A0 printing in Christchurch, NZ
Hello and welcome to this follow-up post to my Rain wear roundup from 2022. There’s been some great wet weather pattern releases since my last roundup, and I’ve included my faves here!
This rain poncho coat from Grasser is available up to 132cm (52″) hip
This isn’t really the right time of year for this, but I’ve decided to destash some wool coatings on my @chch_destash account. If you’re slow-sewing you could start now and be ready in time for the winter chill instead of only getting half a season out of your rushed warm outer layer (ask me how I know)!
Cashmerette
The Canton Moto Jacket (left) and the Auburn Blazer from Cashmerette are great projects for pairing with cosy fabrics like wool coating. 2
Hot tip: did you know you can contact zip manufacturer YKK in Auckland and buy zips in as many styles, lengths and colours as you can imagine?! I’ve even heard that they’ll colourmatch for you if you post them a swatch!
Mallee Jacket
Designed with boiled wool in mind, the Mallee Jacket is perfect for pairing with any non-fraying wool.
Cortland Trench
The Cortland Trench from Grainline Studios can be purchased in Sizes 0-18 and Sizes 14-30
I don’t know how cosy this pattern is, but there’s something about storm flaps that I love! If you feel the same, see more patterns with storm flaps here.
Shoalhaven Shacket
The Shoalhaven Shacket is surprisingly fabric thrifty requiring just 2.7m or 3m, depending on the size.
Grasser Patterns
I’m not 100% sure but it’s possible that plus-size No662 Coat (left) and straight-size No142 Coat (right) are equivalent patterns.
Grant Coat
The Grant Coat from Daughter Judy is available up to a 169cm (66.5″) hip and comes in a long length (pictured) and a shorter length.
Stadtmantel
The Stadtmantel from Stokx Patterns can be purchased in size-bands up to 148cm (58″) hip
Email your PDF pattern files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet.
It’s always interesting to me when I print a lot of the same pattern for folks who are all over NZ! Here are some of the patterns I’ve printed numerous times over the past few months. Not all of these are new patterns, so it’s interesting to see when patterns from a few years back surge in popularity once more.
Zadie Jumpsuit
The Zadie Jumpsuit which took the Instagram sewing world by storm when it was released.. maybe 5 years ago.. has been hitting my printer once more! If a jumpsuit isn’t for you, perhaps the recently released Zadie Dress is?
A popular print that works great across the seasons, the Clo Bias Skirt from Aussie Soften Studio is a regular on the printer!
Medlow Robe
My theory is that folks are preparing to cosy up for winter and that’s why I’ve been printing so many M&B Medlow Robe. We purposefully gave this pattern hefty seam allowances so you could pair it with plush fabrics like waffle, or even towelling or fleece.
The Toaster Sweater(s) from Sew House 7 return every year around this time as we try to get cosy but still look fancy
Speaking of cosy but fancy, what’s fancier than boiled wool? I’ve got some lovely pink boiled wool on @chch_destash and you could use it for sweaters or for the patterns included in this Boiled Wool Patterns roundup!
Rossi + Fredy Wrap
The Rossi + Fredy Wrap Dress bundle from ChCh-based The Bold One comes with so many options for different sleeves and necklines that you could really fill your wardrobe with these (and many NZ-makers are)!
Lea Bias Dress
Another popular print from Aus-based Soften Studio is the Lea Bias Dress. I’m pleased to note as I’ve been printing patterns from here, the size chart is slowly increasing! One day I might even get to test one out myself.
The matching Tamarama Set was perfectly timed to capture the European-summer-holiday-wearing-relaxed-PJs-as-daywear vibe!
Email your PDF pattern files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet.
You may have noticed that I’ve been working my way through my fabric collection and listing some things that no longer ‘spark joy’ on @chch_destash on instagram.
Unfortunately, I think this post will look best on your phone and on a computer you might need to click through to the instagram post to double-check how close I got to the inspo photo with my suggested fabric!
