Sunday 4 January 2015

December Indie Pattern Update!


Sorry that last month's update of news from the Independent Sewing Pattern community is coming to you a little later than usual. I allowed myself to become completely absorbed in the festive season this year and am only just getting back on track! I hope you all enjoyed some time off with your loved ones too and are looking forward to 2015! It's been a slightly quieter month as I'm sure designers have all taken some well earned time off but I'm sure more snippets of news have fallen through the cracks than usual so feel free to make additions to the list in the comments. I've only included news up to the new year, anything that has happened in the last couple of days will be included in January's update.

New Pattern Companies/First Releases!

  • I've long been a fan of The Little Tailoress so I was really excited to see Ami launch her very first PDF pattern this month. The pattern is called the Emmeline Tee and is a versatile dart-less tee for knit or woven fabrics; I particularly love the sequin version. It's also worth taking a look at Ami's tutorials as she has some amazing sewing skills, just check out her collection of coats!

New Patterns

  • April Rhodes released the Popover Poncho pattern. It looks like a great pattern for a beginner and features a cosy cowl neck and hoodie style front pocket. A lovely way to showcase a spectacular fabric I think.
  • There have been some great seasonally appropriate new releases over the last couple of months and Jennifer Lauren has just added the Enid Sweater to the mix. It fits perfectly with her usual Vintage aesthetic and has a bias cut bodice with options for a square or rounded neckline. This is also the first of her patterns to be available in two additional larger sizes.
  • I've been toying with the idea of making myself a coat as I desperately need a new one but I don't really have the time at the minute to do it properly. Seeing the release of Pauline Alice's new Quart Coat nearly made me take the plunge anyway. I absolutely love the unique design details of it and have a feeling that if I don't make it this winter I will for next!
  • Another coat pattern to tempt us is Marilla Walker's Freemantle Coat. It's an on trend cocoon style with three variations including a shorter jacket. She also shared a knit version on her blog the other day which looks great as an oversized cardigan!
  • If you're on the hunt for the perfect t-shirt pattern for you Lindsay Woodward has recently released the Phlox Tee. It's a lovely basic with a number of sleeve and neckline variations. 
  • Thread Theory released their very first womenswear pattern! I must admit that I have bought a couple of the men's sewing patterns but haven't yet sewn them up because the lure of sewing something for myself normally wins...maybe I'll have more success with the Camas Blouse! It's an elegant design with a yoke, v neck and narrow front button plackets.
  • Cali Faye released the Brenna Coat. It's a PDF pattern with a modern oversized cut and relaxed draped style. I'm looking forward to seeing this made up in a variety of fabrics!
  • The most recent release from Compagnie M is the Julia Sweater. It fears dolman sleeves and large cuffs and is a PDF pattern for knit fabrics.
  • Melissa from Fehr Trade released the Surf to Summit Top which I think has to be her best activewear release yet! Not only are there patterns for both women and men, it has numerous variations and optional extras to make it suitable for a whole variety of sports from a surfing to cycling.
  • The third and latest release from Muse Patterns is the Natalie Dress. It's another pattern for knits and has three length options. I love the slightly 1940s style gathering and triangular panel at the centre of the bust!

Upcoming!

  • Marilla Walker hinted that she will be releasing a tights pattern soon after drafting a block to make up a number of really impressive pairs for herself over December. Those lacy ones are my favourite!
  • Itch to Stitch put out a call for testers for the new Idyllwild Top & Dress at the start of the month. I'm really looking forward to this knit pattern. With all the variations of necklines and sleeves it's possible to create 42 different garments! Kennis has set up a private Facebook group for testers to discuss their findings which I think is a fantastic idea.

Sew-Alongs

  • Rhonda from Rhonda's Creative Life ran a sew-along throughout December on the Sew News blog for the Sewaholic Robson Coat. I absolutely love this pattern and highly recommend it for a first experience of sewing outerwear, the addition of the sew-along will make it even easier!
  • The sew-along for Christine Haynes' Marianne Dress is starting on her blog on 6th January. If you've ever wanted to make yourself the perfect breton knit dress now is your chance!

Other Exciting News

  • Papercut PatternsSigma Dress and Riegel Bomber patterns are now available as PDFs. I've had my eye on that bomber for ages and what with the Riegel Bomber January challenge happening too it's now even more tempting!
  • The latest addition to Sewaholic's PDF pattern arsenal is the Alma Blouse. Tasia must be getting close to having her whole collection available in digital form! 

And here's your monthly dose of Indie sewing inspiration to give your 2015 sewing a kick start!


