Aster: A Simplified Classic + 15% off through Friday
Meet Aster, a simplified classic with endless opportunity for variation.
Who doesn’t love the simple appeal of a button up? They are a classic for a reason, they easily transition from season to season, and they are a multi-purpose wardrobe staple. A good button-up shirt can take you from work to play.
Aster is a modern and simplified version of this iconic garment. The button-up style instantly lends a put-together quality to the blouse, while the v-neckline is universally flattering, and eliminates the fuss of a collar. Bust darts offer soft shaping, giving Aster its flattering body skimming fit.
This highly customizable pattern is perfect for an advanced beginner or an experienced sewist looking refine their skill set. With its semi-fitted shape, 3 mix-and-match versions, and a wide variety of fabric options, Aster can be made to wear during any season.
Version 1 has a short cuffed sleeve for a casual look you will want to wear all the time. Shown here in a raw silk (purchased locally)
Version 2 has skill building details like a pleated bodice, and a full length sleeve with a cuff and placket. Shown here in Robert Kaufman Dot Chambray in Indigo, purchased from Hawthorne Threads.
Version 3 features a delicate flutter sleeve that offers the blouse soft feminine ease. Shown in Cotton + Steel Gemstone Rayon, purchased from Hawthorne Threads.
Learn these 6 skills
When designing a new sewing pattern, we strive to create something that is versatile, beautiful, and highly teachable. In sewing Aster you can learn and perfect several details through the easy step by step instructions.
- Learn to sew a clean finish yoke
- Sew a sleeve placket with version 2.
- Finish a neckline with single-fold bias tape
- Learn to ease a sleeve into an armscye
- Sew a cuff
- Master a fold-under placket
Make your Aster one of a kind
Aster is highly customizable. Why don’t you try:
- Mixing and matching between the 2 bodice options and 3 sleeves.
- Use vintage or one of a kind buttons.
- Use self-made bias tape.
- Use a contrast yoke lining.
- Add contrasting top stitching.
Style Aster for every season
Aster can be made from a wide variety of fabric. This classic top can be worn year round- in the summer try version 3 out of a breezy rayon challis, and during cooler months, try version 2 in a cozy cotton flannel.
Versions 1 & 2
- Cotton poplin
- Cotton Lawn
- Chambray
- Swiss Dot
- Cotton or wool shirtings
- Cotton flannel
Version 3
- Cotton lawn
- Cotton voile
- Rayon or silk challis
- Chiffon
- Georgette
Through Friday (midnight PST) Aster is 15% off. Buy your copy today and and begin sewing this skill building, updated-classic. Stay tuned for the Aster sewalong coming soon!
Aster also can be found at these retailers:
Indie Stitches (AU)
SewSquirrel (AU)
Stitch 56 (AU)
Can Do Books (AU)
FabricsEtc (CA)
Needlework (CA)
Patch Halifax (CA)
Couture et compagnie (CA)
Gala Fabrics (CA)
Zugeknoepft (DE)
Santa Lucia Patterns (DE)
Urban Cut (DE)
So Couture (FR)
Cousette (FR)
Fifi Jolipois (FR)
Fabrics and Fancies (GB)
Guthrie & Ghani (GB)
Sewbox (GB)
Fabric Godmother (GB)
M is For Make (GB)
The Stitchery (GB)
The Sewing Parlour (GB)
Sew Contemporary (GB)
Halfpenny Home Haberdashery (GB)
Trixie Lixie (GB)
The Makery (GB)
Backstitch (GB)
Sew Natural (NL)
Naaipatronen (NL)
Bitu (SE)
DownTown Knits (US)
Brooklyn General Store (US)
Bernina of Oklahoma City (US)
Bolt (US)
Quilt Beginnings, Inc. – (US)
Picking Daisies (US)
Hawthorne Threads (US)
Pintuck & Purl (US)
Fabric Mart (US)
Silk Road Textiles – http://www.silkroadcincinnati.com (US)
Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics (US)
District Fabric (US)
Fiddlehead Artisan Supply (US)
Sew Biased Fabrics (US)
Birch Fabrics / Fabricworm (US)
Jones & Vandermeer (US)
Stitchology (US)
Hart’s Fabric (US)
Quilters Haven (US)
Britex Fabrics (US)
Fancy Tiger (US)
Treadle Yard Goods (US)
Mulberry Silks (US)
The Whole Nine Yarns (US)
Pattern Review (US)
Handcraft Workshop (US)
Nutmeg (US)
Sewn Mill Valley (US)
StitchCraft (US)
Rock Paper Scissors (US)
The Cloth Pocket (US)
Spool Of Thread (US)
The Needle Shop (US)
Modern Domestic (US)
Comments
Tracy
May 19, 2015 #
Oh, excellent! Thank you for offering a top. :)
heather
May 19, 2015 #
Yay! I’ll pick up a copy at Bolt next time I’m in Portland.
