Monday 31 March 2014

March Indie Pattern Update!


It has been one busy month for all our favourite Independent Pattern Designers and there is a lot to catch up on! I may well have lost track of a few bits of news this month so if you can think of anything else please do point it out in the comments!

First up this month I wanted to share a little bit of love for By Hand London's newest venture. The girls have launched a Kickstarter campaign to enable them to buy their own digital fabric printer on which they are planning to print not only their own carefully curated collection of designs but our very own designs too! Right here in London! This is taking home dressmaking to the next level, giving us complete control of designing our own clothing; no more desperate hunting for the perfect print for a project! If you read my blog regularly you will know that I am a big fan of the By Hand London patterns and I can only imagine that their fabric printing ambitions will turn out just as fabulously. You've got until to pledge your support and get your hands on some seriously awesome goodies in the process! Find out more info on the BHL blog or watch their Kickstarter video.

New Pattern Companies


  • Caroline announced her new pattern company named after her blog Sew Caroline with a blog tour of her first pattern the Out and About Dress. Caroline was a contestant in the first season of Project Sewn and I am really looking forward to seeing what she has in store for us all in future.
  • Jennifer Lauren gave us all a look at her first pattern the Afternoon Blouse which is due for release at some point in April. I'm a big fan of Jennifer's style and all her vintage inspired makes and her unique look really shows in this first pattern.
  • Measure Twice/Cut Once are the new pattern company for undies on the block! They have just released a gorgeous collection of PDF knicker patterns which I want to try just about every single one of! Which are your favourite?

New Patterns


  • Thread Theory released the first pattern from their new Alpine Collection, which is going to include new plus sizes. The Comox Trunks look to be an amazing pattern for creating some professional looking pants for the men our lives (or yourself if you happen to be a male reader!). They also released the paper pattern of their Goldstream Peacoat which is very exciting, my fella may be getting a new coat next winter!
  • I was a lucky enough to be a pattern tester for By Hand London's newly released Flora Dress. It's another stunner of a pattern and a very straightforward sew, including options for a wrap bodice and 'mullet hem' which is a term I never think does justice to such a beautiful feature!
  • I love it when thought is put into the design of the back of a garment and the new Winifred Dress pattern from Blue Ginger Doll has a gorgeous detail in the back! 
  • I'm loving the look of a lot of the newly released Style Arc Patterns for March. Which are your favourites?
  • French pattern company Deer and Doe (whose patterns are also available in English) released the Anemone Skirt which is high waisted with two variations. One of them has a gorgeous peplum feature!
  • Melissa from Fehr Trade released the next pattern in her range of activewear designs; the Duathlon Shorts. The pattern comes with options for various lengths and looks great for a variety of sports.
  • Last month I totally missed the release of Republique du Chiffon's Georgina Dress, which I can't believe I managed to do as it's an absolute stunner!
  • Sinbad and Sailor announced the impending release of their next pattern, the Hepworth Dress so hopefully I'll be able to share more info on that with you next month!
  • Amanda from Kitschy Coo has released her next pattern the Trifecta Top. Another knit pattern, if it's got the same quality instructions as her Lady Skater Dress I can only imagine it will turn you into a t-shirt expert!


Sew-Alongs


  • Gertie's running a sew-along on her blog for her slip pattern which was recently released by Butterick. I think it will be a fantastic resource for tips for sewing underwear and nightwear. It starts tomorrow (April 1st) but you've still got time to get your supplies (there are even kits available in her Etsy shop) and catch up!
  • The Flora Dress sew-along starts on the By Hand London blog on 2nd April. This is a versatile pattern that will work in a such a wide range of fabrics that I literally cannot wait to see everyone's lovely versions!
  • The Blue Ginger Doll sew-along for the Winifred Dress has just finished but the posts are of course still available for you to follow. You have until April 10th to get yours sewn up and added to the Flickr group to enter the competition!
  • The Iconic Patterns Jess Jeans sew-along is underway. I'm really looking forward to seeing the results of this as I'd love to try my hand at making jeans soon.
  • Thread Theory featured an amazing tailoring series on their blog based around the construction of the Goldstream Peacoat. It's not so much a sew-along but it featured some fantastic tips for tailoring any pattern and is well worth a read.
  • They are also starting a sew-along for their new Comox Trunks pattern on April 4th complete with contest! I'm definitely going to be reading that one just to pick up some tips on working with stretch for underwear.
  • There's a sew-along running on the new Seamster Sewing Patterns blog for the Avocado Hoodie pattern. A fantastic way to pick up some tips on sewing a different item of clothing


