A0 printing in Christchurch, NZ
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
As it cools down and chilly rainy days increase it gets handier and handier to have something waterproof or hooded. Raincoat or Rain jacket sewing patterns can keep you dry this chilly season.
I’ve rounded up a few options, and some places to shop appropriate fabrics in NZ, but let me know if I’ve missed some!
Sirkka Hooded Jacket
The Sirkka from Named Clothing is a light, unlined jacket with a detachable hood, long sleeves, and a zipper closure. The jacket features a high collar and large patch pockets with a side pocket and another pocket underneath the flap. The top half of the zipper is covered with a zipper shield with snap button closure. The overlapping pocket flaps with snaps create a fun little detail. The hood, hemline and cuffs are gathered with elastic cords. All seams of the jacket are sewn using flat-felled seams for a neat and durable finish.
This week I’m smitten with storm flaps, basically on anything. While they’re functional on jackets or on trench coats (they’re supposed to direct the rain water off you), they’re purely aesthetic on shirts and dresses… I suppose they’re also purely aesthetic on jackets that haven’t used water proof or water resistant fabric..
Either way, I’m obsessed with them, on trench coats but also on dresses and shirts! I like them aesthetic and functional!
The Helmi trench blouse & tunic dress from Named Patterns
The straight-cut blouse has elements from the classic trench coat, such as the cape and sleeve straps. The rounded collar and slightly curved hem with slits add a touch of soft femininity. The more streamlined tunic variation is also straight-cut and has a simple stand-up collar, half sleeves, and a curved hem. Both variations have a discreet and elegant hidden button placket.
Here’s a few pins from my collection which have captured my eye recently, and the fabric and patterns to duplicate them.
Duplicate this outer layer with TFS Poppy Coat, StyleArc Ingrid Coat, I AM Merlin, or Leisl & Co Chaval.
Chocolate houndstooth, carob plaid houndstooth, Miss Maude plaid, or this grandad check coating make a great choice for the jacket.
Bomber Jackets! Does everyone need one? Maybe.
Use these patterns from Seamwork, Grasser, Cashmerette Cashmerette, Trish Newberry, Jalie or the free pattern from Mood
Get your ribbing from Miss Maude, Fable Fabrics, Milky Fabrics, For Fabrics Sake, Backstreet Bargains, or Fabric Box.
Gingham, gathers and a puffy sleeve? Dupe this with the Faye Dress from NZ-based designer Hubba Ding.
The Fabric Store has so many options for gingham, that it’s gingham galore over there!
Find your perfect shacket pattern here on the blog.
Dupe these with purple check wool/alpaca coating, multi-coloured jumbo plaid, a pastel fleece from Mood Fabrics, or black and brown wool check, red and black buffalo plaid.
A yellow dream ensemble! Check out the winter layering roundup for turtleneck options.
Dupe the pants with Audrey Pants or Eddie Woven Pants from StyleArc, the free Sara Pleated Pants, the Inès High Waisted Trousers or the Tatjana Trousers from Just Patterns.
This great gathered dress heroes this excellent fabric which has a brush-stroke patterned fabric.
Dupe it with the Muna and Broad Huon Dress and this painterly pear-print rayon from Fab Fabrics in Auckland.
These patched jackets use repurposed fabric to create a unique jacket!
No fabric suggestions for this one since repurposing and scrap-busting seems to be the aim of the game!
Duplicate the pattern with the Muna and Broad Cobden Chore Jacket, Julien Chore Jacket, the over-shirt, or the free Paola Workwear Shirt.
These silk snakey PJs pair a slippery serpent with slinky silk.
See the ChCh sews roundup of sleepwear patterns.
For snake fabric see this Liberty Fabrics print from Maai Design or this snakey Melanie Macilwain print. The Fine Cloth Company has a great selection of coloured plain silks.
Email your files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started!
Shackets are in for winter this year- I don’t make the rules, but it’s definitely official and I’ve stamped my approval on it!
I say shackets are back, but since there’s always so many folks asking ‘what exactly is a shacket’ I think maybe they’re actually in for the first time?
A shacket is a cross between a shirt and a jacket. Not as warm as a coat, they’re generally unlined wool button-up jackets with button plackets and big chest pockets. They come in a variety of length but they’re almost all oversized and feature a drop shoulder.
Looking for shacket sewing patterns? Or shirt jacket sewing patterns? Here’s a roundup of some of the shackets which can keep you warm this year!
The Savannah Shacket is a free pattern from Mood Sewciety
It’s fruit gathering season. Urban scavenging season. Pear detritus time. Every time I’ve been out with the dog on our long evening walks I’ve regretted not being able to fit Even More Produce into my already ample pockets.
