December Indie Pattern Update!

Well here we are with the final Indie Pattern Update of 2016! I had intended on blogging some of my backlog of completed projects over the festive period but I fell into enjoying a proper break and bit of downtime. I've been indulging in reading, movie-watching, puzzling, board-gaming with the family and other non sewing related activities and I must admit it has been nice to switch off for a little while. But now I'm back and raring to go with sewing projects for the year ahead and my latest projects will be filling your feed in January instead. I always find everyone's year round up posts really inspiring and the New Year is a great opportunity to make plans so to kick start yours here's all the new releases and news from the Indie Pattern world in December.

New Pattern Companies

• Sew It With Love launched their first sewing pattern this month; the Delia Top. Its a simple semi-fitted raglan knit top with the option to add a small peplum to the hem. It looks great made up in the striped jersey they've used for one of the samples.
• Trend Patterns also launched this month with an exciting range of four patterns including a cape, bomber jacket, dress with asymmetric hem and oversized sleeve top. Owner Lucy has put her creative pattern cutting experience in the fashion industry to good use to give us really unique styles. There is 25% off until Tuesday 3rd January.
• Thanks to Francesca, who just let me know in the comments about the existence of Hana Patterns who create clean and modern minimalist designs. Their first collection consists of three patterns and I like the look of the Yono Convertible Overalls in particular!

New Patterns

• Style Arc released the Bobbi Bomber Jacket which comes in a bundle with a free pattern for a Baseball Cap (individually $18 and $10). Also released in December was the Josie Hoodie, Imogen Knit Skirt and gorgeous Rosemary Blouse with twisted neckline detail.
• The two patterns released with this month's Seamwork Magazine are the Willie Tank Dress which has on-trend tiered ruffles and the Ida Knit Dress which is a classic figure hugging style with a boat neckline. 
• A few pattern companies gave us a Christmas treat with new free patterns available to download. The first of which is Straight Stitch Designs with the Bell Town Vest which is designed to be made in faux fur.
• Also free is the new Boho Ruffle Blouse from See Kate Sew. This seventies inspired design has a deep gathered peplum and cuffs and a ruffled feature across the bust.
• Lisa from The Avid Seamstress launched the adult version of her Raglan Top & Dress pattern after much clamouring after a grown up size of her children's dress. It has a lovely swingy shape and two pocket and sleeve length options to choose from.
• Ready To Sew released the Jane Shirt a really original design which I'd love to sew up just to figure out the constriction! It has a twisted front, no side seams and lovely little round collar.
• New from Di Nuvole Di Cuori is the Olivia Dress. Its a panelled knit dress with horizontal hip pockets creating interesting opportunities for colour blocking. 
• Fehr Trade's latest activewear pattern is the Knot-Maste Yoga Set. Melissa always finds away to make sportswear designs exciting with really interesting constriction details. This time around its the semi open back of the top which is tied at the waist and the little twisted knot details at the cuffs and hems.
• Hot Patterns released two new patterns this month; the HP1211 Weekender Swingy Sweatshirt and the HP1212 Fast & Fabulous Princess-Seamed Trackpants. I love the boho feel of the sweatshirt with those wide sleeves and neckline and would never have thought to try making the style of the dress variation in a stretch fabric. I'm intrigued!
• I appear to be all about the high necklines and turtle necks this winter and Wardrobe by Me has just released a cracking classic in the form of their Trudy Turtleneck Blouse. A straightforward sew in knits with two collar heights and 5 sleeve lengths to choose from.
• Schnittchen released the the Amy Parka; I love the oversized shape, longer length and deep pockets. Their second pattern release for the month is the Betty Top which is also available in plus sizes 48-56. It has big dropped shoulders which look great sewn up in neoprene or scuba.
• New from Wear Lemonade in December was the Thelma Cape. I love so many of their designs but am yet to try a pattern out; I think I need to make that one of my resolutions for 2017! The ideal opportunity to do just that may have presented itself in the form of their Christmas freebie PDF pattern for some beautiful classic Pyjamas from Princess Tam Tam! Get me to a fabric store!
• I absolutely love the style of the new Lazo Trousers from Thread Theory; their second womenswear pattern. Its not a style I would usually be drawn to, nor am I sure they would look great on me but I think its good to try new shapes once in a while! 
• So Zo... released her Dolores Maternity Dress pattern which is adapted from her popular Dolores Batwing Top. Specifically created to be worn during the third trimester of pregnancy it still has the easy to wear batwing shape and two sleeve options. 
• Lingerie sewing is topping my list of sewing goals for 2017 and Ohhh Lulu continues to tempt me with her new releases. The Ultimate Lace Thong & Panties and Claudia Panties patterns might be the ideal way for me to dip my toe in and get to grip with finer fabrics, lace and elastics. 
• Til The Sun Goes Down released the Ritz Pleat Dress; a classic 1930s design with a bias cut skirt and beautiful bodice with pleats that drape from the shoulder. I've long been an admirer of their vintage inspired prints and authentic vintage fabrics and this design is ideal to showcase a real beauty.
• I've been having a think about projects I could use up some of my smaller scraps for. I can never bear to throw away any amount of a beautiful fabric and seem to have amassed quite a collection over the last year. The new free Kitty Sleep Mask pattern from Ohhh Lulu could be a great stash buster for my precious silks.
• In The Folds released their third free pattern in collaboration with Peppermint Magazine. The Beach Coverup is a simple summer kaftan with split high low hem and waist ties. 
• The final free pattern offering of the month was the Harvest Apron from Jennifer Lauren Handmade. Its a little waist apron, either square or circular in shape with a gathered option. The pattern download includes full illustrated instructions. 
• Scroop Patterns released the Wonder Unders pattern which includes a slip, camisole and knickers. They are all designed to be made with knit fabrics and I'd love a slip made in silk jersey; how luxurious! 

