WHAT!!?
Not only do I absolutely love this amazing, independent pattern company, but, as you all saw, they even had me as their Featured Seamstress (shameless plug) this week. Do I sound ungrateful? I'm not!!!! I think the new collection is absolutely adorable; it's just not quite me...or something? I don't know! I really like aspects of every single piece, but nothing was screaming "SEW ME NOW!"
What the heck is my problem?
Well, upon further inspection and introspection, I've realized that I think the necklines on the dresses were what seemed to be bugging me (they're kind of...horizontal?), and, though the shorts are super cute, I'm too scared to sew anything with a crotch just yet -- yeah, I know they're "Beginner."
However!
The more I look at the new patterns, the more I'm actually drawn to the two dresses, Hazel in particular. Check out the seams on the bodice. They look even cooler when you throw striped fabric into the mix. I think I'm coming around, here...
Sure, maybe the neckline isn't the most exciting, fancy, super-duper thing I've ever seen, but these dresses are classics! Timeless! Wearable! Stop being ridiculous, Sue!
Ok! I'm sold.
What do you all think?
Did you instantly fall in love with the new Colette Patterns line, or did they take a little time to grow on you?
Which one's your favorite?
Ok, now that you've figured out your favorite, click on over to Ginger Makes and enter her awesome giveaway to win one of the new Colette Patterns!!!!
Also, since I'm being honest here, I might as well also confess that I've not made much progress on my green & white polka-dotted vintage Simplicity 3266 blouse. One of the main things that attracted me to it (other than it's cuteness!) was that it seemed quick and simple to make up. For some reason, I'm just dragging my feet. I'm hoping to make some serious progress this weekend...promise!
I had the same reaction - kind of that I could see the appeal, but didn't find any of them super exciting. I think that they are fairly simple silhouettes, and feel less unique to me than some of their previous designs. That being said, I love that they're offering PDFs now! And I do like the Lily dress, though I probably won't buy it myself any time soon.
ReplyDeleteAlso, don't fear the crotch! It's soooooooo much easier than I thought it would be.
Ahh, PDF patterns and sewing a crotch - exciting and scary!!
DeleteI was excited about the shorts because I've been wanting to make some, but I had exactly the same reaction as you to the dresses. And the Hazel grew on me too. I think part of what was disappointing is how similar the two dresses are to each other.
ReplyDeleteYes! I that's a good point...the dresses have very similar silhouettes and necklines/straps, which at first made them kind of blur together and seem unappealing, for me.
DeleteHey, there's nothing wrong with not being excited! Sometimes things just aren't YOU! I feel the same really. I think they are just lovely (on other people), and the styling is adorable and impeccable. But I won't be getting these patterns (unless soon they'll be growing on me like they did you!)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the moral support, Johanna. :)
DeleteI'm hoping to see some fellow sewers' versions of these patterns so I can get inspired.
They are totally meh. And I don'much like the styling - often Colette styling is slightly odd (I'm thinking of the dress on the front cover of her book particularly).
ReplyDeleteI must say that I find myself getting a bit bemused at the blog-land adoration this company inspires, so it's refreshing to see a bit of dissent. It's great to support an independent pattern designer, but the fawning that goes on is excruciating. She's running a business which is something that gets forgotten when other bloggers express their absolute gratitude for her every move.
I'm with you on the styling of the front cover dress.
DeleteIt's definitely interesting to hear your observation about the general "blog-land adoration" for Colette Patterns. I know what you mean and am glad I could offer a slightly different view...even though I'm surprised at my own dissent. :)
I also had the same reaction, Sue. I like the shorts, especially since they are flat front, and will probably end up buying them.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the dresses didn't really do it for me. It would have been nice to see more variation possibilities on each pattern. I suspect the construction, princess seams (lily), and bias detail (hazel) will prompt people to buy them, as they do seem to flatter.
Other than that, I think the styling is lovely, and I'm sure the instructions are well written as usual.
Yes, more variation possibilities for the dresses would have been great!
DeleteI think the shorts are very cute, but in addition to being scared to sew them, I have a weird love/hate (mostly hate) relationship with wearing shorts, so I'm staying away...for now.
Well done on being featured seamstress! I think everyone can have their own view, and with us all being different shapes and sizes It's not possible to always be the right style for everyone. I particularly like the shorts....
ReplyDeleteThanks, and right back at ya Winnie!
DeleteI agree that the patterns can't always be perfect for everyone...I guess I'd just had high hopes that it'd be love at first sight for me. :)
I have to say that I had the same reaction. So I looked at the line drawings and tried to imagine the dresses in different fabrics, etc. and that helped. But I think, ultimately, those are not styles that I would comfortably wear. Maybe the Lily, but there's other patterns out there that I like better. I think other people could totally rock those looks and I'm looking forward to seeing what people make, but I'm not planning on buying anything from the new collection.
ReplyDeleteI found it helpful to look at the line drawings, too. I did king of wish there were sleeves or a different neckline on one of the (rather similar) dresses...
DeleteTesting....
ReplyDeleteOK, that worked - hurrah!! (I have tried to comment on this blog a couple of times at home and it won't play, but my work PC will - how bizarre!)
