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Friday, 27 April 2012

A review of the Jasmine blouse, Colette Patterns #1018

There have been quite a buzz over Colette Patterns for quite some time now, but initially I wasn’t that interested, I don’t know why, really. Then I succumbed and bought a couple of patterns and so far I haven’t regretted it. Colette Patterns have a growing line of patterns that aren’t reproduction patterns, but has a distinct vintage feel to them. Though the skirts and dresses generally are too short for a 40’s style that is something that is easy to change.




For my summer ensemble in yellow I decided to make the Jasmine blouse. It’s a bias-cut blouse without a closure and a cute little collar. The pattern has two collar options and two kinds of sleeves. I opted to make my version sleeveless, but I did make the sleeves in my mock-up.

The pattern arrived quite promptly- as promptly as can be expected for overseas shipping and the pattern itself is just about the cutest I have ever seen. It comes in the form of a chubby little envelope, but when you open it you realize that it is actually a little booklet with the tissue pattern nestling in a little pocket.



It is also the easiest pattern I have ever worked with. The booklet starts with a pattern inventory and advice on how to get started. Then cutting layouts and sewing instructions, everything very clear and easy to follow. In the back there is a glossary and room for personal notes. There is also information to be found at the website and there is also a blog. The pattern itself comes in several sizes, ranging from 0 to 18.

The pattern was very easy to work with. Labeled as a beginners pattern I still felt that it avoided the trap of simplify into boredom. The style is simple and elegant, but the collar and sleeves gives it personality. Now I’d like to try one of the dress patterns!

Pictures of the finished blouse are yet to come.

11 comments:

  1. That looks lovely!
    I can't wait to see what your finished blouse looks like. You've inspired me to get this pattern for myself. As a beginner it sounds perfect.
    xxx

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  2. How hard was it to change the pattern so that it fits for someone with large breasts?

    Easier or harder than other commercial patterns and did the instructions mention this?

    What cup size would you estimate that the pattern was made for?

    /Eva

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  3. I've only read good reviews of Coletter patterns but haven't tried one yet.
    As your previous comment asks, I'm curious how easy the patterns are to alter for the non-pear shape figure which Colette design for.

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  4. Oooo! Jag har varit småförälskad i det här mönstret sedan det kom ut, men jag har inte köpt det ännu. Nu har jag dessutom precis köpt och sytt en knutblus enligt 50-talsmönster, så även om jag behöver blusar är jag inte helt säker på att fler mönster med rosett är att önska just nu... men det är inte lätt att låta bli!

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  5. I'll be curious to see the final result, glad it sounds like you were pleased! I like the look of the blouse but find the neckline too deep for my tastes, so I think I'd need to do some altering.

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  6. I'm excited to see your finished blouse! It's a pattern I've long had my eye on.

    Can I answer some of the other questions in the comments? I have the Colette book and I've made a couple of patterns from it (blouse and dress). I'm pretty sure the patterns are designed to fit a C cup. There are great instructions on how to do a full bust adjustment on the Colette website too (for a specific dress, but very helpful, see here: http://www.coletterie.com/sewalongs/rooibos-full-bust-adjustment)

    I don't work for them, just really like their patterns! ;)

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  7. That looks like a lovely pattern, very tempting! Excited to see it! XxxX http://thesecondhandrose.blogspot.co.uk/

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  8. Nämen! Det är så att tom den mest traumatiserat syskärrade blir småsugen på att ge sig i kast med samma projekt. Jag havrerade med uppdraget att sy en omlottklänning när tyget hade fräckheten att ta slut, så näsligt.

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  9. Miss Rosie Beau: I hope you will find it fun to make!

    Eva: I didn't change the pattern at all, actually. It is rather loose-fitting as you pull it over your head so I saw no need for it. My size fits me nicely. The instructions didn't mention re-sizing the bust. I'm not used to thinking of cup-size, so it's hard to tell, but I'm sure Kat is right. :) I'm going to try the dress that is fitted now, so then I will find out how it fits me when it's form-fitting.

    Snippa: As I've only tried this pattern, that I didn't need to change, I'm not sure. They are easy to work with, though, so I think they would be fairly easy to change.

    Emma: Jag har märkt att det är alldeles för lätt att köpa snarlika mönster. Antagligen för att man gillar en viss stil och dras till den automatiskt. Men det blir lite löjligt när jag tittade genom mina mönster sis och hittade tre 40-talsklänningar som i princip är samma klänning...

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  10. Tasha: I don't find it deep, which of course is a matter of taste, but also, I think, because of my figure. It was a very nice pattern to work with and I don't think it would be hard to raise the neckline.

    Kat: I hope to be able to take some pics soon! And thank you for answering!

    Second Hand Rose: Glad you enjoyed!

    Kristina: Usch så irriterande! Jag tycker att Colette Patterns verkar vara utmärkta som nybörjarmönster. De har en del fina kjolar, fast man måste nog förlänga dem, de är lite korta i modellerna.

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  11. Tasha: I don't find it deep, which of course is a matter of taste, but also, I think, because of my figure. It was a very nice pattern to work with and I don't think it would be hard to raise the neckline.

    Kat: I hope to be able to take some pics soon! And thank you for answering!

    Second Hand Rose: Glad you enjoyed!

    Kristina: Usch så irriterande! Jag tycker att Colette Patterns verkar vara utmärkta som nybörjarmönster. De har en del fina kjolar, fast man måste nog förlänga dem, de är lite korta i modellerna.

    ReplyDelete

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