Duplicate this look with one of the many shirt patterns listed here and the Jackie Trousers from By Hand London
Blue with yellow pinstripe vintage fabric 112cm $15 per metre
I have a roll of blue mystery fabric with a yellow pinstripe from a local vintage shop that stopped selling vintage/deadstock fabrics. I believe the story with this is that it was shirting fabric from a Christchurch manufacturer that had closed down some time ago. Unknown fibre but a nice crisp shirting that’s opaque enough to make pants.
Dupe this look with the free Peppermint Bardon designed by Elbe Textiles
Extra hefty hot pink linen 140 x 3m $100
This 200gsm hot pink A+R Linen is a delight but I’ve fallen out of love with pink for my wardrobe. . It’s for the heft of heavyweight linen but the lovely sheeny weave of a lighter weight linen. It’s the perfect shade of barbie hot pink and would work for tops, pants and even lightweight outer layers.
Duplicate this summery dress with Ella Dress from Silver Saga or the Vali Dress from Pattern Fantastique
Classic blue and white vertical stripe cotton shirting 150 x 3.4m $50
This fabric would be a great fit for shirts, especially oversized shirts (see a roundup here) or summery shirt dresses!
Of course this fabric would make great pants, but would also be great as a dress. A pattern similar to this dress is The Cove Slip from Les Perlines
Tencel twill chartreuse 150 x 2.5 $80
Lenzing brand Tencel 195gsm this one is extra hefty, perfect as pants weight fabric. This is the nicest tencel I’m listing, I just don’t love the colour anymore.
Colour is most accurate in 1st pic of the fabric
Dupe the double gauze cardigan with the Esme Cardigan from Named Patterns or make a cute blouse like the Wren from Chalk and Notch
I’ve got a few wool suitings and cotton chino fabrics listed on @chch_destash which would all make great winter pants!
Don’t forget to follow along with @chch_destash on instagram as I’m still working through my fabrics, and have started listing bits that passed the initial cull!
Who doesn’t love something for free? Here’s 10 free knit tee sewing patterns all rounded up for you!
The Hemlock Tee from Grainline goes up to 154.9cm (61″) hip
Plantain T-Shirt
The Plantain T-Shirt from Deer and Doe is a personal favourite of mine!
Available up to 152.4cm (60″) hip
The Core T-shirt from Closet Core is free to email newsletter subscribers.
Available up to 160cm (63″) hip
Jesse Tee
The Jesse Tee from True Bias is a free pattern that you can access when you sign up for their email newsletter.
Available up to 156cm (61.5″) hip
The ABBTee from Cooper Creek Patterns is available up to 170cm (67″) hip
Basic Instinct Tee
The Basic Instinct Tee from Secondo Piano is a free pattern that you can access when you sign up to her email newsletter.
Available up to a 42.5″ (108cm) bust and 45.5″ (115cm) hip
Vera Knit Top
The Vera Knit Top from NZ-based Forget Me Not Patterns is an elevated top for t-shirt fabrics.
This pay-what-you-can pattern is available up to 153cm (60.5″) hip
Another elevated knit top, the Daisy Top from Mood Fabrics is available up to 160cm (63″) hip
Wanderlust Tee
The Wanderlust Tee from Fancy Tiger Crafts is available for free when you sign up to a free week-long trial for Craftsy.
Also grab the Shirt No 2 from Sonya Phillips from Craftsy if you sign up for a trial!
Monroe Turtleneck
The Monroe Turtleneck pattern is a free knit tshirt pattern from Tessuti available from XXS-XXL
Email your PDF pattern files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet.
There’s something about this time of the year that makes me want new PJs- I’m not sure if it’s about presentable sleepwear for Christmas day, or if it’s so I can enter the new year fresh and crisp?
Whatever the reason, I’ve got a need for presentable loungeable sleepwear, and I’m clearly going to be sewing it!
The Fifey PJs
Named for the M&B greyhound mascot (and his favourite activity), the Fifey PJs are knit PJs.
To celebrate their launch there’s 15% off all M&B loungewear with code LOUNGETOWN
Gibson Loungewear
The Gibson Loungewear Set from In The Folds is a 2-piece set that can be made with an alternate dress view.