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, back to the patterns. Colette patterns are an odd one for me. Initially, I didn't get what the fuss was about. None of the patterns particularly grabbed me or even seemed to suit me (Beignet is a case in point, I still don't 'get' it)
I then saw a blog post on the Ceylon (Lladybird, I think) and I was sold! It's a good job, as the picture on the pattern doesn't do it for me. Eventually, I went out to buy the book, as I thought it would be useful for the tips, even if the patterns didn't grab me. Pastille and Meringue are a case in point - the styling and fabrics in the book are not appealing to me but I managed to see past it and how they will work for me.
The new patterns are pretty similar - I thought both dresses looked similar, but it was the stripey Hazel that made me think I might go for it (as for the other, I do love a princess seam), and for some reason I was taken by the shorts, despite the fact I have fat legs and never wear shorts in public :D
As I'm in the UK (and don't have time or money to buy the patterns/fabric for a month or two, I don't do downloads), I'll at least be in a position to see what other people make before I decide whether to go for it or not.
I'm glad you got the comments to work!
DeleteI kind of felt the same way about Colette Patterns initially...like I didn't quite 'get' them, but once the Ginger and Violet came out, I was more intrigued and ended up really appreciating the way the patterns are designed and how clear and helpful the instructions are. They make it easy to get the basics down so you can go on and add any embellishments you can think of.
I'm with you on waiting to see what other sewers do with these new patterns before I decide to purchase one.
Also, I too have issues wearing shorts. ;)
I was slightly ambivalent to start with too. I think partly because it's the opposite season for me, so it wouldn't really be practical to sew any of them up for about 6 months. I really like the design lines of the bodice of the Hazel though, it's really interesting.
ReplyDeleteBeing the opposite season is definitely an issue! These patterns are decidedly warm weather wear.
DeleteI have the same reaction. I think the shorts are the most interesting out of the group but I don't know how flattering they would be on me... I have some older Colette patterns that are still in my queue to sew up, so I won't be rushing out to buy any new ones. I do like the care that's put into the pattern booklets - they're sweet and very user friendly. I like being able to support an independent pattern company, but I find the online adoration somewhat amusing! Good for them, though to have a rock star following! All of their patterns won't please everyone.
ReplyDeletePhew - I'm happy to know I"m not the only one who wasn't thrilled with the newest patterns! I mean, they are nice... but I find the two dresses so similar that if you don't love one, you won't love the other. It does feel like blasphemy to say that though... I think it's partly because Sarai and Caitlyn at Colette both seem so lovely, and contribute so much to the sewing community. It's like trash-talking a friend behind their back! I think it makes sense thought that the more patterns a company has, the more likely it is that a few will be similar! :)
ReplyDeleteThat said, I'll probably buy the Hazel before too long, because I've got some great stripes in the stash! I"m curious to see tha patterns start to pop up in bogland, and maybe we'll love them more!
I'm relieved I wasn't the only one. I could literally re-post almost everything you said and it would be completely what went through my mind. I LOVE Colette, I love being able to introduce beginner/intermediate students of mine to patterns I know they have a great chance of using to make a fabulous garment, I love Sarai's ethics and the way she does things... But yeah... I was kind of underwhelmed.
ReplyDeleteThe shorts *are* cute though...
I can't find your email address, but I'd be thrilled if you would email me about crotches... ;) stephc at 3hourspast dot com
ReplyDeleteThanks, Steph - I was rearranging some things around the blog and managed to accidentally hide my contact info (it's in the Hello tab now) ... I'll definitely consider dropping you an email once I'm brave enough to tackle a pants/shorts pattern! I know I'll need some help. :)
DeletePersonally, I agree. I really do like the shorts and I plan to make a second pair as pants with self-drafted legs, but the dresses were average. One thing I do like about Colette patterns is the fit. They are very true to their measurements... Something I'm a little sensitive about right now. And, don't fear crothches... Once you've done one you'll wonder what you were worried about.
ReplyDeleteI really like the shorts but I'm not drawn to the dresses as much because of the necklines, however that may well change once I've seen some versions online.
ReplyDeleteI hope you end up making the shorts so I can see! They are super cute, I'm just too scared to try them yet.
DeleteI think the Iris shorts are super cute, but the dresses didn't really appeal to me. I was really hoping that they might have brought out a playsuit/romper pattern?! Maybe I should suggest that for next year!
ReplyDeletePlaysuit!! That's a great idea...definitely suggest that for next year. I'd love to see a Colette playsuit. One thing you can count on with their patterns is that they're cute and vintage-inspired but definitely also modern and not too cutesy or costume-y at all...which would be important for an actually wearable playsuit.
DeleteI had the EXACT same reaction. I got an email saying the patterns were released, rushed over to the site and was totally underwhelmed. The two dresses looked very similar on first perusal and didn't look like something I'd like to wear in a hot hot hothothot Philadelphia summer when all I really want is for nothing to touch me. And I TOTALLY think the Lily would have been SO CUTE as a playsuit! At the end of the day, however, the Hazel is the only one that really appealed to me.
ReplyDelete