sometimes you’re just going along, sewing stuff because you love to, linking to your fabric and pattern sources, the usual blogging bit, not expecting anything amazing to come of it.
and sometimes something amazing comes of it.
back when i sewed the breezy green eyelet tunic as a guest tutorial for kojodesigns, i linked to Britex Fabrics in San Francisco as my source. it really is a wonderland of fabric, and this year i was lucky enough to travel to SF twice (once for work, once for an overdue birthday trip with my husband). both times, Britex was a stop i knew i had to make. i actually felt a little out of my element there – there are SO many gorgeous high-fashion apparel fabrics, my head spun with ideas. i picked up a few selections and used the green eyelet for the tunic, with the rest squirreled away.
Britex noticed my post. and a little while back, they contacted me wondering if I’d be interested in a sponsorship/collaboration to help make people aware of their blog and help promote upcoming sales. i jumped at the chance.
they run monthly sales on certain fabric categories, and their sale fabric in January is wool (and wow do they have some amazing wool!). they asked if i could sew something out of Britex wool that they could show in their newsletter and post about on their blog. the newsletter comes out January 1 and the sale starts that day too, but my guest post on the Britex blog is up today – right here! go check it out!
i made a cape for Em using this gorgeous midweight peacock blue wool on the outside, and this beautiful cotton voile on the inside. in person, it’s especially rich-looking.
the cape pattern…that’s another exciting bit. i guess i’ve linked to Oliver + S enough times that Liesl Gibson, the owner, took notice of that too. i’m now an every-so-often contributor to their blog (my first post was here), but she also offered to send me a few of the upcoming patterns to show how they could be made right at release, before inspiration starts showing up in the flickr pool. so fun. can’t wait to show you more in the next few months.
this is the upcoming Forest Path Cape, sewn in a 4T. it will be available as a “singles” digital pattern for children (6 months – 12 years) AND adults in mid-January (now available for purchase!). it’s a really unique and modern take on a cape, and would be a very quick and easy sew if i wasn’t so dang nervous about cutting into the glorious imported wool and voile that Britex sent over (which made me take twice as long to sew it)! hehe. you can read more about the cape over at the Britex blog and more about the cape patterns on the Oliver + S blog.
for those visiting from Britex, i promised i’d talk about the leggings and shirt underneath, too.
the leggings are the Figgy’s sunki pattern. i sewed them in a 4/5 and shortened them just a bit. they’re actually made from my husband’s old merino wool sweater (the body of the sweater, not the sleeves) and sewed up in a flash. they are SO soft and warm on her and i love how they complement the peacock blue wool of the cape.
the shirt underneath, you may recall if you’ve been reading a while, is the figgy’s ayashe, sewn in Nani Iro double gauze. this is what the shirt looks like…
and my full post is right here.
i’m just beyond thrilled to have both of these companies, whose products i admire so much, approach me with such fun and exciting opportunities. really guys, i’m in disbelief.
hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are coasting out the week until New Year’s!
skirt as top 
wow – amazing cape, shirt, and leggings. I hadn’t heard of Britax and am going to check out their blog now. Congratulations on your new collaborations!
You are on fire, girl!!! Wool leggings? Wool capes? Wool on sale? Now you’ve got my head spinning!! Would it be wrong to make myself some wool leggings? Probably, especially after the holiday feasting I’ve been doing! Stick to kid clothes, Stef….
wool wool wool! cozy galore. you should definitely do that. 😉
Wow! Can I first say how incredibly proud I am of you? This is all such fantastic news!
And now on to your lovely sewing projects! That cape is too cute and blue wool is a really great choice.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to check out your guest posts 🙂
Thanks Carolyn! ((HUGS))
Congratulations, Kristin! You’ve certainly earned your place in the spotlight. I look forward to seeing what you’re up to with these two amazing collaborations!
Own it girl!! You are amazing. They are lucky to have you.
Congrats on all the exciting announcements; looking forward seeing what projects you come up with next!
Congrats on the exciting news! Looking forward to seeing what projects you come up with next!
