Sarai Mitnick is the founder and designer behind Colette Patterns. Classic styles and excellent instructions make Colette Patterns the top selling garment patterns at Pink Chalk Fabrics.
I could hardly wait to lay eyes on Sarai’s first book The Colette Sewing Handbook: Inspired Styles and Classic Techniques for the New Seamstress. Worth the wait? Absolutely!
The chapters cover the fundamental principles of making great clothes: forming a plan, using a pattern, choosing fabric, customizing the fit, and finishing your garment well.
Each fundamental principle is presented with a thoughtful story of why it’s important followed by excellent written and visual instructions of specific techniques. The chapters conclude with a sewing project that encompasses the lessons taught. There are 5 full sized clothing patterns included in the book: 1 skirt, 1 blouse, and 3 dresses. You will want to make them all.
One of my favorite quotes from the book:
“A curious person who likes to learn will never get bored with sewing!”
A section named Sewing Lessons covers pressing, gathering, how to sew a dart (including why they’re designed the way they are!), tucks, facings, an invisible zipper, and setting a sleeve.
Excellent photography …
… and detailed illustrations!
In the book’s introduction, Sarai shares her view that learning to sew is a process that begins by slowly building up from a foundation of very simple, basic ideas. Her choice of techniques to teach, the order in which they’re presented, and the inclusion of projects that reinforce the lessons is brilliant, accessible and a joy to read and learn from.
Congratulations to Sarai on an amazing book! I highly recommend it for someone teaching themselves to sew garments and for experienced sewists looking for great patterns, an inside view of Sarai’s techniques and an enjoyable read about a talented artist’s philosophy on sewing.
Follow Sarai on the Coletterie blog and view her complete line of Colette Sewing Patterns in the shop.
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Leave a comment sharing why you like to sew garments or want to learn. We’ll give away a copy of the book and two Colette patterns from the shop. Winners announced Saturday (November 12). Winners announced!
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Other fabulous stops on the blog tour:
Nov 2: Craft Buds – interview and giveaway
Nov. 3: Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing – lace insertion tutorial for the Licorice dress
Nov. 4: Sewaholic – book excerpt
Nov. 8: Flossie Teacakes – Interview with Sarai and book review
Nov. 8: A Fashionable Stitch – book excerpt and review
Nov. 9: Pink Chalk Studio – Book review
Nov. 10: Craft Gossip – Interview with Sarai and giveaway
Nov. 11: Bolt Fabric – book review
Nov. 14: True Up: Fabric Fives with Sarai
Nov. 15: Frolic! – On styling the book’s photos
Nov. 15: Threads Magazine – Giveaway
Nov. 16: Whipstitch – book review
Nov. 16: Honey Kennedy – Styling ideas
Nov. 17: A Dress a Day – Interview with Sarai
Nov. 18: Not Martha – book review
(break for Thanksgiving week)
Nov. 28: Casey’s Elegant Musings – Project Planning, book excerpt and Casey’s thoughts
Nov. 29: MADE – giveaway
Nov. 30: Sew Weekly – book review
Nov. 30: Oh! Fransson - Elizabeth’s version of the Taffy pattern
Dec. 1: Sew Mama Sew – Guest post from Sarai on grainlines
Kathy Mack
Carrie + Diana
I love to sew because it allows me to have the wardrobe I want and lets me be creative!
I love to sew garments because I can get exactly what I want. Over the years I have sewn my wedding gown, many, many bridesmaids dresses,jackets, coats, skirts, dresses etc. I have 3 daughters whom I have dressed over the years. I would love this book because my youngest daughter is finally showing an interest in sewing and I would like to encourage her to continue in this wonderful pastime.
I love to sew because it allows me to make cute, one-of-a-kind items that I love.
I like to sew because I can make something totally unique. Coming for a small country where all the girls buy their clothes from the same 3 stores available, I love being able to look different.
I liking sewing my own because it feels good when I can say “I made it!” rather than “oh, it was on sale at Macy’s.”
I like to sew clothing because its challenging and I get a one of a kind outfit to wear!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I like to sew clothing because I can tailor it to my own body and style. I’m always trying to learn more to get closer to this ideal…
I’ve been looking forward to this book! I love to sew for myself because (on top at least) it is nigh impossible to try and find ready-to-wear that actually fits. And fitting definitely brings some challenges that totally keep me engaged in my projects!
I sew garments because I like to make, instead of buy, as many things in my life as I can manage. And the clothes in stores don’t please me as much as the ones in my imagination.
Sewing garments is a way to be yourself (on the outside) while expressing your creativity (that comes from the inside).
Oh, I’m so excited about this book! I’ve been sewing clothing for myself for two years now. Before I did that, I was so picky about prints and cuts — the cuts had to be somehow unique enough for me to want to add them to my wardrobe. Now, I get to make decisions on every single aspect of what I wear — it’s great!
Beautiful! I like to sew garments so that I can get thing just they way I want them — fit, fabric and form…But unfortunately my skills are not where I’d like them to be on the fit front
I could use some help!
I love to sew garments because I can make things that fit perfectly, represent my personal style, and are less expensive than anything I can get at a shop (other than those that utilize sweatshop workers).
I love to sew my own clothes because of my fit issues! I’m still learning though (all though I hope that will always be the case with sewing!) and love reference books, especially ones that have practical applications to use what you’ve just learnt – and what better way than with a Colette pattern? Fingers Crossed…
I love to sew. It’s a calming retreat from this hectic world. When I sit at my machine and feed fabric through, tension slides off my body. Except, of course, when its time to get out the seam ripper, grrr… but, once repaired, and back on track, time slips away…
I do not like to sew garments, but I really want to love it. Maybe this book would give the background I need to understand what I am doing!
I started sewing to make costumes and corsets, transitioning to sewing other clothes when I realized I spent 4 hours searching in vain for a dress to wear to a friend’s wedding. “I could have spent that time making something that I want to wear!” I loathe shopping, especially with today’s fashion offerings, but I love making things.
I am just starting to teach myself to sew because I like the process part of crafts and learning new things. Plus, eventually I want to be able to sew well-made clothes, things that last.
Sewing clothing for myself is something I rarely do because I am usually unhappy with the results…this book looks like just what I need.
I want to learn to make dresses in classic styles – clothes that are timeless, but can be paired with trendy accessories.
I enjoy sewing for the choices I can make with a garment. Often when shopping for clothes I find a cut/style that (mostly) works, but the colors or patterns available won’t work or don’t appeal. With sewing I can change all of that.
I want to learn how to make clothes for MYSELF, not the kids, that kick ass, and show some real style!
xoxx s
The reason I like to sew is also the most frustrating – fit! There is no other way to get a garment that works with ones own unique curves, but it does take work and (sometimes) hair pulling and cursing
i like to sew garments for a better fit and quality than you would get from a store.
i would love to learn, i don’t always see exactly what i want in the stores, or it’s way out of my price range!
I like sewing my own clothes because I can choose the fabrics and styles I like. I’d like to learn more about making more fitted clothes better though! Thanks for the chance
I sew a lot of pieces for my children, but I am thinking it’s time I construct some well-fitted garments for myself. I am very particular about what styles I like so the idea of sewing my own garments would suit both of my desires to be frugal as well as unique. Thanks for the giveaway!
I have always wanted to try to sew clothing but have been too scared. This book looks amazing!
I haven’t sewed many garments but this book inspires me to sew some clothes.
I like being able to make things myself and the feeling of accomplishment when they came out like I intended for them to!
I love to think about all the dresses I could make!
I want to learn because I want to make clothes that fit me perfectly.