  • Sonja's Isabel Marant inspired sweatshirt version of Papercut Pattern's Undercover Hoodie made me want to straight up copy it I liked it so much! A great use of colour blocking to personalise a wardrobe staple.
  • Amanda's pineapple print Colette Iris Shorts are so fun! What a brilliant fabric. I can't wait for summer to come around this side of the equator so I can make up some printed shorts of my own!
  • Carly in Stitches actually made up the Thread Theory Finlayson Sweater for her nephew but I love it on her! I love the fair isle ponte she found and her decision to combine it with plain black for the collar, cuffs and hem.
  • Jennifer did an amazing job on her electric blue Sewaholic Minoru Jacket. Doesn't that colour look amazing on her?!
  • Karen used an absolutely stunning silk for her Sew Over It Pussy Bow Blouse and got such a beautiful finish on all the lovely details. The buttons and loops on the cuffs are to die for!

29 comments:

  1. Great guide! I am going to have a go at the Sewaholic Robson Coat hopefully soon and I'll definitely check out that sewalong!! :)

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    1. Hoorah! I'm always so excited to see someone try that pattern as I think it's so great! I would advise making a quick muslin or roughly tissue fitting part of it to check that the length is right on you. If you just take the length of the hem part way through making the pockets could end up at the wrong height. They were too low on my first one so the length needed taking out from above them!

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  2. I've only been blogging since last summer but I've enjoyed reading your pattern guide and of course, seeing your lovely sewing. Thanks for all your hard work with compiling the list of new releases! I didn't know about Cali Faye but now I have my eye on the Gardenia dress (and the coat is tempting too!).

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    1. They are actually quite a new discovery for me too! I think the Gardenia Dress would be gorgeous and breezy made up in a lightweight fabric for summer! I'm glad to hear you have been enjoying my blog!

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  3. Another awesome round-up! :-) I love reading these, thanks for taking the time to put another one together!

    Also, Muse Patterns released the Natalie dress and top in December, details here: http://sewingmuse.com/products/natalie-dress-and-top

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    1. O thank you for pointing that out, I knew I'd missed some things amongst the Christmas chaos this month! I've just added it to the post. Love the design!

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  4. Thank you Fiona for sharing my make! I'm happy you like it, so did my nephew! Yay! I love reading you patterns update, always full of inspirations!

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    1. You're welcome Carly! I love that Fair Isle sweat shirting and how you used it!

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  5. Such a wonderful round-up, as always! Thanks for sharing all this info, Fiona. I'm loving all these new coat patterns.

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    1. Me too Mary! I haven't really got the time to be sewing one (or even researching into how to begin!) at the moment but I'm sorely tempted to go for it anyway!

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  6. Once again thanks very much Fiona and a very happy new year to you - that red dress must have been a real hit over Xmas!

    Isn't Ami amazing? I've been reading her blog for a while now and love it and her - and have been hoping she'd do patterns for a while, too! Re tights, if you are at all interested in making them, Seamster patterns' Rose Hip tights are very cool, like all her patterns, and have no seam under the foot - I love them.

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    1. O I had forgotten about those Francesca, thanks! I might give tights sewing a try yes but first on my list of new things is jeans!

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  7. I love your Indie Pattern Round-ups! I have purchased several patterns from designers I had never known of until you wrote about them. Thank you for for all the work you do to put these posts together!

    Cynthia

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    1. You're welcome Cynthia, I really enjoy it! It's so nice to hear that you've made some purchases after reading my updates, I hope you have enjoyed sewing them up!

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  8. Thanks for putting this together! I always love reading these posts! And thanks for adding my sweater! I hope you make one like it... I bet you would wear it all the time!

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    1. I absolutely love that sweater Sonja, you must be getting so much wear out of it! Just warning you...I may flat out copy it!

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  9. Thanks for sharing my jacket! I always love your round up posts they're so informative and its great to see what everyone is making! :-)

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    1. You're welcome Jennifer, I just love that blue!

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  10. Great round-up, and thank you for taking the time to summarise all this! Happy New Year!

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  11. I really like your monthly update. I only recently started sewing again and those posts keep me wanting to try more!

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    1. O that's so lovely to hear! My main hope with these posts is that they inspire people to try a new project and that it's inspiring someone who is just picking it up again is fantastic!

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  12. Aw thanks so much for the mention Fiona! These round ups are soo good for inspiration and it's so amazing of you to take the time to compile them. I think there are about 6 new items on my to-sew list now...oh dear! ;).
    Happy new year!

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    1. You're very welcome Ami, I was so excited to see your first release! Emmeline is gorgeous. Happy New Year and good luck with the patterns!

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  13. Thank you for collecting all of this news in one spot! I've got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for later today that links to your indie pattern round-up:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/december-indie-pattern-round-up/2015/01/06/
    --Anne

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    1. O thanks so much for linking to my post Anne, that's fantastic! I hadn't been on to Craft Gossip before and I love it!

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  14. Thanks for posting this list - great round up. I will be back to check up your January update too.

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    1. O that's great to hear! I've already got a lot of news jotted down to put in it so it should be a good one!

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  15. Oh wow. As soon as I clicked on the link, it was love. I'm OBSESSED with the Quart Coat now!

    -Eileen

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