The Medlow Robe
Perfect for layering over your PJs or for layering over exactly nothing…. the Medlow Robe is perfect loungewear and perfect concert wear..?!
Save 15% on the Medlow Robe (and all M&B loungewear) with code LOUNGETOWN
Luna Lounge Set
The Luna Lounge Set from Jennifer Lauren Handmade is a two-piece matching set that can be made in varying lengths.
Cal Pajama Set
The Cal Pajama Set from Seamwork has a racerback and fitted shorts with a faux fly
The Fran Pajamas
The Fran Pajamas are a recent release from Closet Core Patterns which are designed to be nightware that fits the ‘Pajamas as daywear’ vibe!
Nocture Pajamas
The Nocturne Pajamas from Sew Liberated is a two-piece set for woven fabrics that has long and short-sleeve options.
Free Pattern
The free Harlow Pajamas from Gertie’s Charm Patterns has been previously included in a roundup of free patterns but not in a PJs roundup.. So, here you go!
Kids Classic Pajamas
The aptly named Kids Classic Pajamas from Made by me patterns are pretty classic pajamas for kids
Free PJs
The Devin Pajamas are a free pattern from Fabrics Shop
The Mulberry Pajamas
The Mulberry Pajamas from Sewing and the City comes with shorts and pants options
Lara Loungewear
The Lara Loungewear Set from Swim Style Patterns- they don’t only do things to swim in!
Email your PDF pattern files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet.
A little bit of an unusual premise for this blog- fabrics & garment inspo that remind me of the gardens of Piet Oudolf (see more here and also here).
Piet Oudolf designed the high line garden/park in NYC, and all of the fabrics suggested here are from nz fabric stores.
Rickardi Viscose Lawn – Parrotdise Sky Blue $41.90/m from Miss Maude
Designer End – Fun Spring Colour Viscose Lawn $22 pm from The Fine Cloth Company
Oval Shank Button etched vine floral design from Drapers Fabrics
Wintergarden Sateen Double Georgette – Night $26.00 per metre from The Fabric Store
Vertigo Floral Print Crepe – Mustard $28.00 from Fabric Box
Email your PDF pattern files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet.
My style-prediction for southern hemisphere summer is ‘European Summer Holiday Vibes’. Breezy, woven, natural-fibre clothes which have a slightly fancier edge. Think things you could throw on over togs when heading to the beach, but which are nice enough to wear to sunny afternoon drinks.
The kind of clothes you’d pack for a summer vacay on the European coast. Think Daniel Craig’s seersucker two-piece swimsuit from Glass Onion, Aubrey Plaza’s wardrobe in White Lotus (particularly this vintage dress and this striped shirt). Neutral coloured linens and crisp shirtings, pleated pants but relaxed shirts, there’s matching sets and plenty of elastic-waisted wide-leg pants.
So here’s a summer-style inspired Dupe This.
The striped shirt is the obvious starting point, and I saw it coming when I set up this Summer Stripe Pinterest Board. Crisp shirting in vertical stripes (lots of white and cream as the neutral shade).
Check out my roundup of oversized shirts for the perfect smart, but casual, sun protection excellence.
I love the crumpled cotton look on this dress, and I think The Fine Cloth Company’s Washer Cotton in lilac would be a great dupe.
No exact dupe patterns but Quincy from Jennifer Lauren, Naomi from StyleArc, Wildwood Wrap Dress or Melba from Muna and Broad all have aspects of the inspo.
I think we’ll be seeing a lot of relaxed-fit shirts in fun summery prints (probably with matching pants or shorts).
Check out my roundups of not specifically oversized shirts part 1, part 2, and part 3 or specifically the Waikerie Shirt or Gilbert Top and this fabric.
I love to find an exact fabric match- it’s much easier with prints than it is with solid fabrics. Use this cotton shirting for an exact fabric match with Romey from Sew House 7, or Huon from Muna and Broad
Whether it’s excellent straight line holes or broderie anglaise holes, what says summer more than fabric with holes in it?