Roni arbel
May 19, 2015 #
What cup size is this pattern designed for?
Haley
May 19, 2015 #
Hi Roni! All of our patterns are drafted for a C cup. In the upcoming sewalong we will offer small and full bust adjustment tutorials.
Toni
May 31, 2015 #
Is there going to be an Aster Sewalong? When is it going to start?
Thanks! I know it’s a quick basic, but I’m interested in the SBA.
Haley
June 1, 2015 #
Hi Toni,
We will be announcing the Aster sewalong details in the upcoming month. Thanks following along!
nothylane
May 19, 2015 #
I love this pattern! There are so many fun things you can do with it – and it can be both casual and still wear it to work….Bravo!
Stephanie
May 19, 2015 #
I love the flutter sleeves! This is perfect for summer.
Joen
May 19, 2015 #
Can’t wait to get this pattern. I love the different sleeve variations.
Becky
May 19, 2015 #
I love it! In fact, I ordered Aster immediately and I’m looking forward to getting started on some summer blouses.
I rarely wear button-ups, but when I saw this pattern I realized that it’s not the buttons on a button-up that deter me from the overall look – it’s the usual collar! I love this collar-less design and thank you additionally for helping me better understand my own design preferences. ;)
Christy
May 19, 2015 #
Would you be able to make the neckline higher up? not so deep of a V?
Haley
May 19, 2015 #
Hi Christy, You could definitely raise the neckline. It’s a pretty easy modification. Just extend the shoulder line inward and redraw the neckline to the desired shape. Keep in mind, additional buttons will need to be added as well.
Alex
May 19, 2015 #
I love your new pattern presentation, based on skills rather than difficulty levels! Ahead of the curve again, I see! Well done!
FT Haskett
May 19, 2015 #
New PATTERN!!!! who doesn’t like a classic that is modern and easy to sew.
Angela
May 19, 2015 #
I ordered it as soon as I saw it – LOVE this! I nice simple button-up with variations, but not requiring the making of collar. Making a collar is still a “skill I want to master” and WILL – but I really like this shirt without a collar – and the sleeve options.
And, totally just my opinion here, I like the offering of a shirt. While I think the dresses/skirts are fine, I just don’t wear them often – while a shirt like this would definitely become a regular part of my wardrobe.
Hillary
May 19, 2015 #
I like this a lot! I can’t quite tell whether the angle of the V is steeper than Hawthorn or not?
I finished an Adelaide last weekend and so it’s also very much in my mind how flattering these trademark Colette narrow many-buttoned plackets can be also!
Pistol
May 19, 2015 #
Love those hats! Where from?
Haley
May 20, 2015 #
The hat is a vintage piece provided by our Art Director, Christine.
Janette
May 20, 2015 #
I’m so excited – bought the pattern and printed it – now for the fabric shopping :-)
Sandra
May 20, 2015 #
Looks like a simple but classic top with soooooo many possibilities.
Dara
May 20, 2015 #
Very cute,Colette!!
Hannah
May 20, 2015 #
I love it! It’s so beautiful and simple. I don have a kind of random question though: What brand of jeans is your model wearing? They seem to actually go up over the bellybutton which is whatI have been searching for for ages and can’t find!
