January Indie Pattern Update!

I can't believe that its already time for the first of these posts for 2017. And boy is it a whopper for you. I hope you put the kettle on before you sat down and started on this one as its going to take a while! Not only has there been a huge amount going on within the independent pattern design community there have been some truly beautiful releases this month. Let's hope that this is a sign of things to come for the rest of the year. Enjoy!

New Patterns

• This month's releases with Seamwork Magazine from Colette were the Jane Crew Neck T-Shirt (a real classic) and Margo Pencil Skirt which features on trend side slits.
• Style Arc's first wave of January releases were all about tops. The patterns included the Fran Knit Top, Isabella Top, Juliet Woven Shirt and Annika Top. Later in the month they also releases the Alissa Knit Dress which features a lovely draped swag to the skirt and the Natasha Woven Pants which might be just what I need to make some cropped culottes. 
• Boho Banjo released the A Couple of Loopholes pattern. So in keeping with the unique style of the rest of her designs this is a draped dress with two clever tubes or holes at the waistline creating a sculptural effect. I'm so intrigued by the construction of this one!
• Itch to Stitch released the Paro Cardigan. Its a lovely thigh length flowing style which is super flattering because of the fitted waist, the flare being created by small pleats.
• Jenny from Cashmerette launched the Harrison Shirtdress pattern which is actually a development of her popular Harrison Shirt as there were so many requests for a similar shirtdress. I can see this being a hugely popular classic for plus sized ladies.
• New from Wear Lemonade is the Simona Blouse. I love that combination of little collar and optional pussy bow; a style I might have to try out this season.
• Wardrobe By Me had a busy month releasing not only the Daisy Dropped Shoulder Blouse for curvy sizes and the men's Bram Raglan T-Shirt but also the Aster Jersey Dress; I love the boat necked variation of this but it comes with two heights of turtleneck too.
• Sarah from OhhhLulu Lingerie released the Mina Garter Belt pattern and also the Cora Elastic Strap Garter Belt which is a tutorial on how to make five styles of garter out of elastic. If you fancy giving it a try the v shaped lace style is actually free!
• Paddleboat Studio released the Mitchell Dress and Jumpsuit. Its a wrap style, with two wide side panels which wrap to the front. I particularly like this on the jumpsuit and the wide cropped leg look.
• The Sybil Robe is the latest pattern from Greenstyle Creations. It looks to be a very versatile pattern which can be used to make a really cute robe or actually even dresses in the wrap style. I love being able to see all the tester versions on the listing.
• There were three new patterns from Opian Patterns in January; the Makalu Dress and Top (which looks great styled with a big necklace), Ortles Snood and Surimani Turban. They're all suited to beginners and I love the idea of making your own accessories too!
• Chalk and Notch released the Women's Waterfall Raglan pattern. Its a relaxed knit top or dress with a gathered peplum.
• Kommatia Patterns added a couple of new patterns to their growing collection of youthful and on trend styles. January's additions included a midi length jersey dress and the Pinafore Skirt with zip pockets; I love the shape of the back bib on this.
• Style Sew Me released the Janelle Skirt; a faux wrap, below knee style with a dramatic thigh high split! I like it sewn in a more casual fabric like the denim which looks great on the model.
• The new release from Orange Lingerie has got me wishing I had some lingerie sewing experience under my belt already. The Esplanade Bra is a longline strapless style and I have a newfound motivation to work up to sewing something that beautiful! 
• For those of you who might be interested in a bit of bag sewing Noodlehead have just released the Explorer Tote. It has lots of pockets (which is my favourite thing in a bag) yet still maintains a clean look with flap top, two sizes and optional long detachable strap.
• Hot Patterns released the HP1213 Deco Vibe Gatsby Cardigan-Jacket and Gilet. Designed for stable knits its a semi fitted wrap style packed with lovely design details including a two piece sleeve and optional faux fur collar.
• I love it when patterns have a good number of variations or ways to make them your own and the new Designer Stitch Bridget Top excels at that with seven different statement sleeves. They can be bought in sets of long or short sleeves.
• Decades of Style have just launched a trio of stunning 1920s inspired patterns; the 2005 Baltimore Dress, 2006 Sugar Coat and 2007 Isabella Dress. I am absolutely mesmerised by the way the coat moves; described as a fabric petal 'fringe' all those half circles make for a stunning effect. 
• New from Hey June Handmade is the Tallinn Sweater. It features an asymmetrical cross over front with either a cowl or turtleneck. I love the front edge trimmed with leather on the pattern sample.
• Sew Over It released their first PDF pattern of the year. The Nancy Dress is a 1960s inspired swing dress with three quarter length sleeves and lovely single button fastening at the nape of the neck. I want to live in dresses like this and will admit to already having fabric bought and pre-washed for my first one!
• Closet Case Files launched the Ebony T-Shirt & Dress Pattern. Its a basic knit top and dress with a swingy, fluid shape which would be ideally suited to using some gorgeous viscose and bamboo jerseys for!
• The Slouchy Beanie is the new Blank Slate Patterns design that can work for anyone from baby to fully grown men! I made a couple of beanie hats on new years day and they are such satisfying project when you're not in the mood to get into anything too complex or lengthy.
• See Kate Sew released her first pattern in a while that has been designed for women. The Rachel Babydoll Top/Tunic/Dress is gathered onto a flat yoke and features ruffled bell sleeves.
• One of the last releases of the month was the Wanted T-Shirt from Vanessa Pouzet. To be honest I would have thought there was nothing more a t-shirt pattern could offer as there are such a plethora of knit top patterns available online but this is a stunner that has absolutely earned a place on my wish list. That deep square neckline is super sexy. Currently only available in French.

