Featured Refashionista

For this week's Featured Refashionista interview we step back into the past to speak with Sarai, who pledged with Wardrobe Refashion in 2007.  Since then, she has started her own womens clothing pattern company, but continues to stay true to the lessons she learned from her time with Wardrobe Refashion.

Who are you and where are you from?

My name is Sarai Mitnick, and I live in Portland, OR.  I run a small clothing pattern company called Colette Patterns, which just launched this year.  I also have a personal blog, Sweet Sassafras.

When did you join Wardrobe Refashion, and for how long?

I joined up and took the pledge in August 2007.  I decided to try it for four months, but ended up doing it for a little over a year!  It was right before I got married, so maybe I was looking for a new "project," I'm not sure.  But I really loved being a part of it, and I think it changed my spending and creative habits even beyond my participation.

How did your time with WR change your attitudes around clothing?

I loved committing myself to giving up prefab clothing.  The way I thought about clothes really shifted in surprising ways.  I became much more attuned to what I liked about clothing and what inspires me about them, rather than feeling the urge to buy buy buy all the time.  Instead of thinking about the things I saw in the store and whether I had the money to acquire them, I started to pay more attention to the details and how I could incorporate them into my sewing.  



I love clothes, I always have.  But with an appreciation for beautiful things comes a desire for them, and that can actually be really destructive to your well-being, or at least it feels that way to me.  So it was amazing to transform that desire for stuff into inspiration for my sewing. 

Did your time with WR influence the way you approach your new business and line of clothing patterns?  If so, how?

It really did!  I've always loved sewing, but it really solidified my conviction of how much joy can come from making your own clothing.  That's one of the big motivations behind Colette Patterns, to share that joy and help others make beautiful things for themselves.  At least, that's my hope!

 

Tell us about your most memorable refashion project.

Well, there was my wedding dress!  It wasn't refashioned per se since it was sewn from new materials, but it's still possibly the prettiest thing I've ever made.  I really invested in the fabric, a gold 4-ply silk charmeuse from Italy.  I still have a tiny scrap of it, and sometimes I find it in my stash and just have to pet it, it's so slinky and soft.

 

I also really loved the pink cashmere sweater I altered into a more fitted version with matching rose pin.  My grandmother found the cardigan second hand and I loved the color but it was quite baggy.  It was lovely to make it into something so pretty and flattering.

What is your favorite refashioning trick?

Shortening dresses and skirts is probably the number one thing I do with second hand clothing.  I like hems that fall just below or above the knee, and really don't like tea lengths on me, they make me look stubby.  Shortening a dress can make it look much more modern and flattering sometimes.

What items do you gravitate towrds in thrift shops?

Cashmere sweaters, thin knit cardigans because I wear them a lot, silky little blouses, pencil skirts.  Sweaters are a big one for me. 

How would you describe your style?

Feminine and vintage, with a little modern mixed in.  I love clothing from the 30s and 40s but don't like to feel like I'm in costume, so I try to mix it up and modernize it a bit so it feels more wearable and relaxed.

Where do you find inspiration?

I love looking to the past, especially the 1940s war era.  I collect some vintage magazines and they are just wonderful.  It's amazing to me how many women sewed at that time.

I'm also inspired by what people wear on the street, so I'm addicted to street style blogs from cities around the world.  I carry a little moleskine notebook in my bag and jot little ideas and details all the time, especially when I travel.  Inspiration comes from anywhere, after all!



Sarai has kindly offered to give away two patterns to WR readers!  In the comments, simply let us know which of her patterns you like best, and we'll randomly draw two winners to receive the pattern of your choice.  Comments close July 8, 12PM EST.  Thank you Sarai!

Comments

[Paulina]

Eclair for me please!!

[mjb]

I'd love the pattern for the parfait dress.

[KathyG]

I love, love, love, love, love Parfait - and if you don't choose me, well, then ........ I'll have to buy it. There's no way around.
KathyG

[chez shoes]

Another Parfait lover here. Please please please!

[katy]

yet another fan of Parfait...!
if we had any spare cash it would be mine already.
<3

[Adelaide]

I love Chantilly!

[Karyn Cecele]

Beignet skirt, please! Love the high waist.

[Alice]

Parfait would be parfait for me!

[k a t]

Parfait please.

[Sophia]

I absolutely adore Parfait!

[Cindy]

I am a lurker of Sarai's blog and would love the beignet skirt pattern!

[sarah]

I Love chantilly!!!

[yahaira]

I love Sarai's style. She's so right about how desire can become destructive

macaron and beignet are my two favorites

[Jing]

shortening skirt is the best.

macaron is my favorite of her patterns!

[Kelly]

Parfait for me too! I can't wait to make it like three times. I am just waiting till I have extra spending cash. O_o

[Inky]

I love them all, but I think Beignet would look best on my figure, and then the lovely Parfait!

[Racheljm]

They're all fab but chantilly is the one i'd love to make!

[Anita]

I love the Macaron dress - especially as made up in the pattern pictures.

I think all the designs are great though, very feminine and flattering and with just the right touch of vintage about them.

[sushi pie]

I love how you describe your style as vintage but wearable and relaxed and not costume-ish. I feel the same way. I never pair a vintage 30's style with all vintage. It makes me feel like I am trying to hard or something like that. I want to try all your patterns! What I most need is a nice skirt so I'd love to have the beignet pattern if I am the winner.

xoxo,
sp

[Marion]

I've had my eye on Chantilly ever since I discovered your patterns!

[Sue]

Beignet. Love love love it.

[junita]

I, too, love the parfait pattern!

[Aimee Westcott]

Love the chantilly. How fun!

[Sherry]

They're all pretty but my favorite is really Eclair!

[sarah]

I've been saving up for Macaron and Parfait!