Welcome to Spring: A Giveaway for You, Your Man and Your Library!

Hello folks, welcome to Spring!

I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed with my work and bummed about the semi-success of my Uniform Project LGD. Just drained overall. But then I left for a a conference and returned feeling recharged, a bit like Spring itself: the promise of warmth and growth and longer days.

Let's turn over a new leaf and think about all the possibilities on the horizon. I'm personally going to start putting my sewing energy into the things that excite me the most and going to work on streamlining the things that hinder it. And I'd like to offer you three possibilities in this Awesome Fabulous Spring Giveaway!

I'd like to spread the spring-love far and wide, so I will ship worldwide and entries will close at the end of Sunday, March 27 PST. I'll use a random number generator and it'll be in the mail to you before April :)

Here's what to do:
1. Pick the item you'd like to receive
2. In the comments, answer the accompanying question
3. Include your email address so I can contact you about your fabulous prize

And here are the three items.

1. For You: Colette Patterns Rooibos Dress


What says warm weather better than a short dress that shows off your clavicle and bare arms? And it has all the stylish retro flair of the tres popular Colette Patterns: tiny collar, distinctive pockets and piping.

This is by far by favorite Colette Pattern and I think one of its most under-appreciated patterns. I love all their patterns, but this one strikes me as closer to the 1960s and 1970s with the shorter length and a touch of youthfulness. The wonderful thing is it has so much range, it can go from classic colors of navy and white like this:


To this stunning, colorful number like this from Veronica Darling:

(She made it out of a tablecloth!)

So I couldn't be completely selfless in this venture. I'm going to whip this bad boy up and want to pick your collective brain.

Question: What colors/fabrics would you use to make this pattern you?

Seeking inspiration? Check out Colette's great Flickr pool.


2. Let's Hear it For the Boy

Another winner from Colette Patterns, the brand new Negroni.


As an admittedly selfish sewer who has a copy of this pattern and has not touched it in months (sorry, darling!) it's worth giving a little bit of our sewing- and blogging-energy to the men in our lives. The boy takes photos, listens to me chatter on about fitting problems over dinner, and has patiently waited as I make a "quick run to the fabric store."


Question: Tell us something special/unique about the man in your life you'd like to make this for.

I'd like to answer, too, because he deserves it. The man I'm going to make this for (eventually, I promise!) is my 10-year partner, son of an incredible seamstress of a woman. Through his example, I've learned the importance of elegance and fit in dressing, and patience and kindness in everything else. He's a voracious reader and loves taco trucks.

3. For the Bibliophiles

Practical Home Needlecraft in Pictures, 1948, London

I know this may not be as titillating as the two beautiful patterns above, but if you're a book collector, this is a gem. This was published while the clothing ration was still in effect in England.

And a peek inside:
Question: What sewing-related book do you find yourself returning to again and again and why?

Happy Sewing!