Awesome news on all fronts! Look forward to all your creations…. You are truly talented and inspiring. 🙂
Geez, Erin, thanks!! 🙂
Congratulations, Kristen! Your talent deserves the recognition.:) I love the color of the wool cape…so pretty on your little girl.
So excited for you Kristen – just beyond cool. For lack of a better go-get-em cheer – You Go Girl! Lol, seriously though, congratulations!!!
Hahaha thanks cheerleader Jess!
Great collaborations, I’m impressed! I knew I had seen that cape before and couldn’t figure it out, I finally realized that Liesl had given us a sneak preview at the Heather Ross sewing Weekend in October. Looks like a great pattern.
Ahhh that’s so cool! Yeah I can’t wait to see the adult lady version too. Seems like it can look so different depending on the fabric and styling.
Eeek! Exciting! You’re the coolest person I know!! 🙂
Haha oh stoppit. 🙂
beautiful pieces, kristin! love the colors you chose. and SUCH exciting news – congrats!! 🙂
Congratulations :):) Very well deserved!!! You are soooo creative and talented!!!!!
How on EARTH did you come up with the perfect color of leggings to compliment that AMAZICAL blue cape?!?! Hehe, I kid. You are the coolest. I’m with Danielle, own it, no disbelief from anyone else around here!
I DUG THROUGH MY HUSBAND’S DONATE PILE YOU SHOULD SEE MY SEWING ROOM FLOOR RIGHT NOW!!! 😉 And thank you.
I am so beyond proud of you!!!! Good work mama!
Aw, congrats! Everything is beautiful! Why wouldn’t they grab you up!?
Wow, those fabrics really are beautiful and you know that I am so happy, excited, and proud of my amazingly talented friend! oh, and it was nice seeing you from your sidewalk today. 🙂 Sorry for the very (very) quick drop-off! Would love to hang out sometime soon and in the meanwhile will continue stalking my favorite blog. 🙂
Aw thanks, Kim! So glad to see you too, wish you weren’t all sick! Hope you rest up and we can get a proper visit very soon. Oh and the biscotti is SO GOOD. Thank you!!
Yay! Congrats!
Whaaaa! So excited for you! That cape is stunning!
Beautiful work. I love that cape. And congratulations… most deserved!
That cape is AMAZING!! Love the color and more tight shape. Great shirt too.
You really deserve it! Your blog is a cut above the rest (ahem). I love Britax and hope to make my very first Oliver + S next year.
That cape is great! I love the fabric on the inside.
❤ Melissa
wildflwrchild.blogspot.com
Congratulations! How fun! Everything looks fantastic!
You are amazing. I am not at all surprised that companies have taken notice of your sewing skills. You’re so talented. It’s all breathtaking!
Congratulations Kristin, the cape and wool are the perfect combination, it’s like these opportunities were meant to come along together. Like other people have said you totally deserve it.
love love!!! you’re amazing girl! You totally deserve requests from those companies. Excited to see the other projects you’ll be making too. 🙂
Congratulations! This is huge!! Kind’ve like being picked up by an all-star sports team:) I’ve been to Britex a few times also, and like you, wandered around with the eyes as big as saucers wondering where to start. The wool they sent you looks beautiful – and so perfect sewn up as a cape. Not just any cape, but an O & S cape – how exciting!
We are super excited to be collaborating with you. The cape came out beautifully!
beautiful blue cape. so excited for you on your new collaberations!
Ooh, I used to live in SF and loved britex! And how cool that you are collaborating with Oliver+s! The cape and shirt and leggings are all spectacular, Kristin. Gorgeous fabrics, gorgeous patterns!
It’s so weird, but I thought I left a comment on here this morning and now I don’t see it! Anyway, the whole outfit is really cute. Sophisticated! I’m sure she feels like a total lady in it. And you are way too cool now. Pretty soon you’ll be on project runway.
congratulations! Amazing since I always love the beautiful things you make- I still want to make an ayashe after first gaze of your’s. Love it!
congratulations kristin what amazing opportunities for you! Well deserved too, of course!
It is gorgeous! Wow.
What a great oppportunity Kristin. i’m not surprised as you are so talented! Love those pieces too.
I just love the cape, absolutley stunning. Congratulations on getting sponsors!
I love the cape!