The Pocket Skirt from Peppermint Mag
This free skirt pattern was designed by Tara from Paper Theory and is available from 60-121cm (24-47.5″) waist and 86-146cm (34-57.5″) hip
This free pattern comes in a variety of styles and fits in order to cover a lot of bodies and genders.
Add more pockets. Add cargo pockets on the legs. Prepare to load yourself up!
Muna and Broad
The Belmore Jacket (left) and Sculthorpe Pants (right) both have generous pockets suitable for produce. The pockets on the Belmore are bonus pockets from the M&B Patreon.
The Akerfeldt Coat from Elbe Textiles is available 132cm (52″) chest. This unlined, boxy coat has great pockets and can have a hood or collar.
Those huge gusseted pockets look ideal for filling with goodies!
Stokx Patterns
Berlin-based Aussie pattern designer has The 7 Dress (left) and the Carla Rock skirt (right)
The Rushcutter Dress from Sydney-based In The Folds has pockets which run down to the bottom hem of the dress!
Lichen Duster
The Lichen Duster from Sew Liberated has pockets which could probably be made even deeper
The Soline Shorts from Staystitch Pattern Company
These gusseted pockets could be increased even further to give more room for fruit!
It’s that chilly time of the year where boiled wool returns to shops!
Of course, boiled wool can be a bit confusing. It’s a knit, but it’s for jackets, but it doesn’t fray so you don’t have to overlock or finishes the edges? Many of the patterns below are specifically for boiled wool fabrics!
Free Loden Sweater from Dressmakers’ Guild
Designed specifically for boiled wool, the Muna and Broad Mallee Jacket highlights the non-fraying qualities of boiled wool in this easy-to-sew jacket
The Flared Tunic and Top from Maker Atelier looks great sewn up in boiled wool!
Shoalhaven Shacket and Belmore Jacket
The Muna and Broad Shoalhaven Shacket and Belmore Jacket are pictured here in boiled wool
The free Boxwood Hoodie from Mood Fabrics
The Jameela Jacket from Sewing Patterns by Masin looks excellently cosy in mustard boiled wool!
The Craft of Cloths Xanthea looks great in boiled wool and there’s a great blog on the process.
This boiled wool jacket pattern from Tatyana Designs is described as boxy unlined jacket that requires shoulder pads!
The Tobin Sweater from Cashmerette is shown here in boiled wool!
The Eve Jacket from Schnittchen Patterns
The Jocko pullover from Ready To Sew
The Rye Jacket from Sussex Seamstress looks great sewn up in boiled wool!
I’ve been a bit obsessed with these boiled wool cushion covers, and I’m sure I have enough extra bits of boiled wool in my scrap stash to make myself a few throw cushion covers.
Email your files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started!
Summer sped by and it’s basically time for Autumn. I’ve already purchased my first wide-wale corduroy fabric of the season, so it seemed the perfect time to roundup some cosy projects for you!
Belemnite Dress
The Belemnite Dress from Marilla Walker would look lovely with tights and a cosy coat for chilly weather!
One of the recommended fabrics for The Belemnite Dress is Double Gauze, which is sometimes called Double Muslin (the orange dress above uses this fabric)
Miss Maude has some with great patterned double gauze. For bargain prices, Backstreet Bargains has a lovely wedgewood blue double muslin, and The Fabric Shop in Otara has some lovely colours for $12 p/m. For Fabrics Sake also has some lovely colour options.
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.
One way to make a super speedy quilted coat (like the ) is to purchase pre-quilted fabric! I’m not going to advocate for chopping into a heirloom quality blanket but purchasing quilted bed spreads is a great choice (and since they’re usually so wide, the per metre cost can be really great).
Spotlight & Lincraft have pre-quilted fabrics online (usually poly with poly batting), and many of the local Christchurch bricks-and-mortar stores stock pre-quilted fabrics in basic colours.
Jennifer Lauren Handmade is a Dunedin-based pattern designed who makes patterns with a vintage twist.
These two patterns, the Dulcie Pinafore and the Willa Wrap-Coat are available in her new Curve Size Range.
Twig & Tale
NZ-based Twig & Tale has a lot of outerwear for kids and outerwear for adults (including maternity and baby-carrying wear).
Hove Jacket
The Hove Jacket from Aussie-based In The Folds has a great look and a hood! If you love the hem and pockets, you might also like the Flynn Jacket.
The two jackets from In The Folds call for bottom weight fabrics (think canvas, drill, etc).
Check out this blog post on shopping denim in NZ, the selection of ‘bottom weight’ fabrics at Auckland-based Fabric Box, the canvas selection at Backstreet Bargains.
from Cashmerette
Can’t find the right zip? Sometimes I’ve needed a zip which I just couldn’t find in stores- did you know that you can contact YKK in NZ and they’ll sell you zips?