Pattern Updates and Expansion Packs

• Sew Over It gave us a free pocket pattern piece for the popular and recently released Ultimate Pyjamas pattern. You can download the file from their blog post which includes the instructions for adding pockets to your trousers.
• By Hand London launched the updated version of the Elisalex Dress pattern which was one of their very first! It includes new bodice pattern pieces for the sleeved versions combined with new sleeve options for better fit. The skirt has also been reduced in both volume and length for a slightly subtler tulip shape. I may well give this design another whirl as I swapped out the skirt for a simple circle last time.

Sew-Alongs

• The is a sew-along coming soon from In The Folds for their gorgeous Acton Dress. This pattern is high up my wish list of summer sewing projects so I shall be keeping my eyes peeled for construction tips.
• The sew-along for the Grainline Studio Farrow Dress has just finished up over on the Grainline blog. As usual Jen has packed it with tips and techniques for achieving a professional finish. 

Upcoming!

• Cashmerette has a new pattern coming in January. Eyes peeled for this one, I'm wondering which hole in curvaceous ladies' wardrobes Jenny is going to be filling next!
• The patterns from Victoria Jones Collection are a new discovery to me, I love her range of beachwear and am definitely bookmarking these patterns for any potential future beach holidays! She is releasing a Ranch Shirt pattern in January.
• Schnittchen are looking for testers for their summer collection of patterns, most of which will be the designs that won their recent pattern design competition.
• Coming in the next few days from Pearl Red Moon at Boho Banjo will be the A Couple of Loopholes Dress. It has a really interesting sculptural skirt which I am intrigued by the construction of.
• The next Tilly and the Buttons pattern is named Zadie and we can expect its release in February! It sound like fun with the opportunity to play around with combinations of fabric.

This update seems a little lighter than it has done the last few months which I hoping is due to the independent pattern designers of the world taking a well earned break! I may have missed quite a bit during my own time off so please, as always, feel free to add in anything else you know of in the comments and I'll do my best to update the post. I'll leave you with a final bit of sewing inspiration from the blogging community. My heartfelt thanks go out to all my readers for the support you've shown me and this blog throughout 2016. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and heres to a 2017 jam packed with sewing!

• Tasha's western inspired Ginger Jeans are jaw-droppingly awesome! I love all the little changes she made to create her dream pair of jeans; that curved back yoke is something else!
• I was really inspired by Heather Lou's leather sleeved version of her Clare Coat pattern. She has such a great eye for putting fabrics and details together to make something wearable yet o so cool.
• Jenny from Cashmerette is an absolute festive delight in her burgundy version of her Appleton Dress pattern. I love the shape of this simple wrap, especially in a bold colour and it looks great on her.
• How gorgeous is the velvet that Helen used for her Seamwork Kennedy Dress? It was actually refashioned from an old skirt and I love her decision to use a plain black chiffon for the yoke.
• I love how the texture and rich colour of the gorgeous wool Peggy chose for her Jenna Cardigan brings interest and a luxurious feel to a classic, simple style. So cosy!