I’m on a sewing roundup kick and today I’ve got some more giftable sewing patterns… All of these would also make great self-gifts (that’s where you just make them for yourself…. my favourite kind of gifting)!
The Apreon
This cross-back apron comes in Small Child (3-8yrs), Smaller Adult, and the usual Muna and Broad size range (up to 71.5″ hip)
Perfect in a variety of fabrics, and with free enough sizing that it’s possible to take a punt on a size that’s close enough for someone, a dressing gown in gorgeous fabric makes for a luxurious gift!
I have 2 of these and I’m surprised by the amount of use that they get! Even if I’m eating at the table, I use my cosy to protect my fingers on the way to the table!
You can love an indoor pursuit like sewing and also enjoy the great outdoors. But, you can also be an inside cat and sew for the folks in your life who love the outdoors! Are there some goodies in here that are perfect for gifting? Absolutely!
There’s a mix of free and paid patterns in here- if they’re free, it’s specifically stated!
This drybag pattern from Sew Outdoors comes with 10 different sizes of dry bags!
This relatively new sewing pattern company even makes some great suggestions here on what outdoor accoutrements will fit into each size bag.
Wood Carrier
This Wood Carrier Pattern from Noodlehead looks like a very straightforward pattern where you can sink your teeth into hefty fabrics and webbings.
Cycling Hat
This free tutorial steps you through sewing a cycling hat
Activewear?
Are you (or are they) the kind of outdoors person who appreciates activewear? Checkout the roundup of Activewear Sewing Patterns on the blog, which also includes a list of some places where you can buy activewear and outdoors fabric in NZ.
The Stitchback LP
The Stitchback LP looks super outdoorsy but also looks like the kind of pattern which is just asking to be made from primary colours!
Pretty high up on the things I’d never though one could sew for themselves… is this free tutorial for a DIY camping hammock
Stitchback Chalk Bag
The Stitchback Chalk Bag is intended for climbing dust… but I see it and think ‘snacks’! Fill it full of dog treats for walkies, or snacks for yourself!
This Balaclava pattern from Grasser (one of several different pattern options)
Camp Ditty Bag
This free Camp Ditty Bag Pattern gave such a goreous final product that it didn’t really matter that I had no idea what a ditty bag was for!
Apparently it’s a small bag for your personal effects and important bits (like if you’re a scout), and the idea is that you keep things in one place close at hand.
Trail wallet
This free trail wallet pattern is designed for carrying only the essentials!
Want to get printing?
Email your PDF pattern files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet and A4 from $.15 per page
It’s the time of the year where I start to think about sewing projects for other people! So, in honour of that, here’s 10 bag patterns or free tutorials for you!
If you’ve read these Dupe posts before then you know they’re really just an excuse for me to dump a heap of info all in one place, and also a thing I use to justify how I’m always looking to find the exact fabric that has been used to make clothes!
In this episode, I also tell you where to find double gauze in NZ and drop some links to what might be new-to-you fabric stores!
Duplicate these looks
The Matilda Dress from Cool Stitches would be a lovely dupe for this summery dress.
Dupe this cornflower blue silk top with the Barons Dress from Daughter Judy Patterns or the LB Pullover from Paper Theory.
Cornflower silk from The Fine Cloth Company would be a great match but I also recommend Fab Fabrics, who frequently has 40% off their silk if you’re an email newsletter subscriber.
Use the Belemnite Dress from Marilla Walker and silk crepe de chine from Hawes and Freer in Auckland or the silk cdc from The Fine Cloth Company in Wellington to replicate this sage green dress.
For a cheaper fabric, a tencel twill from The Fabrics Shop in Otara could work.
Use the Bakerloo Blouse with added tiers with a cotton voile or lovely crisp cotton lawn.
I definitely think the Muna and Broad Atrax Top is a great dupe for this but the StyleArc Esme, Forget-Me-Not Sylvie, and True Bias Nikko also have similarities.
Some fun new patterns have come through the printer in the last wee while, so here’s a roundup of some goodies that looked particularly interesting! I’ve also included some recommendations for NZ-based places to shop for fabrics which would be a good fit for these projects.
Mitchell Trousers
The Mitchell Trousers is a new pattern from Closet Core in Canada. They’re available in 2 size ranges, the largest up to a 160cm (63″) hip.
Pleated trouser with a fly front, they have deep pleats and a tapered and wide-leg view.
The Millicent Wrap Dress from Aussie-based StyleArc is available up to 154cm (61″) hip and comes with elbow length and bracelet length sleeve options.
Lightweight summery fabrics?
Check out my blogpost on ‘Seersucker in NZ‘ and the range of lovely cottons from The Fine Cloth Company in Wellington (I the Washer Cotton would make a great dress)! As always, Miss Maude has a delightful selection of shirting weight fabrics.
Matilda Dress
The Matilda Dress from Cool Stitches is available up to 153.7cm (60.5″)
This new-to-me pattern company has some great fashion-forward sewing patterns.
