How on earth is it November tomorrow?! This month has vanished and I don't seem to have made much progress on my handmade winter wardrobe. Whilst I generally mourn the end of summer I have quite enjoyed the change of fabric under my sewing machine foot; give me some more wools and denim please! There have been so many gorgeous new releases over the last few weeks my list just seems to be getting longer. I'd best get this post written pronto so I can get back on the machine!
New Pattern Companies
Champions of the sewing community Kate and Rachel from The Fold Line have just launched Tribe Patterns! The idea behind the company is that the patterns are designed by the sewing community for the sewing community and you can enter a competition to have one of your designs released! The first pattern is the Billie Collection designed by Rachel from House of Pinheiro; available as a PDF or a limited run of printed patterns for UK delivery only.
For all of you lingerie sewing addicts out there some exciting news! Sophie Hines is a lingerie designer who has just released her very first sewing pattern, the Euler Bra. There's a kit for it soon to be released as well as a second pattern for the Arrcos Undies to complete your set.
New Patterns
Style Arc's new releases this month were all about sleeves! The Marilyn Dress has a split sleeve, the Harlow Top has a bell and the Lauren Boyfriend Shirt has an extra long cuff detail. They also released the Ellie-Mae Tunic Top and Halle Stretch Skirt which was one of their free patterns with any purchase over the month.
The two patterns launched with this month's edition of Seamwork Magazine had a vintage vibe. The Arden Babydoll Dress has a distinctly sixties feel while Winona is a seventies style panelled maxi dress.
Kommatia Patterns released a number of new styles this month in their PDF shop including the Jeans Overall, the Bomber Jacket, the Pinafore Skirt and my favourite the Parka jacket.
The new pattern from Closet Case Patterns is the Kelly Anorak. I bought some fabric for a coat of this style earlier this year at Mood in NYC but couldn't quite settle on a pattern that felt right. I guess it was because Heather Lou was working on one for my dream coat! Sign me up.
Jennifer Lauren released the Ivy Pinafore Dress. It's got a curved yoke and wider straps than a lot of other patterns for dresses in this style and also includes an a-line tent style variation.
Melissa from Fehr Trade launched her second mens sportswear pattern with the Lightspeed Leggings. As with her ladies leggings they feature no side seam, an optional back pocket and have a shorts length option.
I only discovered pattern company How To Do Fashion last month, just in time for their two new cracking releases. No. 10 Stockholm is a jacket with two variations inspired by ladies in Sweden in the 1940s and 50s and No.11 Malmo is a 1960s inspired top and skirt.
The Giulia Shirt is the latest pattern from Di Nuvole Di Cuori. It's a classic ladies shirt with a little wing style collar and pin tucked detail down the front.
Pearl Red Moon from Boho Banjo released the Serenade Skirt. Its an A-Line skirt with may panels and includes a number of variations with options to experiment with appliqué and seam finishes to add detail.
A pattern that definitely grabbed my attention this month was the Sadie Slip Dress from Tessuti. I like the idea of a chic slip dress in a stunning fabric for a festive party and love the bias cut of this particular design.
Republique du Chiffon launched a beautiful new collection of six patterns during October. It includes two dresses, a coat, a blouse, a skirt and my favourite of the bunch the Danielle Dungarees. I love the slim cropped leg.
New from Fabrics for Sale is their Pinafore Dress pattern. A classic style with adjustable straps this would be great to have fun with some wintery velvets, corduroys and denims.
The latest release from Itch to Stitch is the Arenal Top. Its a knit top with a v-neck, yoke across the shoulders and the option for different sleeve lengths and a longer back hem.
After doing such a beautiful job of her DIY wedding and stunning dress Charlie from Audrey and Me Patterns is back with the Keira Cardigan. A quick sew, the best bit it is that it's a pay as you wish pattern!
So excited to see another release from By Hand London and it's another stunner of a dress. The Alix Dress is seventies inspired with billowing sleeves it's a woven dress with no fastenings thanks so the genius wide waist ties!
Christine Haynes has released her very first coat pattern in the form of the Ellsworth Coat. It's a 1960s inspired fairly lightweight double breasted coat. I like all the topstitching and big pockets plus the polka dot sample if simply gorgeous!
Sew Over It released another PDF pattern. The Heather Dress is a simple knit shift with a panelled bodice to make fitting easy and cleverly hidden inseam pockets in the front.
New from Wear Lemonade are the Julietta Pants. They've got a distinct menswear vibe with a high waist, pleats to the front and carrot shaped leg. Love it.
Merchant & Mills launched the Ellis & Hattie two in one dress pattern. Both in an oversized style and featuring neck darts with a gathered skirt, Hattie comes minus the sleeves and with more of a dropped waist.
The new Cassiopee Dress from I AM Patterns looks like the kind of dress I would like to live in. It's got batwing shaped raglan sleeves and a lightly gathered skirt.
Schnittchen released the Jeannie Dress and the plus size Katha Tunic. The shawl collar of the wrap dress is really dramatic combined with with slim fit and the tunic has a lovely cut with the dipped hem. Love the fabrics they've used for their samples.
