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.
Double gauze in NZ?
Here’s a little list of places that I’ve spotted with double gauze, ordered vaguely by price, from lowest to highest.
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.
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.
Workwear Jackets, Chore Jackets, Artist Jackets! Hard-wearing jackets for working hard in (and not working hard in)! It’s handy to have big pockets to fill full of things (who doesn’t need a dedicated mask pocket), which will make up for the lack of pockets in so many of the clothes you don’t sew for yourself.
Without further rambling, a selection of Chore Jacket Sewing Patterns!
Cobden Chore Jacket
The Cobden from Muna and Broad is available up to a 162cm (64″) bust and 182cm (71.5″) hip
Over on the ChCh Sews instagram this weekend I asked if you were sewing for winter or if you’ve emotionally moved forward to planning your makes for warmer weather- summer and spring it was! Of course, my mind jumps to swimsuits, so here we are!
Nobody asked but I’ve also included my favourite local-to-Christchurch pools! Scroll down to check them out.
Faye Swimsuit
The Faye Swimsuit from Closet Core Patterns has multiple views and is available up to a 63″ hip
Most t-shirt patterns will be suitable for converting to a rash vest, but I especially like long sleeves and a high neck for the sun protection! Check out this round up of knit tees for more ideas if the Tarlee isn’t for you!
Claudia Bikinis
This bikini from Jalie is available up to a 66.5″ hip
I love a little dip, but I also love to float about in warm water. Here’s some of my favourite dips to take my me-made togs in order of distance from Chch
The Frances Shirt from Fibremood is a free pattern which is available from sizes XS-XXXL
Peppermint Jumpsuit
Do you remember when the free Peppermint Jumpsuit from In The Folds took over sewing instagram? I sure do!
Buyer beware
It’s always a good idea to research patterns before cutting into your good fabric, but especially free patterns! Sometimes you get exactly what you pay for! Check out the hashtags on instagram and do a quick google search (or check out a website like pattern review .com). Most of what I’ve included here are from established pattern designers, so it’s likely that you’ll be getting something that’s consistent with their paid releases.
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
Wren Shirt
The free Wren Shirt Pattern from Mood Sewciety is just 1 of SO MANY free patterns on their website.
Hello lovely readers- here’s a quick roundup of some ready-to-wear clothes and patterns that you could use to ‘steal that look’ and sew yourself a version!
Dupe this linen top with The Rātā Top from Chch-based Below the Kōwhai
This linen was in stock at Draper Fabrics a few years ago and you might spot it in your local bricks and mortar store. I feel like it came as both a linen print and a rayon- you can see other patterned rayons at Drapers Fabrics.
