skirt if you’re the rockabilly [...]

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