Well it's that time again already, the end of another busy month and time to round up all the latest news from the indie sewing pattern designers! As usual if I have missed anything that you know of, or if you are yourself an indie designer who I have somehow overlooked, please leave me a comment or get in touch via email or twitter and I'll make sure to add the new info in.
New Indie Pattern Companies
Many of you may already know Sally of Charity Shop Chic, she's super talented with a pair of scissors and a sewing machine, has an effortless sophisticated sense of style and has just released her first collection of sewing patterns! Capital Chic Patterns launched this week with a summer collection of six super chic womenswear PDF patterns aimed at intermediate to advanced sewists or those who are looking to develop their skills a little more. I was delighted to test the Martini Dress and White Russian Sweatshirt but also have my eye on the Champagne Skirt! Which are your favourites?
I'm a long time reader of Katy and Laney's blog and was super excited to see that they had released their very first pattern! Their Tap Shorts are a classic high waisted short with three variations included angled front seams or pleats providing flattering options for all body shapes.
Another blogger I'm a big fan of has also released her very first pattern this month! Kelli from True Bias (otherwise known as the blogger with the best hair ever) has released her Hudson Pants pattern. They are a bang on trend pair of knit pants with a relaxed fit around the hip tapering into skinny legs.
New Patterns
Jennifer Lauren released a stunner of a pattern for knits this month, the Bronte Top. It must be really comfortable to wear yet looks chic and pulled together because of the unusual vintage inspired overlapping neckline which provides much scope for playing around with contrast binding.
Cake Patterns have updated their FREE PDF tee pattern. It looks like a great basic to sew up and adapt and being free too I don't think it can get any better than that!
Caroline of Sew Caroline had just released her next pattern this morning! It's called the Waterfall Tank and with it's cascading front panel provides a great canvas for pattern mixing and colour blocking.
Pauline Alice has just released the Alameda Dress pattern. I absolutely love the flounced skirt combined with more modern style lines! It's also her very first pattern to come out straight away in paper format, see 'Other Exciting News' for more info.
The most recent pattern from Sew Over It is their Ultimate Trousers! Lisa very kindly sent me a copy and I can't wait to get started on them as I've been thinking about this slim, classic style for a while now. Plus Lisa made up 5 pairs in a week so they sound like a lovely speedy project (once I've nailed the fit! Eeek!)
Melissa from Fehr Trade's range of sportswear patterns are proving very popular and her most recent pattern can be made up for casual wear too! The VNA top features some clever and unusual seam lines inspired by the 1930s Vionnet gowns.
I'm yet to try any of the gorgeous knicker patterns from Measure Twice Cut Once but I need to get a move on! This month they released a FREE Unisex Boxer Short pattern via Peppermint Magazine. I love the included variations to make them more masculine or feminine.
Iconic Patterns released a new pattern for a Wiggle Skirt. It's made for stretch fabrics and features some awesome style lines and panelling which provides great opportunity for colour blocking and flattering print combinations. Lena's written a great post about the fit of stretch fabrics too.
The newest pattern from Waffle Patterns is the Warabi Kimono Sleeved Tunic featuring wide sleeves and a cross over neckline. It instantly conjures up images of floaty resort wear for me!
With thanks to Emmie for bringing this one to my attention, Simple Sew Patterns released a new pattern this month (the Lottie Skirt and Blouse) which is currently available in paper form FREE with Love Sewing magazine. What a fantastic opportunity to try a new company!
Sew-Alongs
The sew-along for Sew Over It's Ultimate Trousers starts on their blog tomorrow (1st July). I'm hoping to pick up some trouser fitting tips and make myself an Audrey-worthy pair of capris, who's joining me?!
Jennifer Lauren is part way through the sew-along for her new Bronte top. I've been reading with interest her tips on working with knits; the post on using your machine only was really useful I found.
Katy and Laney are also part way through their very first sew-along for their very first pattern. I've seen such a great variety of shorts made from their Tap Shorts pattern on various blogs that I can't wait to see what's included.
The sew-along for Kelli's new Hudson Pant pattern is starting over on True Bias today with a post on fabrics and notions. There's a competition involved with this one so get sewing people!
There's a sew-along happening for the Hot Patterns Summer Breeze Top on the Sew News blog led by Rhonda from Rhonda's Creative Life. I've never tried a Hot Pattern before so will be keeping my eyes peeled for the results of that sew-along.
Other Exciting News
Kate and Rose Patterns have just launched paper versions of their recently released Midtown Collection and Roza Blouse/Dress! And they are currently 20% off in their Etsy shop (along with everything else) until Wednesday 2nd July. After that only PDF copies will be available until September so get in quick if you want to try one out!
After all the excitement of their first pattern in PDF format being released last month, Sewaholic Patterns have now released their ever popular Renfrew Top in digital form. it's now even more the perfect pattern for a speedy afternoon make; purchase to wearing in a matter of hours!
Thread Theory are running a tutorial competition! In a nutshell to enter you need to write a tutorial inspired by/based on one of the Thread Theory patterns and the winning tutorials (there are various categories) will be published on their site. The closing date is 21st July so you've got plenty of time: check out the full details here.
Named had a midsummer sale on a selection of their patterns. Did you snap up any bargains? I've had my eye on the Ailakki Jumpsuit for a while now but it wasn't included this time!
Pauline Alice has just opened her new pattern store and unveiled paper formats for all of the patterns she has released so far! I love Pauline's style so can't wait to get my hands on a copy of one to check out the packaging!
UPDATE! This is super exciting news! Tilly (of Tilly and the Buttons) is looking to hire someone part time to manage sales, shipping and customer service for her rapidly expanding business. I'm so wishing I could make my regular job part time and do this; if you're interested check out the full job description here.
And to finish up as usual a little inspiration for you all. I appear to be really feeling the swimsuit sewing at the moment; I had to stop myself from making all five picks swimwear!
I fell pretty much instantly in love with Lauren's stunning striped Soma Swimsuit. She's used those stripes to perfection plus there's yellow strapping! Now I've made the Bombshell I don't think I can resist giving this a whirl...
I can't believe that Katie's Centuaree Dress was intended just as a wearable muslin! The piecing of the bodice kind of reflects the formation of the diamonds in the print, plus the criss-cross contrasting straps give it that extra something!
Nicole's dress she made for the big Minerva meet-up is so PERFECT on her! She used the bodice of the Lonsdale dress (which is a fave of mine) and drafted her own skirt. You are rocking that look lady.
And Zoe's top is equally PERFECT for her! Her Bronte top really grabbed my attention; the combination of white binding on that style of neckline gives it both a retro and nautical twist.
I love Holli's amazing gingham bombshell swimsuit! (Where does all this amazing swimsuit fabric come from?!) Although to be honest I had a hard time picking between this and her metallic dotted version
I can't wait to see what July holds to inspire my future wardrobe!