Make a shirt or a shirt dress (lots of links above) or a boxy top like Augustina (free), Torrens (extended sizes), or Square Neck Top,
Email your PDF pattern files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet.
If you’re thinking about sewing big shirts, this is the roundup for you! This season I’m feeling inspired by relaxed fit, natural fibre shirts- they’re 1 part fancy and 1 part sun protection!
Let’s kick off with the Oversized Shirt from The Assembly Line- it’s all in the name! You can also purchase a pack of different shaped collars separately.
Available up to 139cm (54″.5″) hip
For Big Shirt Energy, the Lobethal Shirt from Muna and Broad. This lets you skip making a collar and has excellently sized pockets.
Available up to 182cm (71.5″) hip (but will grade up if sizing is too small to include you for no extra cost)
The Cornell Shirt from Elbe Textiles is a casual, oversized shirt with drop shoulder and a grandpa collar which is designed for unisex wearing.
Available up to 143cm (56.5″) hip
The Olya Shirt and Shirtdress from Paper Theory Patterns has a great oversized look and fancy breast pockets that are cleverly constructed into the front. I feel like everyone who makes this raves about the clever drafting which makes this an especially fun sew to sink your teeth into.
Available up to 146cm (57.5″) hip
The Bloom Shirt & Dress from Make by TFS has 3 collar options, which includes some very unique collars!
Available up to 159cm (62.5″) hip but will grade up or down if you’re outside of their size range.
The Ellworth from Merchant & Mills is an An oversized, boxy shirt with a dropped back hem and half placket.
Available up to 145cm (57.5″) hip
The Waikerie Shirt (and the Waikerie Dress Expansion) from Muna and Broad has multiple views and distinct short and long-sleeve options.
Available up to 182cm (71.5″) hip (but will grade up if sizing is too small to include you for no extra cost)
Email your PDF pattern files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet.
Christchurch-makers are headed to see the Barbie Movie this Saturday, so what better time to round up some patterns & fabric to replicate some looks!
The Upton Dress from Cashmerette gives you a wide range of sizes and cup-size options on a princess seam dress and Sew Over It has a few vintage-vibe dress patterns. Charm Patterns has a Patreon-only pattern which is an exact dupe for this dress!
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Dupe Barbie’s pink look with Jude Flare Jeans from Closet Core or Isle Jeans from Chalk & Notch. Use the Birch Vest from Pattern Emporium, Joy Vest from Style Arc for the vest.
Be just Ken! Embrace fringing on a cowboy-style shirt with the Patsy Blouse from Charm Patterns. It comes in 2 size ranges, sleeved and sleeveless options, and many other options too.
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Elbe Textiles’ Serpentine Hat is great for making your own summery hat!
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Lean into the pointy collar vibes of this look with the Fibremood Tilda Dress or the Patina Blouse from Friday Pattern Company.
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Whip yourself up a pink jumpsuit using the free Rational Dress Society patterns, Closet Core’s Blanca Flight Suit, Fibremood’s Leah Jumpsuit.
Embrace nautical T-shirt vibes with Tarlee T-Shirt (up to 64″ (162cm) from Muna and Broad, Concord T-Shirt (up to 62” (157cm) bust) from Cashmerette, or the Gable Top (up to 62″ (157cm) bust) from Jennifer Lauren Handmade, or a free t-shirt from Closet Core (up to 60″ (152cm) bust).
Duplicate this puff sleeve dress with the Cloud Dress from Sewing by Masin, the Gracie Wrap Dress from Chch-based (I think) The Bold One, or ZW Soft Blouse from Birgitta Helmersson.
Complete the look with a Birkenstock sandal.
Double-sided gingham double gauze from For Fabrics Sake
Hot pink tencel twill from The Fabric Shop in Otara
Hot pink wide-rib knit from The Fabric Box
Hot pink cotton voile from The Fabric Store
Magenta chunky corduroy from Harmer & Huff
Pink silk crepe de chine from The Fine Cloth Company
Bubblegum washer cotton from The Fine Cloth Company
Textured ribbed-ish swim fabric from Drapers Fabrics
Email your PDF pattern files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet.
