OK. Take a deep breath. Imagine yourself on a beach somewhere, breathing in the fresh, salty, ocean air… and not hyperventilating about HOW CUTE THE NEW SPRING COLETTE PATTERNS ARE!!!
It’s official– I’m in love! I gave up buying anything sewy/knitty/etc for Lent (which, surprisingly, was AMAZING– I felt so free and easy and de-cluttered!), but when I saw that the launch of the new spring patterns was set for April 10th… after Easter… I knew I was doomed.
First up– the Hazel dress! This is beyond cute, and I particularly like the striped version. “Wait, Ginger”, I said to myself. “You’ve already got the somewhat similarly-shaped Simplicity 2209. Stay cool and don’t buy another pattern!”. I fought the urge and forged ahead.
The Hazel dress (photo by Colette)
However… the gorgeous Lily dress— holy cow, it was love at first sight! I can’t even be cool about it– it’s absolutely smashing, and I would feel like a seductive screen siren in this thing. I feel like it might even make li’l ol’ rectangular me feel like a saucy hourglass-figured vixen! Somehow I stayed strong and avoided temptation, but I think eventually I’ll have to cave and make this dress. It’s just way too fab!
The Lily dress (photo by Colette)
But when I saw the Iris shorts, I was overtaken by a force outside of my body that willed me to click away. Digital PDF?!?! Before I knew what was happening to me, I had bought and downloaded the pattern. Luckily, this is a super practical piece, and I was looking for a nice shorts pattern just this week! I’ll confess– I hate shorts. HATE them. Shorts are a sure-fire way for my legs to look weird and they’re either way too skimpy or way too frumpy (I don’t get it!). But I work outside in all weather, and it just gets too hot to wear jeans on 90+ degree days, so I figure I could use a few pairs of cute shorts. I gave up on my no-shorts vow last year and cut off my favorite pair of jeans in a fit of passion (what was I thinking?! I must’ve been in the middle of a heat stroke), THEN I had a slip ‘o’ the scissors that resulted in what can only be described as khaki hot pants (don’t worry– they were never worn).
The Iris shorts (photo by Colette)
I have to say, I’m in love with the digital format! It’s total instant gratification! I bought it yesterday, printed it out, cut it out, and started cutting out muslin last night! Also… the best part… I don’t have to bother with tracing the pattern (I feel too guilty just cutting out my lovely Colette patterns, and tracing is such a thoroughly joyless process for me that I often put off starting a project just because I’m dreading the tracing process so much!). Plus, they’re a few bucks cheaper, so it’s win-win for me! What are your thoughts on downloadable patterns? Love ’em? Hate ’em? Ambivalent?
OK, so let’s get down to business. Just because I’m behaving and not buying every single one of these doesn’t mean I don’t wanna share the love! I’d like to give away your choice of the three patterns in either paper or PDF format. Just leave a comment and let me know which pattern you’d like (and which format). You can enter until, let’s say, Saturday, April 14th at noon EST. I’ll pick a winner Saturday! Yay!
Ginger Makes... 
It’s so hard to choose – I love the shorts but until I’ve done a bit of exercise I think I’d go for Hazel in printed format please. Thanks for the generous giveaway!
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WHHAAATT???!!! Free Patterns! Holy Yes!!
I’d pick the Hazel in PDF…. Or the shorts. So hard to choose. No! The Hazel. PDF. Definitely.
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Yeah, I pretty much died & flew straight to Heaven when I saw the patterns. I can’t wait to see how everyone makes theirs up. Almost as exciting as the initial release 🙂
I am really enamoured with the Hazel dress. Love that stripe play & the bias side pieces! I actually have the perfect piece of fabric to use with this dress… totally fate. I prefer paper patterns, just because i hate printing & taping all those PDF pages (plus mine NEVER line up properly, no matter how precise I am). But I do think it’s a great option to have, especially for people outside of the US!
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Really loving the V bodice on Hazel. I’d go for the paper format as I’m running out of tape!
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I love the Iris shorts in print form…I usually wear only skirts or dresses, but these shorts are so cute!
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The Hazel dress is my favorite. I love the stripe version and doubt I could make it as cool, but would love to attempt it! I am undecided when it comes to pdf or paper. Both have their positives and negatives. I guess this girl will be riding the fence on that debate for awhile.
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You generous lovely human! I am in love with all of the patterns as well, but I would probably pick Lily dress in print format. If I won it, I’d sew it in one day and have a garden party to celebrate how beautiful it is.
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I’d love the pdf of the shorts! I NEED to make some!
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I also hate shorts but probably because I’ve never really found a super flattering pair. I’m excited to see how yours turn out! And if all goes well, I could be convinced to try the Iris too!
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Thank you for the giveaway! I would love a pdf of Hazel!
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I would love to have the Iris shorts pattern in paper format (please) Thanks!
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I’d love the Hazel dress in paper format please! Thank you for a great giveaway
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I would love to attempt the Lily. Paper. Can’t wait to see how your shorts turn out! I’m sure you’ll inspire all of us to make them.