Haley
May 20, 2015 #
Hi Hannah,
These are the Elizabeth jeans by Imogene+Willie. They come in a few washes and are so flattering and well made!
CC
May 20, 2015 #
I love this pattern! Just ordered it! I have been looking for a pattern that I can vary a lot to make tops for work, where I have to dress up a bit, but that also work for nursing – this is perfect!
Will there be a sewalong? Also do you think it would be possible to make it sleeveless without altering the pattern (e.g. just use bias tape to finish the arm holes)?
Haley
May 20, 2015 #
Hi CC, because of the relaxed fit, the armscye is larger. In order to make this a sleeveless style the armscye would need to be raised and an additional dart added.
Laura
May 20, 2015 #
I was so excited when I first saw this and ordered it right away. I’m working my way through Wardrobe Architect right now, and this top fits my style exactly! I love that I’ll be able to use it for such a range of looks. Now I’m having the struggle of whether or not to bump it above the Mabel skirt to the top of my to-sew list!
Thanks so much for the wonderful pattern!
Teresa Ward
May 20, 2015 #
Mama is losing weight rapidly, and not wanting to live in tee-shirts for the next six months. This looks like it is right up my alley! Thank you!!!
Emma
May 20, 2015 #
First, let me say that I have been a big fan of Colette Patterns from the beginning. I have sewed and loved so many of your patterns and find myself turning to this site as my ultimate online resource for sewing information.
However, I have to say that for the first time that I can remember, I’m not really jazzed about this pattern. There have been other new pattern releases in the past that haven’t been my style, but always included some elements that I could appreciate (even if I didn’t intend to make it for myself). For some reason, this one doesn’t make me as excited as the rest of Colette’s detailed, feminine, and thoughtful designs.
If I’m being totally honest, I miss the old days of Colette – when the blog postings were more personal and more frequent and the new patterns blew me away every time. Part of me wonders whether the launch of Seamwork has taken time away from the blog and the traditional paper patterns — though it’s still obviously very early days for the magazine.
Anyway, just my two cents — sorry for being a downer. I love Colette and think it’s such an impressive company, but I wanted to voice my thoughts as a longtime loyal customer.
thecuriouskiwi
May 20, 2015 #
I miss the old Colette days too. When the patterns had interesting seams and vintage inspiration. We’re not all beginners! Inspire and challenge us. I look to indie designers for designs that are different and exciting. This just too “Big 4” to me.
Paige @ Very Paige
May 21, 2015 #
I do miss the more vintage aesthetic of Colette. They seem to be heading towards a much more modern and minimalist style than before.
Michelle
May 22, 2015 #
I’ll preface my comment by saying that I consider myself to be a solidly intermediate sewist who enjoys challenging myself and expanding my skillset.
I actually like the design of the Aster (it’s very much an every day summer/transitional blouse that I would wear), but I’ll echo that I was disappointed that this was the first pattern released since the launch of Seamwork.
I guess I’d had my expectations unrealistically set when Seamwork was announced that one of the blog posts here hinted that Seamwork would focus largely on your quick-to-sew everyday basics, and the actual Colette pattern line would start to integrate more complex and advanced patterns. Geez, I would kill for a more intermediate/advanced pattern with interesting details but the detailed instructions of your typical Colette pattern!
To me, the Aster is more of the type of design that I’d expect from Seamwork. I was hoping for something less basic from the post-Seamwork Colette line.
Gina
May 20, 2015 #
Do you think this pattern has enough ease for someone used to wearing knits? I’m afraid to try a wowen top thinking I’ll end up feeling strangled and uncomfortable.
Haley
May 20, 2015 #
Hi Gina,
This garment has ample ease and is designed to have a relaxed fit. Maybe try sewing it in a woven fabric with a small amount of spandex or lycra, so the fabric offers a bit of give.
dani
May 20, 2015 #
How lovely! Do you think I could adapt these sleeves to Adelaide? They have almost the same shape, and I was just think how great Adelaide would look with short sleeves…
Haley
May 20, 2015 #
Hi Dani!