New from Hot Patterns this month are the Fast & Fabulous Draped Blouses (currently available in paper format only). They can be made in lightweight knits or wovens and I think I could live in blouses like these made in diaphanous silks if only my lifestyle suited it.
In The Folds released a PDF pattern for a Peplum Top in collaboration with Peppermint Magazine. I really like the v-neck back feature. This pattern along with many more are free to download from the magazine's website.
The ladies at The Fold Line sure have had a busy month as they also released the Joni Dress pattern in collaboration with Simply Sewing Magazine. Its a classic shift dress with waist darts, button placket and contrast collar and cuffs and is available with issue 22.
Pattern Updates and Expansion Packs
After updating her Marlborough Bra pattern a couple of months ago, Norma from Orange Lingerie has updated the Bolyston Bra pattern to include larger cup sizes. The new DDD-J size range is available as a separate pattern as these larger sizes need to be based on a different block.
Deer & Doe updated their Aubepine Dress pattern to have updated packaging in line with the rest of their collection and to include more detailed instructions.
Pearl Red Moon expanded the size range for the Boho Banjo Wave Dress to include a number of smaller sizes after popular demand.
Tilly and the Buttons posted about a free bonus long sleeve and cuff pattern download for her recently released Rosa Shirt & Dress pattern.
The Verity Dress & Shirt pattern from Moxie Patterns has been relaunched to include a range of plus sizes, a little girl's size range plus a fourth neckline option with a peter pan collar.
Colette Patterns updated their recently released Rue Dress to deal with some errors encountered. I'm really impressed with their honesty and it's good to know that companies listen to to voice of the sewing community. You can read the full post here.
Sew-Alongs
Rather than a full blown sew-along for the new Kelly Anorak Heather Lou will be posting a series of tutorial posts over on the Closet Case Files blog breaking down the more involved parts of the construction process.
Also opting for a tutorial series covering a few specific parts of the construction process is Jennifer Lauren for her new Ivy Pinafore Dress.
Over on the Sew House Seven blog a sew-along post for each version of the recent Toaster Sweater patterns has been published. These two designs caught my eye when they were released last month and one may have been under my needle this weekend!
Upcoming!
After the success of her Watson Bra & Bikini last year Amy from Cloth Habit is working on her second bra pattern. I heard mention that a few lucky people got to check it out a Camp Workroom Social last weekend and I can't wait to see!
Halfmoon Atelier are currently testing their second sewing pattern, the Delphy. I really like Meghann's aesthetic so am looking forward to seeing what it is this time.
Jennifer Lauren has been working hard on her first menswear sewing pattern. The Auden Cardigan is coming soon.
The newly released Julietta Pants from Wear Lemonade are the the first of their Midnight Bloom collection. Coming next is the Thelma Cape.
There's a new pattern coming from the Avid Seamstress soon which Lisa gave us a sneaky peak of on Instagram. It's an adult raglan dress.
Other Exciting News
Thread Theory's mens Fairfield Button-Up Shirt is now available in print! I've not yet checked out their paper patterns but am always tempted by their lovely packaging.
Alongside her Ellsworth Coat Christine Haynes has updated her packaging a logo for a fresh clean look that really suits her design style.
Megan Nielsen has been looking for plus size fit models as she's branching out into a larger size range. Eyes peeled for those new releases.
Jolies Bobines sewing book
Pattern Fantastique are now selling paper patterns starting with their Aeolian Tee, Genoa Tote and Lucent Visor. They are currently only shipping within Australia.
Style Arc are trialling selling multisize PDF patterns on Etsy starting with their new Ellie-Mae Top. There are three size groupings and all sizes are now in one file and differentiated by coloured lines.
In House Patterns revealed their new In House Patterns Studio which is a collection of online courses launching wth 'Building Garments That Fit: The Custom Stretch Knit Skirt'. The courses will teach you industry techniques for drafting and manipulating your custom blocks.
All of How To Do Fashion's patterns are now available as PDF downloads and are currently 20% off in their online store for 24 hours only!
Phew that was a lot going on this month! Looking forward to seeing what's November has in store. As always here's a bit of inspiration from the sewing community to get your creative juices flowing!
Elena's black denim Erin Skirt is so chic! Love her fabric and button choices. I may well possibly totally rip this off as I think it needs to be in my wardrobe!
I am so taken with Charlie's faux wrap version of the popular Ultimate Pencil Skirt pattern. It looks pretty straightforward to do from the tutorial and is again an idea I've added to my wish list.
Tilly's Cascade Anorak looks good enough to eat! The pale blue fabric choice combined with a classic striped lining nail that nautical vibe and the anchor patch inside is the perfect finishing touch.
I loved Winnie's version of the Rosa Dress. The chambray, coloured topstitching and the way it fits make it look like a totally different pattern. Safari chic!
Lauren from Lady Sewalot combined the Madalynne Noelle Bra with the skirt of the Lady Skater dress to make this cute little scuba number! I would never have though to use a bra pattern as the basis for a dress but it so works and the style suits her so well.