August Indie Pattern Update!

I know I say this every month but I'm going to have to say it again because MAN has there been a lot going on in the Indie Pattern world in August! I'm just going to jump on right in there because we've got a lot to get through...

New Pattern Companies!

• Kat from Modern Vintage Cupcakes has just launched her pattern company Muse Patterns! Each pattern is inspired by a 'muse' which I love the idea of and the designs incorporate historical elements to reflect Kat's love of early to mid 20th Century fashions. The first pattern is the Jenna Cardi featuring lovely curved shoulder yokes.

New Patterns

• Menswear pattern company Thread Theory have released the next pattern in their Alpine Collection; the Finlayson Sweater. It's currently on sale with 25% off; use code SEWSWEATERS at the checkout.
• Sew Over It released their new pattern, the classically simple and chic Silk Cami, as their very first in PDF format. It looks like the perfect pattern for PDFing and a great project if you are new to sewing with silk.
• The most recent release from Iconic Patterns is the Knot Dress. It's got a gorgeous classic shape and really interesting twisted neckline.
• Named have treated us to a whole range of autumnal patterns in their new Ritual Collection. I love the look of the Mai Zip Jacket and have got it earmarked as a possible challenging sew for this season. Which are your favourites?
• Along with a free pattern for a Kimono Jacket, Sew Caroline released the Picnic Skirt, which is a simple high waisted with subtle high-low hemline. It's very soon to be available in printed form along with all four of her other patterns!
• Papercut Patterns released the Clover Dress which is their very first collaboration with a local fashion designer. The dress features a shaped panel above the bust giving you scope for creative fabric combinations, is suitable for knits or wovens and also includes a variation for a top.
• I thought I'd seen indie sewing patterns for just about everything but Pauline Alice proved me wrong when she revealed her Turia Dungarees this month. I can't wait to see some of these made up by bloggers! Have any of you got them planned?
• The Vesper Dress is the most recent release from Skinny Bitch Curvy Chic Patterns. I absolutely love the design of the crossover back and the fact that it comes in a maxi and midi length.
• Measure Twice Cut Once have released a couple more patterns from their Basics Collection. This time they include a Women's Tank and Women's Baseball Singlet. As with the Racer Back Singlet they come with a Designer Manual to inspire you to make the patterns your own.
• The new Deer and Doe pattern is the Bruyere Shirt. It's got some really interesting features that look like they will work really well to flatter a curvier figure.
• Perhaps not technically indie patterns but I still count her as an indie designer; Gertie has released two more patterns for Butterick. This time they include a lovely fit and flare dress and a wrap jacket.
• Charlie from This Blog Is Not For You has released her second and third patterns, the Hepburn Dress and Skirt which can be combined for added variation. She has officially launched her pattern company under the name Audrey & Me Patterns.

Upcoming!

• Christine Haynes gave us a handful of clues about her next release. It's a dress pattern for knits and is called Marianne!
• Amy from Cloth Habit has announced an upcoming lingerie pattern! She's discussed in depth on her blog the many steps she has been through to bring us a bra pattern and it sounds like she's put in a huge amount of work and skill. I can't wait to see! 
• Blue Ginger Doll's next pattern is named Odette and should be with us soon. Keep an eye out on Instagram for sneaky peeks! 
• Kelli from True Bias has mentioned that new patterns are in the works and close to release but have given no further clues!
• Jennifer Lauren's new pattern should be with us very soon, I'm looking forward to seeing how she cleverly combines vintage details into a modern design this time.
• The much anticipated Holly Jumpsuit from By Hand London is nearly here! My mind is brimming with ideas for more!
• There's a new pattern in the works over at Grainline Studio and Jen has left some not so subtle hints on Instagram that it might be a sweatshirt!

Sew-Alongs

• The sew-along for Grainline Studio's most recent release, the Alder Shirtdress, is well underway over on the Grainline blog. I've been bookmarking all the posts as I've had little time for sewing recently but the pattern is assembled and ready to go!
• Colette Pattern's sew-along for their cowl-necked Myrtle Dress for knits is drawing to a close on sewalongs.com. It's being run by sewing teacher Devon Iott and this time includes the option to have posts emailed straight to your inbox! 
• Sewaholic Patterns posted a one-day sew-along post for their Rae skirt. It's a really thorough post with lots of pictures and different techniques so if you are a beginner I really recommend giving it a try.
• The sew-along for Thread Theory's new Finlayson Sweater starts tomorrow (September 1st)! I'm looking forward to picking up both knit tips and menswear tips from this one.
• As well as the speedy skirt sew-along Sewaholic are running a more lengthy sew-along for their brand new Yaletown Dress and Blouse. It too starts on September 1st!

Other Exciting News

• Kristiann from Victory Patterns is releasing a book next year. She revealed some behind the scenes photos from a shoot for it on her blog; it looks beautiful and very intriguing!
• Tilly's incredibly popular book 'Love at First Stitch' will be available mid September in Dutch and German! The US version is set to be released in October.
• Melissa from Fehr Trade has been designing bespoke fabrics (available through Spoonflower) to suit her sewing patterns! More than one print/colour is included within 1 yard of fabric, each section being exactly the right size for particular pattern pieces from her designs. I think it's a fantastically inventive idea and can't wait to see how it develops.
• The PDF trend continues with By Hand London releasing their Flora, Georgia, Victoria and Elisalex patterns in instantly downloadable electronic form.
• Megan Nielson has also released her Crescent Blouse as a PDF which means all of her patterns from the Breakwater Collection are now available to download and the pack of all four is ready to purchase again.
• PLUS Sew Over It have just released PDF versions of ALL their patterns so far! The Ultimate Trousers in particular have been getting some great reviews so maybe this is your chance to try them out...
• Lindsay, from Design by Lindsay, posted recently to say that she is looking for testers for her very first pattern, the Senna Dress. She's released a sneak peak of it already and it includes ruched detailing and the option to make a two piece variation. If you are interested in testing head on over to her blog.
• Another person looking for pattern testers for her first pattern is Charlotte from English Girl at Home. She is releasing the Lou Lou Dress, which is an A-line dress with contrast feature at the hem and two variations.
• Blue Ginger Doll have begun to increase the size range of their patterns and the good news for any plus sized ladies among you is that the Winifred Dress is now available in sizes 4-24.
• Colette are retiring the printed versions of 5 of their earliest patterns to make room for new stock. The patterns will still be available in PDF format but get in their quick if you prefer paper, especially as they are 50% off!

And to finish things up here's your monthly dose of indie sewing inspiration from around the web!

• I absolutely love how Alison from Another Little Crafty Creation has chosen to use those lovely yoke panels on her Sewaholic Gabriola as a canvas for embroidery. It's subtle and stunning.
• Winnie from Scruffy Badger Time's Gingham Lonsdale is so fresh and summery it's got me wishing the heat would return and thinking about making another Lonsdale!
• Doesn't Jenny from Cashmerette look incredible in her dotty Bombshell Swimsuit?! She wrote a great post on adding swim bra into your swimsuit that's worth checking out too.
• Rachel's beautiful Anna caught my eye instantly in my blog roll. I think it's one of those instances of a perfect pairing of pattern and fabric, especially with that gathered skirt!
• Novita from A Very Purple Person's Coppelia Cardigan is made from soft and snuggly Merino wool. It sounds so luxurious I'm going to make a note to try some myself some time. Love the colour too!