July Indie Pattern Update! (and giveaway winners!)

Hey guys! Well it has been another whopper of a month for new pattern releases and I've been really enjoying all the seasonal sewing inspiration you've been giving me on both your blogs and Instagram over the last few weeks. I'm currently wishing someone would grant me the gift of an extra week slotted into my life when time stands still and all I have to do is sew!

New Patterns

• The two new patterns released with this month's edition of Seamwork Magazine were the Veronica and Georgia Dresses. I really like the clean, contemporary feel of both of these and the chambray version of Veronica is just like an image I've been coming back to on Pinterest for years!
• Style Arc released the Quinn Woven Top & Quinn Woven Skirt which can either be bought separately or together as part of a discounted bundle. The new Lacey Dress is also a breezy summer delight with panelling to play with. One of their July freebies was also new; the Sia Knit Dress.
• Seamstress Erin released the Ultraviolet Tee. It's an oversized shirt with short grown on sleeves that comes with two cup size options. The larger size is darted/gathered for a little extra shape.
• If you're after a speedy and fun summer sew the new Wardrobe By Me Hera Top could be just the thing. Best of all it's a free PDF download! The faux wrap top combined with small flutter sleeve and peplum created by the elasticated waistline makes for a sweet feminine style.
• Savvy Patterns released the Grace Tankini. It's a vintage inspired, modest two piece swimwear option with two top versions and four bottoms to choose from including a flippy little circle skirt.
• The patterns launched with the 4th edition of Sew Sew Def were the Reese and Wooster. Reese is a tie-up dress featuring eyelets down the front and Wooster is a pair of mens cargo shorts with dropped crotch. Both come free when you by the downloadable July/August issue. 
• New from Evie La Luve is the Mimi Bikini. I'm really interested in making one of these. I love the cut out look created by the double back straps of the top and waistband of the briefs.
• Lisa from the Avid Seamstress added the Shift Dress pattern to her collection of classic designs for timeless wardrobe staples. The low back adds a touch of elegance and the pencil style skirt with vent is a nice detail.
• Sew Over It's PDF release of the month was the Juliette Blouse which features an on-trend ruffle front. They also released a new paper pattern this month, the Elsie Dress, which is a gorgeous full skirted 1950s inspired design with a fitted bodice. I'm wondering if I've got time to sew one up before a friend's wedding in a couple of weeks!
• Christine Haynes released the Varda Dress and Top. It's a shift style garment which has a curved shape to flatter the lines of the body and three sleeve options. A lovely blank canvas for special fabrics.
• Schnittchen had a flurry of new releases this month. The first was the Marta Dress and Skirt which is the first in a series of four patterns designed by the winners of the Maker's Wish competition. The combination of pieced cups, button front and flared skirt is gorgeous. Also released were the Amanda Top, Chari Dress & Top and just yesterday they sneaked in a fourth with the Carla Jumpsuit! LOVE the cut of this one. It's just the sort of thing I've been wearing all summer
• Fairly new to the block, French Navy Now released their second PDF pattern this month. The Forsythe Dress has a breezy silhouette and short cuffed kimono sleeves. The curved panels on the bodice provide opportunity to play with colours, prints and stripes and I can imagine it making up beautifully in lightweight crinkly cottons and linens. 
• The Raglan Blouse and Sasha Skirt are new from Friday Pattern Company. The volume of the blouse which is elasticated at the cuff and waist has a beautiful seventies vibe and I love the clever design of the wrap skirt with ruffle.
• Always offering a new challenge up to the sewing community, Scroop Patterns released the Rilla Corset. It's a WW1 era style under-bust corset which comes down over the hips. The two views feature slightly different neck and hemlines. A great introduction to corsetry for anyone with a bit of sewing under their belt.
• Hey June Handmade released the Sandbridge Skirt; a pattern for a classic straight cut denim skirt with raw hem. It features all the classic jeans style details with five pockets, back yoke and belt loops.
• The big summer release from Colette is the Penny Shirtdress. Shirt dresses seem to be this year's big thing and this one comes with a classic view but also a second variation which includes a wrap over waist belt which I adore! The kind of little detail that elevates a garment into something special and interesting.
• Pattern Fantastique released the Glacial Tee which is a classic t-shirt base layer but with a contemporary feel which I appeals to me. I like the close fit, slightly shaped hemline and high neckline.
• I Am Patterns launched their I Am In Africa collection which includes three new patterns as well as updated versions and samples of their previous patterns. The Jain Top & Dress features batwing sleeves and a slightly raised waistline, the Joy Top is a simple style with elasticated full sleeves and my favourite of the bunch the Celeste Dress & Top features a heart shape neckline and back yoke.
• I'm really drawn to interesting wrap styles at the moment so the new Designer Stitch Ravanna Faux Wrap Pants certainly grabbed my attention. The high low hemline is unusual on a trouser.
• Ready To Sew released the Jazz Jumpsuit & Dress which has already proven pretty popular on my Instagram feed. The loose fit is bang on trend and certainly appealing for the muggy London weather of late.
• Pauline Alice launched two new patterns for summer in the form of the Mirambell Skirt and Lliria Dress. The topstitching on the skirt really accentuates the shaped waistband and pockets beautifully and I adore the 1940s feel of the wrap dress with asymmetrical buttoning front.
• The Suki Kimono is new from Helen's Closet. It's a pattern for a classic, comfortable robe which can be kept practical and straightforward in a simple cotton or made glamorous in a beautiful silk.
• New from Made for Mermaids is the Mama Tara Twist Top which accompanies the release of the Tara girls pattern. The twist front to this basic tee is unique but simple to achieve.