An armscye drafted for sleeveless garments are typically much higher and tighter than an armscye drafted for sleeves. Sometimes a sleeve can work on another pattern, the best way to check would be to lay the Adelaide pattern over the Aster and compare the depth and size to see if they are similar enough. In this particular case I believe pattern modifications would have to be made to the bodice in order to accommodate a sleeve.
Thanks for the question!
Kate
May 20, 2015 #
I want to say how excited I am for Aster–While I’ve been a fan of your company for a while now, I’m a BIG fan of the direction it seems that Colette is taking as of late–towards more modern patterns that are stylish and also learner-friendly! Thanks for this versatile design.
Lisette
May 20, 2015 #
I have to say I agree with Emma above. It is one thing to have beginner patterns like the Moneta but this design looks shapeles, lackluster and unfinished to me. I miss the elaborate, unique patterns of the early days.
Lyndsey
May 21, 2015 #
I really love this new pattern. I love the details and the versatility. I also love that each of separates tops have a really unique look.
I’m not sure how this silhouette will look on my body shape (curvy pear) but I am excited about learning the new techniques so I will be sewing one up!
MJ
May 21, 2015 #
Just made my purchase!
I’ve personally been loving the new direction Colette has been taking lately – clean, modern and timeless designs. Keep up the good work!
maia
May 22, 2015 #
Do you think I can make the same fit adjustments as I’ve done to Violet blouse straight away or should I make a new muslin?
Haley
May 22, 2015 #
Chances are, you may make very similar adjustments, but we always recommend making a muslin to be sure.
Anna Gerard
May 23, 2015 #
Was a small bust adjustment done on the ones the model is wearing? To me, she doesn’t look like a C cup. I need a SBA, so that’s why I’m wondering. Can you tell what size the model is wearing?
Thank you!
Haley
May 27, 2015 #
The model is wearing a size 2. Her bust is only slightly smaller than a C, so no adjustments were made. The relaxed fit of Aster is very forgiving, but we will definitely be including a SBA tutorial in the sewalong.
annie
May 24, 2015 #
J’aime ASTER
Ma question : je viens de télécharger Aster et je ne trouve pas pour quelle taille (hauteur de femmes) il convient ?
si quelqu’un peut me répondre, merci
Haley
May 27, 2015 #
You can find the size chart and finished garment measurements on the first page of the instructions. The back length will help you to determine the lengths of the finished garment.
annie
May 26, 2015 #
bonjour
le patron aster va à une femme de quelle taille = mesure de la tête aux pieds
merci et bonne journée
annie
Georgia
May 27, 2015 #
I just got the pattern yesterday. Read through the instructions tonight… I’m super confused about the front button placket instructions. There’s not a lot of images there and I’m a visual person. When can we expect some sort of sew along or tutorial for this pattern?
Haley
May 28, 2015 #
Hi Georgia!
We will be announcing the sewalong shortly. Thank you for you feedback.
Celine
May 31, 2015 #
Just like some of the ones above, I have been disappointed by Aster… very (too) simple and without the unique nice details that are the characteristics of Colette Pattern to me… I just hope that for the next one there will be more challenge for intermediate/advanced sewers: we are not all looking for 2-hours-to-make patterns…
Maggie Gibson
June 6, 2015 #
I am part-way through making this blouse. Unfortunately I cannot buy the 1/4″ singlefold bias tape which is specified for the neck edging. How wide do I need to cut a piece of fabric on the bias to make my own edging?
I am a reasonably experienced dressmaker and this is my first Colette pattern. I must say that so far I am not overly impressed with the instructions – and I have only got as far as the cutting out so far.
Haley
June 8, 2015 #
Hi Maggie,
To make single fold 1/4 bias tape you will want to cut your stripes into widths of 1/2″. I highly recommend a bias tape maker when creating your own bias tape. It makes the folding a pressing so easy!
https://www.fabric.com/buy/0334100/clover-bias-tape-maker-1-4
Thank you for your valued feedback.
Anna
June 10, 2015 #
I’ve just finished the yoke construction and am dissapointed to find that the back or front (depending on how you look at it) is wrong side up. I’d appreciate it if you’d corect the instructions. Otherwise I love the pattern.