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!

• Julie from Jolies Bobines stunning Georgina Dress from Republique du Chiffon. I just love the double neckline at the back!
• Clare from Sew Dixie Lou's insanely awesome Ailakki Jumpsuit from Named. This pattern is awesome and so perfect for Clare's recent trip to NYC. (Jealous? Me?)
• Ping from Peneloping's gorgeous Skaterfrew mash up of Sewaholic's Renfrew and the Lady Skater pattern from Kitschy Coo. I'm loving all the combinations of these patterns I've seen recently and love the fabric Ping chose.
• Sew Busy Lizzy's beautiful Flora 'Nightshade' Dress from By Hand London. Wow. She has used that pattern perfectly and the skirt looks so wonderfully full lined.
• Rachel from House of Pinheiro's amazing second version of Coco from Tilly and the Buttons. I love those contrast sleeve pieces, Rachel has such great imagination when it comes to putting her own spin on patterns!