Pattern Updates and Expansion Packs

• Blank Slate Patterns updated the Juniper Jersey to include their new expanded size range and a better overall fit.
• As part of their new collection I Am Patterns released a free downloadable pattern piece for adding short cuffed sleeves to their kimono sleeved Cassiopee Dress. There is also now an ultra long variation included in their Hermes Shirt pattern.

Sew-alongs

• Pattern Review has been running a sew-along for their recently released Claire Wrap Dress. You can find all the posts here.
• A four-part sew-along for the new Marta Dress from Schnittchen started over on their blog on Thursday. Could be useful if you've not tackled that style of bodice before.
• The new Sandbridge Skirt has an accompanying sew-along running over on the Hey June Handmade blog. Worth a look for tips on how to sew a fly front and get the top stitching on point.

Upcoming!

• Deer & Doe have a new collection coming at the end of August. It looks like it will include an updated version of their Bluet Dress, two new patterns and a surprise!
• Pier and Palace are a new indie pattern company on the block and were looking for testers for their first patterns. I'm super excited to see what they have to offer and what their design aesthetic will be. Eyes peeled guys!
• The Tailoress is soon to launch a small range of menswear patterns plus has another pattern for a ladies jumpsuit up her sleeve.
• Itch to Stitch are currently testing the Chai Shirt and Dress which is inspired by vintage wasp waist dresses. I love a shirtdress with a waistband.
• The new pattern from Grainline Studio is coming tomorrow!

Other Exciting News

• Wendy Ward from MIY Collection's next book will be 'The Beginner's Guide to Sewing with Knitted Fabrics'. I'm really exited to see what this will include as I have been wearing my merino Longley Cardigan so much that I had to make myself a second to wear when that one is in the wash!
• Colette launched a new look for their paper patterns. At the moment just Zinnia and Violet feature the new package design, including full colour photo booklets and fit guides, but as patterns are reprinted they will be updated. The new patterns come in misses or curvy size ranges and if you purchase a paper pattern direct from Colette you will get a digital copy including all sizes.
• I know a fair few of you were disappointed when some of Trend Patterns' first collection of paper patterns sold out and were not set to be reprinted. Well the good news is the whole of their TPC collection is now available in downloadable PDF format!
• Christine Haynes is discontinuing her printed patterns to focus on PDF downloads. There was a huge sale to finish up the printed stock but all sold out just yesterday.
• Jennifer Lauren Handmade is trying out a new idea and putting together a group of pattern reviewers to honestly review and spread the word about her patterns. Each month around ten people will be selected to receive the Pattern of the Month and post a review about it.
• French pattern company Mouna Sew are now offering their PDF patterns in English and their accompanying You Tube tutorials feature English subtitles. English paper patterns will be coming towards the end of the year!

There's certainly lots to look forward to over the next few months, not that my sewing queue needs to get any bigger! As usual feel free to add any news I may have missed into the comments and I'll finish up with some indie sewing inspiration from the online community!

• Charlotte's Liberty Print Inari Tee Dress has made me rethink my restraint in the Liberty sale last month...it's so good to know that you can squeeze this dress out of just a metre! Great combination of pattern and print.
• Rachel from The Foldline made a maxi length Charlie Caftan from Closet Case Patterns which is simply scrumptious.
• I would never have though to use broderie anglais to make the Kalle shirt but Helen has used in to perfection! It's the perfect layering piece and the thickness of the embroidery adds structure to the style.
• Pauline blew my mind with her hack of the Papercut Bowline Sweater into a dress. I must own one immediately!
• Melissa made an outstanding fabric choice and then used it to it's fullest potential with her cityscape version of the Gabrielle Dress. It has totally made me rethink this pattern.

Finally as promised I have the winners of the tickets to the Great British Sewing Bee Live to announce! Selected by random number generator the lucky ladies are:

• Crazyrina
• Sarah Guthrie
• Roo
• Emmie
• Astrid Breel

Congratulations! You should each be receiving an email from me shortly so I can get hold of your contact details and arrange for your pair of tickets to be sent out to you. Hope to see you there!
All those of you not so lucky don't forget you can still get £1.50 off the entry ticket price using the code DCS at the checkout.