Classic Shirt
The Classic Shirt from Modern Sewing Co is available up to 119cm (46.8″) hip, which is smaller than the size range available on some of their other patterns.
PDF Sewing Patterns from NZ? A roundup of Indie Sewing Patterns from NZ? A collection of New Zealand Sewing Patterns? Yes- I’m back with more!
Sylvie Knit Top
The Sylvie Knit Top from Forget-me-not Patterns is a drapey design with options, including a cowl neck, flutter sleeves, and more understated sleeveless and round neck views.
Peggy Top
The Peggy Top and Dress pattern from My Keeper has a wrap top and a non-wrap dress both of which have butterfly sleeves.
Isobel Dress
The Isobel Dress from Paper Doll Patterns is one of the new-ish women’s patterns from a designer that’s already released quite a few children’s designs!
Chloe Maxi
The Chloe Tiered Maxi Dress from Makyla Creates is a tiered maxi dress that screams of summer, but could also be layered under a turtleneck for ChCh summer.
Welcome to Dupe This episode 3, you can catch episode 2 and episode 1 on the blog.
The dupe in this means duplicate rather than to be tricked by. Although, I suppose if the pattern and fabric match I recommend is a good enough match then you might trick people into thinking you purchased this exact look, thereby duping them?
Maybe it works both ways!
Wrap or Faux Wrap Dress
This dress pairs a great printed woven fabric with a wrap (or faux wrap bodice that’s finished with a self-fabric bias binding. There’s a casing around the waist for ties (which seem to tie in the back or the side) and the sleeves are elbow length with a slight blouson that’s gentle gathered into cuffs.
If what you love about the jackets above is the bold colours, check out the range of Canvas & Drills at The Fabric Box in Auckland. They have fabric in that bright Yves Klein blue!
V-neck Dress with ruffles
This dress has a v-neck, dropped shoulders with gathered sleeves. There’s 2 tiers of fabric gathered into the bodice. The fabric used brings a decent amount of structure which lets the sleeves sit out from the body rather having them drape down the arm.
A cotton shirting will be the best fabric to replicate the look of the shirt on the left (poplin, lawn, etc). A chambray or shirt-weight denim will replicate the shirt on the right.
Dupe the fabric
If you’ve been on the ChCh sews email newsletter you’ll know that I LOVE finding garments made from fabrics I’ve seen online. I spotted these dresses that are made with silk check from TFS! I love how this simple silhouette lets the fabric shine.
I’d say that with the round neckline and welt pockets the closest pattern match would be the Tamarack Jacket from Grainline Studios. However, this jacket has a dropped shoulder and a much more relaxed fit than the Tamarack, and if that’s what you like then perhaps the M&B Grainger Coat is for you.
Hello Friends! I know we recently pronounced that cool weather sewing was done with and that collectively we’d emotionally moved on to sewing for warmer weather. Well, I’ve fallen into a rabbit hole of quilts, quilting and quilted garments and the warm weather can be damned!
Here’s 10 great quilted jacket PDF sewing patterns which were designed specifically with quilted fabrics in mind!
Grainger Coat
The Grainger from Muna and Broad is available up to a 162cm (64″) bust and 182cm (71.5″) hip.
The pattern comes with 2 lengths and different size pockets to keep the look proportional.
The Tamarack Jacket
The OG Tamarack from Grainline Studio is available in 2 size ranges (purchased separately) up to a 142cm (56″) bust and 149cm (59″) hip
The Tamarack features fancy welt pockets and View B has buttons up the front (and I presume a bit of extra length across the front to give them space).
Patchwork Chore Coat
This Patchwork Coat from Patchwork and Poodles was designed with quilting in mind! It’s available up to a 147cm (58″) bust and 152cm (60″) hip. The coat pattern can be combines with the quilt patterns from the same company.
The Beachcomber from Laundry Basket Quilts has no easy to find info on their size chart but the picture was so quilt-y that I included it anyway!
Juniper Quilted Jacket
The Juniper from Sarah Kirsten is available up to a 163cm (64″) bust and 142cm (56″) waist.
This jacket comes with 2 lengths and different shaped pockets.
Easton Jacket
The Easton from Seamwork is ‘free’ if you’re a Seamwork member and is available up to a 137cm (54″) bust and 147cm (58″) hip
This jacket has a shawl collar which I haven’t seen on other quilted jackets!
Snaps on your Jacket?
Although some quilted outers use regular buttons, quite a few seem to use snaps! If you’re thinking you’d like to get serious about adding snaps to your me-mades then you might want a snap press!
I bought mine from Minkylicious (and still haven’t used it yet), but shops which specialise in nappy fabrics will likely be selling snap tools (GreenBeans NZ is).
Molly Jacket
The Molly from Fibre Mood is available up to 146cm (57.5″) bust and 145cm (57″) hip.
Gibson Coat
The Gibson from It’s All In The Stitch is a reversible pattern that’s available up to 127cm (50″) bust and 132cm (52″) hip
Want to get printing?
Email your PDF pattern files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet and A4 from $.15 per page
