Here’s a collection of gifts that might be appropriate for your dad? I don’t know him, so it’s tough for me to say. Perhaps they’d be good patterns for you to sew for yourself?
Scrap-Busting sewing patterns
Since it’s the middle of November (and therefore practically Christmas), I’ve rounded up a few patterns for scrap-busting, many of which would make great gifts!
More free sew-able gift ideas
Here’s a short & cheerful post with 10 free sewing patterns which could be good for Christmas. Also check out this recent post!
Mood, bike satchel
Gifts for makers
It’s that time of year when you’re maybe thinking about stocking-stuffers to buy for yourself.. But maybe you can just send the link to this page to your nearest and dearest and hope they take the hint?
Because of those international shipping delays I keep hearing about, here’s a roundup of things which are mostly from NZ (with a few Aussie shops thrown in) which might make great gifts for makers in your life!
Repair kit in tin from Hawes & Freer (NZ)
This is the kind of kit that I always think (I’ll make myself one and pack it next time I travel, but I never do)!
Seam ripper and awl, double-ended from Miss Maude (NZ)
Hand turned and crafted from reclaimed native timbers of Aotearoa! This is currently sold out, but the native timber pieces here seem to come in and out of stock.
New Zealand Paua Shell Buttons from Wild and Wooly Yarns (NZ)
Snips from Drapers Fabric (NZ)
These Japanese-made snips come with a lifetime warranty. thread them through a long necklace and wear them while you craft and you’ll avoid losing them on your crafting table!
KATM tin gift set of labels from Miss Maude (NZ)
Rainbow thread snips from Ribbon Rose (NZ)
Is it possible to feel sadness when you’re snipping threads with rainbow snips or scissors?
A few strange additions:
- Insect conservation pins (NZ). These very fine and quite flexible pins will be perfect when dealing with slippery fine fabrics.
- Once you go cutting mat, you never got back! Cutting mat, rotary cutter and quilting ruler packs (NZ)
- A simflex expanding sewing gauge (NZ)
- A buttonhole chisel from Fox’s Cottage (NZ)
- A bobbin storage tree from Ribbon Rose (NZ)
- Retractable measuring tape on key chain (NZ)
- Wooden spool rack for threads (NZ)
- A made-in-NZ wooden tailor’s clapper (NZ)
- Gardener’s hand cream for when tencel sucks all the moisture from your hands
Pie carrier bag
This pie carrier bag is a simple and quick project which will give you the perfect way to carry tasty treats to a picnic!
Will fit 15″x9″ rectangle dish, a 10″ square dish, a 10″ pie dish, a 10″ wide salad bowl with decently high sides, and a 10″ wide casserole dish with a lid (overall height of 6″)
Giftable sewing projects for kids
If you’re thinking ahead to Christmas too, here’s a roundup of free sewing patterns which would make great gifts for the small humans in your life!
Little Cat Friends Bag from Below the Kōwhai
20 free Christmas gift patterns
It’s almost that time of the year! That time of the year where I think I should be a bit more selfless and sew more handmade gifts! Here’s a roundup of free sewing patterns which would make great gifts!
Spring sewing with NZ designers
The weather is kind of warming up here (with a few diversions along the way), so what better time to have a roundup of spring-appropriate patterns from NZ designers?
Check out these other NZ pattern blogs
- See the full list of NZ pattern companies here
- Summer sewing patterns roundup
- Autumn sewing patterns roundup
from Muna and Broad (Christchurch)
The ultimate scrap buster, this cami and cami dress is bra-friendly, features bust darts and a facing for a high quality finish.
This cami was drafted for a D cup (4″ difference between over bust and full bust measurement).
from Forget-Me-Not Patterns (Wellington)
Ella is a gathered skirt pattern designed for woven fabrics. It’s a step above basic, with a subtle high-low hem finished with a gathered tier.
from Jennifer Lauren Handmade (Dunedin)
The Farris Jumpsuit & Playsuit is part of JLH’s Quincy+Mayberry mix’n’match sewing pattern set.
Switch out tops and bottoms between the three patterns in the range to create an almost endless mix of perfect dresses, jumpsuits and playsuits (rompers) to match your own taste and wardrobe needs.
from Scroop Patterns (Wellington)
The Robin Dress is a princess seamed dress with a swishy skirt.
There are pattern pieces for Small (A-B), Medium (C-D) & Large (DD/E+) busts.
From Make by TFS (Auckland)
A playful every-day knit dress pattern, designed to suit a variety of knit fabrics for all seasons, the skirt has subtle paneling to allow for maximised fabric yield.
from Trish Newberry Design (Dunedin)
The Farris Jumpsuit & Playsuit is part of JLH’s Quincy+Mayberry mix’n’match sewing pattern set.
Switch out tops and bottoms between the three patterns in the range to create an almost endless mix of perfect dresses, jumpsuits and playsuits (rompers) to match your own taste and wardrobe needs.
from Makyla Creates (Christchurch)
The Camille is a cropped, loose fitting top with a curved neck line. The front has two ties, and the shirred sleeves sit just above the elbow.
from Paper Theory Patterns (previously of Dunedin)
A modern, oversized t-shirt, designed to look relaxed and feel easy to wear in a woven fabric.