Other Exciting News


  • Gather launched kits for their Tallis Collar pattern with fabric options including a polka dot and a fun leopard print. This pattern is also now available as a PDF pattern which I think is a great option for such a speedy and fun project.
  • Megan Nielsen provided us with a great round up of which of her patterns are now available as PDF downloads. Good news for all of you who have been waiting for some of these since the paper versions sold out.
  • Colette Patterns announced their big plans specifically focusing on sewing with knits. They are soon to be releasing a guide to sewing with knits and keep your eyes peeled on April 15th as they will be revealing two new knit patterns which will be going up to a size 3X (53" bust). Fantastic news for plus size seamstresses who love the Colette look.
  • Disparate Disciplines has been renamed Seamster Sewing Patterns and has a shiny new website and shop. Mari has also made some fantastic changes to the patterns including making the patterns easier to print worldwide as well as an A0 copy shop option and reformatting her instructions.
  • Iconic Patterns also have a new website and shop. Lena has got some great looking patterns coming up for release soon on there so keep your eyes peeled!
  • I was super excited when I spotted this bit of news. I'm in love with pretty much the entire collection of Named's patterns but have so far resisted purchasing any as I'm on limited sewing time. They have just revealed however that they are about to release paper versions which look stunning and that might just tip me over the edge!




And to finish things up as always here's a little bit of inspiration from around the sewing blogosphere!



28 comments:

  1. Brilliant round-up, thank you! I love all the new Style Arc patterns, I feel an order coming on.

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    1. Thanks Katie! They have such a huge selection of patterns that all look really wearable don't they?

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  2. Thanks for sharing all the updates! I missed some of these this month!

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    1. I feel like I've missed a lot this month! There were so many great things popping up all over the place!

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  3. Oh, thanks for the update!
    I read a LOT of sewing blogs, so I already knew about most things in this update, but I hadn’t seen Measure Twice/Cut Once yet and now I’d like to try their Charlotte knickers. Also, I hadn’t seen Clare’s Ailakki yet and I love it! I wasn’t that impressed when I saw it on the Named website while browsing their new collection and I still don’t really like their version, but Clare’s looks fantastic and I totally want that pattern now!

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    1. Clare made hers in a cotton moleskin I think which sounds like an awesome idea! It gives it that lovely matt texture and holds the shape really well. I'm very tempted by all the knicker patterns too!

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  4. I clocked the afternoon blouse yesterday. Swit swoo! Great round up too darl. So much exciting stuff woot.

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    1. Thanks love! It's a stunner of a blouse isn't it?!

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  5. I love these indie pattern reviews, thanks for taking the time to write them

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    1. You're very welcome Helen, I love putting them together!

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  6. I always look forward for the round up of sewing news because so much stuff going on... Thanks for the love on my coco...

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    1. You're welcome Rach, I just love your unique spin on it! It's been a busy indie month hasn't it?!

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  7. Super helpful, as always!

    I also just wrote a blog post collecting and comparing all the indie pattern sizes, if you're interested!

    http://cashmerette.blogspot.com/2014/03/one-stop-guide-to-sewing-pattern-sizes.html

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    1. O wow fantastic post Jenny! I know some readers were interested in this sort of info when I put together the Indie Pattern Designer page so I'll make sure to point them in your direction!

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  8. Thank you so much for including Measure Twice Cut Once in your monthly round up, we so appreciate all the support the amazing sewing community has given us.

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    1. You're so welcome! Congratulations on a beautiful first collection!

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  9. By crikey arent you the awesomest pool of information for all things indie THANK YOU!!

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    1. Haha! I'm sure I miss a lot every month but I just like to spread the word about how awesome all these ladies are!

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  10. I love the indie pattern round up - super useful! I am half-tempted by the Charlotte knickers, but don't know if I can be bothered making knickers - they are something only I would know I have done!! I like to show off my makes and I certainly won't be parading around in just my undies!!

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    1. Haha! Excellent point Lizzie! I'm easily put off by new techniques and so kind of fear sewing with so much elastic but these may help me overcome that!

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  11. This is my favourite monthly post. Have you checked out SewLadida [http://www.sewladidavintage.com/]. I'm feeling a pattern purchase coming on!

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    1. SewLaDida was pointed out to me just this month! (I think by Nissa) Their designs look to have gorgeous lines to them don't they? I think they'd really suit you Evie!

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  12. Thank you for shae the upadates!!! beautiful indie pattern!!!

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    1. You're very welcome! I hope you find some patterns you like!

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  13. If you can't wait for By Hand London to be printing on demand, you can get your own designs printed (just outside London) now, by Print me Pretty.

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    1. O wow thanks for letting me know! I'll be sure to share your details in future!

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  14. Thanks for the excellent recommendations! Some brilliantly crafty ladies floating around the blogosphere!

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    1. You're very welcome! All of these ladies totally deserve having their praises sung!

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