Erin
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oh, Ginger! I know – these patterns are divine!! I am in loooove with all 3! here’s hoping I win…thanks so much for your generosity!
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AH! You are entirely too fabulous for offering this giveaway! I personally would love a paper version of the shorts pattern, because this pattern makes me actually want to make shorts. Your shorts are going to be fab!
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Ahh! You naughty girl. I’ve been trying to control myself since I’ve got two unused Colette patterns in queue but count me in!! I can’t even decide which I love more — the Lily (those pockets!) or the Hazel (them stripes!). Thanks for being so generous
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I want those Iris shorts in the paper format. So flippin’ cute!
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I admit, I’m a sucker… I fell in love, fast and hard, with the Lily dress immediately – and promptly ordered that and the Iris shorts… but now that the Hazel is growing on me (lovin’ that v-shaped seamline on the bodice) I’m afraid I might have to have that one too! 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway and counting me in! 🙂
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The Iris shorts are definitely my favourite. Perfect summer cycling and picnic wear!
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Loving the Hazel dress – especially in the stripy fabric – ideally in pdf format.
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You are too too nice! I would love a pair of the ris shorts in downloadable format. And I’m with you in that I was hesitant about the digital format but like it now because of the instant gratification and that fact that you will always have a copy. No need to worry about losing the pattern!
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I too love the iris shorts. I always have trouble finding nice shorts for my shape. PDF is the best. I only use it now.
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So generous! I really like the Hazel dress and would love to play with some border prints or stripes with it. I’ve definitely made fair use of pdf files, which make good use of my scrap paper as it is. 🙂
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It would have to be the Hazle as I have some blue and white fabric I just bought at home and I’m addicted to stripes. I bought it just ‘because’ but now I need this pattern in PDF! 😀
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Fun giveaway! I would love the Hazel pattern (PDF).
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Oh, Iris shorts for sure. I’ve never tried making shorts, and I have visions of them in orange twill…
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Hmmm, how to choose a favorite?! I would have to choose the Lily.
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Oh you generous soul! Ive never had a go at a Colette pattern, despite my ownership of the book and the sorbet to pattern. Must. Try. Soon…
I’m totally keen on the Lily pattern, not only because it has some serious beachy gorgeousness, but also because I can see it as an awesome autumn/ winter dress in wool layered on top of some long sleeves and tights. And for those in the southern hemisphere, this is only a good thing! (Oh, and probably paper if I won, but I wouldn’t turn my nose up at PDF, I know what postage rates are like!).
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I’d have to go with Lily, although Hazel is pretty awesome, too. I’ve never tried a digital version of a garment pattern, but would be happy to give it a whirl. Thanks for doing this!
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Wow Ginger – it’s so lovely of you to do a giveaway! I think for me it’d have to be the Iris shorts (although quite frankly I want all three) as, like you, I’ve been looking for a shorts pattern I like since the new year. (And PDF format would be lovely thanks!)
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The new patterns are cute. 🙂 I’d go for the Hazel dress – the cut of the bodice is really interesting, I think it would be lots of fun to play around with. Either paper or PDF would be fine for me, but since I’m waaay down in the bottom of the world, PDF is probably easier. 😉
Looking forward to seeing what your shorts look like made up!
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I can see myself wearing the Lily dress, it would flatter my shape so well. I am sure I could find plenty of beautiful fabrics to make it up in.
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Oooh, I’d have to go with the Iris shorts too. I also am not a shorts fan usually but these ones could definitely persuade me otherwise! Pdf would be good for me.
Look forward to seeing your version! 🙂
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Would love the Iris Shorts in paper! They are too cute!
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I LOVE the hazel dress. Having the v seams with a stripe is just so flattering. Would love to have a go at that one in paper.
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I totally forgot these were offered as pdf’s. I think that’s great. Sign me up for the Iris shorts in digital format, please. Thanks for the great giveaway!
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I would love the Hazel dress in paper! Our printer is cranky and never prints things out right 😦
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What a lovely giveaway! I am hankering after the Lily dress (pdf) because i’m a bridesmaid later in the year and that would make me the perfect dress!
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I would adore the Iris shorts in paper. I like the convenience of pdf, but I always worry that my taping is somehow slightly off and therefore that I’ve messed things up!
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oh boy! colette patterns are so sweet. and the instructions and printing are clear and beautifully put together. i’d love to win an iris shorts pattern (paper version).
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Send me your tracings ! I love that bit 🙂 Please don’t count me in for the win as I already scored me these patterns (I am just too greedy !) but thank you for a fabulous give – away ! 🙂 You can enter my give-away for a renfrew top on my blog – it would look just too cute with the Iris shorts !! xx
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Most definitely the shorts. I am in the same boat. They are always grandmotherly or trampy. I cannot seem to find the middle ground.
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I’d love to make either the iris or Lily.
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I’d love to sew Hazel, ,my kinda dress!
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Oooh hard to pick but this is the first short pattern that I have EVer liked! Either pattern
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