Portland Sewing Parties!

-jaime

While Amber and I were in town for Quilt Market we were able to go to a couple of awesome parties held for Quilt Market attendees! The first one was held at Modern Domestic, a sewing studio in Portland.

Modern Domestic had just expanded and their new larger space was beautiful and inspiring! Amber and I loved being able to chat with owners Lupine and Michelle about their shop and experiences.

Lupine, Amber, Jaime and Michelle

Sarai of Colette patterns lives and works in Portland and hosted a party at her studio for Quilt Market attendees with Amy Butler. Sarai's studio is in the renovated Ford Building--originally built as an assembly plant for the Ford Model-T, and now a home to creative offices and studios.

There were beautiful old windows that let in tons of natural light. Amy Butler had her garment fabrics on display and there were sewn samples of all of the Colette patterns.

Amber, Amy Butler, Sarai Mitnick and Jaime

We had a lovely time with Sarai, Amy and lots of other shop owners, fabric designers and pattern makers!

Thanks Portland ladies for showing us a great time!

Jaime's Echino Beignet

You probably know that I am obessed with Echino fabrics. Each time a new collection arrives I always plan out a million projects. This time I decided I had to have a bright mustard skirt and this parrot circle print was the perfect candidate.

I have never made a Colette skirt so I was excited to give the Beignet a try. The Beignet skirt is a high-waisted, straight skirt made with lots of panels for a perfect fit.

I took my time with the one and worked on it over the course of a couple of Featherweight Fridays, which is a nice break from my usual frenzied sewing pace. The skirt turned out great. It is fully lined and has pockets. I finished it with some bright coral buttons and I love their unique oval shape.

I was able to debut this skirt at the midsummer farm party for our CSA farm, Pastures of Plenty. So beautiful and summery!

Betsy and Jaime Made Sorbettos!

 Betsy's Sorbetto

I had been wanting to make a Colette pattern for my summer wardrobe but couldn't decide on the right one until I saw the Sorbetto Top pattern on Sarai Mitnick's blog. The vintage style with a simple pleat down the middle was just what I was looking for and with all the beautiful new voiles in the shop I had to make it right away. The best part about this pattern is that it is available as a free download! Thanks Colette!

This was my first time working with a pattern from Colette and now I am totally addicted. Her instructions are so clear and she kindly details any new techniques so there is never a question about how or what you are supposed to do next. I was able to finish this piece in just a few hours and wear it that night to a party. The fabric I used was my favorite print from Anna Maria Horner's Loulouthi voile, which feels so lovely on a hot day that I have already pick out some more voiles for my next Sorbetto.

 Jaime's Sorbetto

You know how we are around here--one person makes something and starts wearing it around and soon we all have to have one. That's how it went with the Sorbetto Top. As soon as Betsy came in wearing her flattering new tank, I knew it would be my next pattern to sew up. I have been eying this print from Anna Maria Horner's new Loulouthi fabric collection and wasn't sure what to do with it so the Sorbetto top seemed like the perfect solution.

I made this top in one sitting at Craft Night in between talking and drinking a glass of wine - its so quick and easy! Just a few seams and you're done. Colette does give instructions for making your own bias tape (which would look amazing!), but we happened to have the perfect orange bias tape and I couldn't resist the instant gratification of using it.

Hooray! New sleeveless tops just in time for the hottest days of summer.

New Dress Fantastic-ness!

Jaime and I both just finished sewing our Colette dresses. They turned out great and we love our cute new frocks!


Jaime made the Parfait pattern out of a soft chambray and added contrasting hand-stitched buttons by Pin Pals to the pockets and large Twinkle buttons for the straps.


I made the Chantilly Dress using an Erin McMorris tree print and some coordinating organic cotton canvas in the palest of pistachio.


We were so excited to finish sewing them that we went for a frolic in the flower garden and celebrated with some Stevie-Nicks-style spinning.

(You might want to click the above image for the extreme fantastic-ness.)

New! Colette Sewing Patterns!

We are so excited about these new sewing patterns by Sarai Mitnick! Her new line of Colette Sewing Patterns include four adorable vintage inspired dresses and one sexy high-waisted skirt. Her classic designs flatter ladies of all sizes--the pattern size range is 0 to 18--and her detailed instruction booklets will make sewing them a breeze. Dress them up for a fancy occasion with a silk fabric, or make them fun for summertime with a cotton print!

Parfait

Macaron

Eclair

Chantilly

Beignet

Jaime and I are already working on our Parfait and Chantilly, we'll be sure to update you with our cute finished dresses!