Independent pattern designers

Hot Patterns Superfantastic Shirt

18/01/201905/10/2017 by Wendy

So I sewed this shirt up about two years ago ….. and didn’t like it. The fit seemed off, and the fabric not quite right. I’m not sure to be honest. So it hung on the back of the door unloved until I could be bothered figuring it out. Recently, someone in the Hot Patterns … Read more

Seasonal Sew Wardrobe Sewalong

18/01/201931/05/2016 by Wendy

One of the Facebook groups I belong to is a Sewalong group. They have previously done a monthly sewalong of a specific pattern, but earlier this year put forward a wardrobe sewalong.

The start date and format were similar to a Pattern review contest, but rather than the 2 month time frame over there, this sewalong had a more sensible (to me) four month time frame.

The general premise was that in the time period you sew up 8 pieces that can be worn with each other. No orphan garments here please!

I started with a big list of patterns that wanted to make, and then loosely decided that I would follow a 2 dresses, 2 tops, 2 bottoms, 2 toppers plan to make up my wardrobe.
I also decided I would like to try and make it all from stashed patterns and fabric.

Style Arc Toni Designer Dress / Maven French Dart Shift Dress

Itch to Stitch Hepburn Turtleneck / Hot Patterns Breton Tee

Sewing Rabbit Cowl Sweatshirt / Swoon Scarf Neck Cardigan

Trousers from my trouser block / Style Arc Allison Skirt

With a few patterns swapped in and out over the course of the sewalong, I finished up my 8 piece wardrobe and kept to the plan!

All of the fabric is from my stash, and only one of the patterns, the French Dart Shift, was purchased after the sewalong began, so I’m calling that a win!!

This has been a fun experience, and these pieces are already getting a good workout in my wardrobe.

Style Arc Allison Skirt

29/05/2016 by Wendy

I recently made up the Allison skirt by Style Arc, a pattern I’ve had in my stash for a while. I was intrigued by how the pleats were made so they weren’t bulky. When I finally got to printing out the pattern, I have to say the pattern pieces are odd looking!While it wasn’t at … Read more

Style Arc Mindi Skirt

21/05/2016 by Wendy

Waayyy back, last winter, on our Sewing Retreat I tested out a bunch of patterns, including the Style Arc Mindi Skirt. I went with the longer length, and decided not to insert the pocket zips, but otherwise as drafted. As has been my experience with all the Style Arc patterns I have made, this went … Read more

Hot Patterns 2003 Weekender Breton Tee

18/01/201914/05/2016 by Wendy

This is a pattern I first tried a really long time ago, and then never got around to making again with the slight adjustments I decided would benefit it. I pulled it again recently, after having found a nice striped fabric that I thought suited it. The adjustments I made were to go down a … Read more

Swoon Scarf Neck Cardigan

30/04/2016 by Wendy

At a recent sewing day, one of the ladies made the Swoon Scarf Neck cardigan and was kind enough to let me try it on.As we are a similar size, it fit beautifully! Coincidentally, I have had this pattern downloaded and printed for a while, but had never got to sticking it together.This pattern is … Read more

Itch to Stitch Hepburn Turtleneck

23/04/2016 by Wendy

When Kennis, the designer behind Itch to Stitch released her latest patterns, I was quite keen on the idea of the Hepburn Turtleneck. I selected my size as recommended in the instructions, and went merrily on my way with a remnant of merino.The pattern pieces went together as intended, and the instructions were clear and … Read more

Maven Patterns – French Dart Shift Dress

17/04/2016 by Wendy

I had been contemplating options from my stash for a new dress for my Mum’s birthday party, and then came across the Maven Patterns French Dart Shift. All stashed patterns went out the window. I was hopeful the french darts would lend some subtle shaping to the waist while still keeping all the wonderfully comfortable … Read more

Cake Patterns – Carmine Jacket

18/01/201920/03/2016 by Wendy

A few months ago I was chatting to one of the ladies at our Fabric Hoarders sewing Sunday, and she was lamenting the fact that she had all sorts of lovely garment fabrics and patterns, but was not getting around to using them. She mentioned a particular pattern, the Cake Carmine, was one she had … Read more

Jalie 2565 – Singlet Top

05/03/2016 by Wendy

In my sew-cation I gave myself over the Christmas break, I wanted to try finding a good singlet top pattern. As this is an item of clothing I wear most days, my current RTW ones are getting a bit tatty looking. I have a good selection of Jalie patterns, and found a couple of options … Read more