I’ve heard that you can send them a swatch of fabric and they’ll even colour-match for you, if that’s your struggle!
The Cloud Set
The latest pattern offering from The Fabric Store is a cosy sweatsuit ensemble! The sweater has 3 views (including a hoodie and a classy funnel neck) and the pants have a jogger view (with gathered ankles) and a wide leg (right)
Not usually one for Facebook, I’ve found quite a few bargains on french terry and t-shirt knit fabrics on the Fabric Stash From Factory (NZ only) | Facebook Facebook Group. Most things are pre-cut into metre bits but I just plan ahead for that!
Also check out this loopback sweatshirting from Nick’s Fabrics which is a bargain price! Fable Fabrics stocks a very cute selection of sweater knits (including some of those cute euro prints)! The Fabric Shop in Otara has a range of printed sweat fabrics (at toile prices).
As always, my list of NZ fabric shops is a good place to start.
from Forget-Me-Not Patterns is a lovely option for cooler weather!
The Reznor Skirt
The Reznor Skirt from Elbe Textiles desperately wants to be layered over tights for chilly weather.
Email your files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started!
Today, I’ve put together a little roundup of outerlayers, inspired by the chilly and wet weather that we’ve had recently!
Want to know where to buy fabric in NZ?
Check out my list of online fabric shops in NZ here!
The Akerfeldt Coat from Elbe Textiles is available 132cm (52″) chest. This unlined, boxy coat has great pockets and can have a hood or collar.
Leila and I have released 4 outerwear patterns together through Muna and Broad!
Check out our Shoalhaven Shacket (left), quilted Grainger Coat (right)
The Chilton Trench from Cashmerette
Available from Size 12-28 or 102-157cm (40-62″) bust and 107-157cm (42-62″) hip with cup sizes from C – H
This lined trench can be used with wovens, wool and waterproof raincoat fabric.
Below the Kōwhai
The Awhi Coat [pronounced ah-fee] includes hood, collar and pocket options and is fully-lined.
The Goldstream Peacoat from Thread Theory
This classic double-breasted peacoat works both buttoned and open.
With an optional hood, and options for pockets and pocket flaps, this would make a cosy winter option!
Grainline Studios
Both the Thayer Jacket and Cortland Trench are available in both Grainline’s standard sizing and extended sizing which goes up to a 142.2cm (56″) bust and 149.8cm (59″) hip
Friday Pattern Co
Both the Ilford Jacket and Heather Blazer are available in FPC’s extended sizing, which goes up to a 152cm (60”) chest
Twig & Tale
NZ-based Twig & Tale has a lot of outerwear for kids and outerwear for adults (including maternity and baby-carrying wear).
The Marsha Jacket from Liam
The Mallard Coat from Sewing Revival
The Willa Wrap Coat from Jennifer Lauren Handmade
All the Coats and Jackets from StyleArc
Check out this roundup of cosy sewing patterns, get ready for warmer weather with swimsuit sewing patterns, or find NZ-based pattern designers too.
The Tarlee T-Shirt from Muna and Broad
This tee comes with crewneck, turtleneck, short-sleeve and long-sleeve options. The curved back-seam makes it great for layering and while the largest size is a 162cm (64″) bust and 182cm (71.5″) hip, M&B will grade up to a larger size at no extra cost.
This classic tee from Cashmerette comes with multiple cup-size options and is available up to a 157.5cm (62″) bust and 157.5cm (62″) hip
The Hemlock Tee from Grainline Studios
This free pattern is available up to a 142cm (56″) bust and 150cm (59″ hip) in the plus-size pattern which runs from size 14-30
Jennifer Lauren Handmade is a Dunedin-based pattern designer
Check out The Bronte and The Gable knit tops. Gable (left) is available with multiple cup sizes and has been expanded up to a 156.8cm (61.5″) bust and 159.5cm (62.5″) hip.
The LB Pullover from Paper Theory
Designed to be made from both knit and woven fabrics, this dropped-shoulder top is available up to a 142cm (56″) bust and 146cm (57.5″) hip
Great for layering under other items that also have a relaxed fit, the Pullover comes with a crewneck and turtleneck option.
The Fog Tee from The Fabric Store
This tee has boatneck, crewneck and a bonus turtleneck too. Available up to a149.5cm (58.7″) bust and 159.5cm (62.8″) hip, TFS will grade out to anyone who isn’t included in their sizes.
This free pattern from Deer & Doe is available up to a 116cm (45.5″) bust and (48″) 122cm hip
