Colette Sorbetto

I feel like my sewing has gone through a similar evolution to the typical knitter’s relationship with garter stitch. As a new knitter garter stitch doesn’t really seem like proper knitting, something to leave behind in favour of complex cabling and lace. It takes a while to cycle back around to appreciating the simple beauty of garter stitch done well. In the same way, I feel like the more I sew the more I appreciate very simple projects.

Colette’s free Sorbetto pattern is a great example of this — just two pattern pieces, edges finished with bias binding and no fastenings — it would be a great first garment. I made this for much warmer weather than today, but it adds an unexpected pattern element that I like under warmer layers. 

With such a basic style the simplest details become the focus so I tired to make them as perfect as possible. It was kind of annoying to work with silk satin for the bias binding (the Clover bias tape makers help!) but I love the result. 

The main fabric is a vintage Liberty print (from the sixties?) that I inherited from my grandmother’s sister. I need to show you some of the amazing clothes they made when they were young — full of the most perfect details. In the interests of simplicity I didn’t bother making any changes to the pattern. Technically the darts could be a little higher (my shoulder to bust measurement is SUPER short, makes dress forms tricky) but I don’t think it’s very noticeable and otherwise fits well.