The body is much wider than a regular t-shirt and the sleeves are longer than normal, sitting just above the elbow, with the angular square armholes being its hallmark feature. The neckline has a hidden binding to complement its minimalist design and the hem turn ups are extra deep to emphasise its boxy silhouette.
from Below the Kōwhai (Christchurch)
These dungarees have a relaxed fit with simple style lines, with shorts or trouser variations and a cuffed hem.
Get the matching kid-sized Tipa too!
More warm weather sewing inspo?
- Shirts, shirts, shirts
- Free sewing patterns
- Sewing with fold-over elastic
- Sewing swimwear
- Sewing for men
Want to get printing?
Email your PDF pattern files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet and postage within NZ is available
Sewing Sleepwear
Everyone has different needs with their sleepwear! Some folks like knits, some folks love a classic piped PJ, some folks want a nightgown (if this is you, I feel like you’re in the minority because no patterns turned up, sorry).
Sleepwear is a constant need throughout the year, but I inevitably think more about it as we get closer to Christmas (maybe because I always feel like you should have new and extra-presentable sleepwear for Christmas Day?)!
My sleepwear preferences
You can see me in my PJs and my robe below, and while the PJs are perfect for me in warmer weather, during the winter I swap the PJs top out for a knit turtleneck to keep my neck warm! Personally, PJs shorts let my thighs touch in bed, which heats me up far too much regardless of what the season is. But, hopefully you’ll find something that meets your requirements below!
The Spinifex PJs and Medlow Robe from Muna and Broad
Available in the standard M&B range of 102-162cm bust and 105-182cm hip, these patterns bring ‘classic sleepwear’ and add comfort and functionality for plus-size bodies.
The aptly named Free Pyjamas Pattern from The Assembly Line is available from 80-138cm bust and 91-139cm hip
The Lucy Robe from Make by TFS is available from 79.5-149.5cm bust and 89.5-159.5cm hip and TFS will grade to your size if you fall outside of their size range.
The free Loungewear Set from Peppermint Sewing Magazine is available from 78-123cm bust and 87-132cm hip and can be downloaded in return for your email address on their website.
The Agnes PJs from Paper Theory
Available from 80-142 cm bust and 86-146cm hip, the Agnes come with short and pants-length options.
The Pine Cove Pajamas from Itch to Stitch are available from 79-152.5cm bust and 84-157.5cm hip
These unique PJs have a wrap-front!
Are you more vintage inspired and want more glamour in your home wear? Check out these PDF downloads of vintage loungewear patterns.
The Carolyn Pajama from Closet Core Patterns is available from 79-117cm bust and 84-122cm hip
These traditional-look PJs bring the notched collar, breast pocket and piped details that are synonymous with classic PJs!
The Compose Robe from Love Notions is available from 84-146cm bust and 90-151cm hip
With 2 length options, and an option for a hood, the pattern comes with a bonus hair wrap pattern
The Gabriela Pajama Suit from DIBY Club is available from 78-160cm bust and 86-170cm hip
If you’re interested in matching onesies for the whole family, check out some of the men’s patterns below!
Not strictly sleepwear, the Dyadic Eyemask from Sophie Hines upgrades the usual eyemask patterns and gives you something with adjustable elastic!
Also check out the collection of sleepwear from StyleArc!
On the hunt for men?
– PJ bottoms from Thread Theory
– Knit PJs 2-piece from Sew A Little Seam (free)
– Onesie from 5 out of 4 patterns
– Unisex PJs bottoms from Wardrobe for Me
– Unisex PJs bottoms from PfP (free)
– Traditional PJs from Rebecca Page
– Matching set of onesies for the family
Shirts revisited
Of course, I’ve got shirts on the mind since I’ve been making a lot of Tarawi Shirts recently! But, I also wanted to round out the 3rd part in my ‘blogs with shirt patterns’ series.
If you’ve got a favourite shirt that I haven’t included, let me know in the comments!
The Tarawi Shirt from Muna and Broad
Available from 91-168cm bust and 105-182cm hip, this pattern comes with 4 cup-sizes, 2 views, narrow and regular bicep options, and narrow and regular neck options!
The Bombazine Shirt is available from 84-152.5cm chest and 93-167.5cm hip
This short-sleeved shirt has a one-piece camp collar and is menswear inspired
The Melody Dolman from Love Notions was recommended by @nickibeesews!
Available from 84-146cm bust and 90-151cm hip, has a camp-style collar, and a shirt-tail hem.
The Novelista Shirt from Blank Slate
Available from 79-135cm bust and 86-149cm hip, the shirt comes with two back view options, princess seams and short or long-sleeves.
The Granville Shirt from Sewaholic is available from a 76-114cm bust and 91-130cm hip
This pattern has front darts and princess seams at the back for shaping.
The Willis Shirt from Seamwork
Available from 84-137cm bust and 89-147cm hip, this sleeveless shirt has a stand collar and bias-finished armholes.
The Kalle Shirt from Closet Core Patterns is available from 79-117cm bust and 84-122cm hip in their 0-20 size range and 107-152.5cm bust and 114-160cm in their 14-32 size range (patterns must be purchased separately)
There are 3 views which have different lengths and collars and you can also purchase a pattern expansion to add long sleeves to the pattern.
Looking for more shirts?
More shirt patterns, including shirt patterns for men can be found on the blog here
More shirt patterns, including free shirt patterns can be found on the blog here
Looking for fabric for shirts in NZ?
Check out the other posts in the series for fabric shop recommendations!