Pattern Updates and Expansion Packs

• Jennifer Lauren Handmade released an expansion pack to turn her Gable Top pattern into a dress. The pack includes new bodice, skirt and pocket pattern pieces to add a gathered or pleated skirt onto the close fitting knit top.
• Skinny Bitch Curvy Chic updated their Bronx Dress pattern. There are new cowl neck and elbow length sleeve options.

Sew-Alongs

• Over the course of the last month Jennifer Lauren posted a tutorial series for her Auden Cardigan pattern, thoroughly covering common fitting adjustments for this men's garment.
• Sarah from OhhhLulu has been running a fantastic sew-long over on her blog for sewing a three piece lingerie set. It's packed with tips on handling all those unusual lingerie components like elastics and lace and is set to round up in time for Valentine's Day.
• Jenny from Cashmerette posted about adding sleeves to the Harrison Shirtdress. Its not quite as straightforward as using the sleeves from the shirt pattern as the dress has been drafted with a smaller sleeveless armhole but the post guides you through how to make that work.
• To accompany their new trio of patterns Decades of Style have just started a sew-along for the Baltimore Dress. All those classic 1902s diagonal seam lines mean a lot of working on the bias so I'm sure all tips will be appreciated!  

Upcoming!

• The first release of the year from Tilly and the Buttons is named Zadie and should be with us in the next week.
• Tessuti also have a pattern on the way this week in the form of the Iris Dress. All I could tell from the Instagram sneak peak was that there's a maxi length and potential colour blocking involved!
• The next pattern from Jennifer Lauren Handmade will be the Juniper Cardigan. Its currently being tested.
• Pearl Red Moon over at Boho Banjo patterns has the Two Pegs Dress coming soon. Its a shift dress with squared or rounded colour blocked panels down one side and a pegged hem.
• Megan Nielsen also has a new pattern in the works called Rowan. I've loved her last two so can't wait to see this one!
• The next release from new pattern company Trend Patterns will be the first in their basics range including a pleat front trouser and top with frilled hem.
• There's a new underwired bra pattern coming from Cloth Habit soon. After the success of there Watson Bra I've got high hopes for this one and really need to get my act together and get some lingerie sewing supplies together!
• Waffle Patterns are working on a pattern for slim tapered pants with various pocket options.
• In The Folds is currently testing their next pattern; the Collins Top. It looks like next month is going to a be a big one for pattern releases too doesn't it!
• Lisa from Sew Over It gave us a fab little look at what the coming year might hold for the company on her vlog. We should be seeing their Eve Dress, Elsie Dress and 1940s Wrap Dress released as paper patterns throughout the year!
• Jenni Smith will be releasing her very first pattern in March. The Hepworth Apron is currently being taught as a class in her studio and will be available as both a PDF and paper pattern.

Other Exciting News

• Sally from Capital Chic Patterns launched a new feature on her website which I'm absolutely in love with! Called the Outfit Designer it offers up templates of all the Capital Chic patterns so you can play around with colour and even upload an image of the fabric print you are thinking of using. You can change hair style, colour and skin colour and even play around with colour blocking too!
• The Moneta Party is running until February 22nd on Instagram. Celebrating sewing with knits and in particular the Colette Moneta Dress pattern, you can win prizes for making and posting your own version!
• Sew Over It launched their PDF Club. As they are planning to release lots of PDF designs this year you can now get membership to the club which offers you early access to each new design plus 10% off. At £5 for the year including a free choice of pattern when you sign up you can't go wrong. They also have a new 'Intro to Coats' online class coming next month.
• Heather Lou from Closet Case Files launched a new online workshop called 'Sew Your Dream Jeans'. I adore both pairs of jeans I've made so far (the Ginger and Mia patterns) but I do feel like I've started on a whole new long winded adventure of making my perfect pair! Perhaps this course will help. The workshop officially launches on February 20th but is on pre-sale at 15% off now.
• The Maker's Atelier is releasing a book! Called The Essential Collection it will be released on February 9th. I'm a huge fan of their simple, well cut silhouettes so can't wait to see what patterns are included.
• In House Patterns is soon to launch the next in their line of courses on how to draft your own blocks. This one focuses on making your own Custom Stretch Knit Bodice.

Phew! That's a lot to take in and I'm sure both my sewing queue and pattern wish list have doubled in length since I started writing it! As always feel free to leave any news I may have missed in the comments below and I'll leave you with a handful of the indie sewing projects that have caught my eye in the online sewing community over the last month.

• There were Toaster Sweaters popping up all over the place in January but I think my favourite of the lots was Sara's. She combined elements of the two variations and used a lightweight knit resulting in a totally different look.
• Heather Lou's dreamy Liberty print Bolyston Bra has reignited my desire to get on with my own lingerie making. Why buy shop bought bras when you can make such beautiful ones that fit right?!
• London has been going through a bit of a cold snap and Sonja's Plaid Farrow Dress is what I want to be living in right now! Amazing pattern matching (you can't even see those pockets!) and it suits her down to the ground.
• Helen's version of the Style Arc Blaire Shirtdress is delicious! I love the fabric that she chose and the way she used the direction of those stripes to their absolutely best advantage.
• The combination of vivid floral print and the drama of the off the shoulder ruffle on MJ's Mama Daphne top is stunning. She definitely made some excellent choices with this one!