Sewing for the outdoors

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!

Downpour Drybags

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.

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

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.

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

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!

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Fanny Pack

This free fanny pack comes from Bike Packing comes with pattern pieces for easy cutting out!

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

Camping Hammock

Pretty high up on the things I’d never though one could sew for themselves… is this free tutorial for a DIY camping hammock

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

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!

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

Running Armband Pocket

Grab the free running armband pocket from Fehr Trade!

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Woodhaven Apron

The Woodhaven Apron from Thread Theory has lots of different options, including all the pocket shapes that bring the look of serious workwear.

Comfortable, yet rugged.

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

Helen’s Closet has a free apron pattern which you can access here.

Balaclava

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.

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Trail wallet

This free trail wallet pattern is designed for carrying only the essentials!

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

Want to get printing?

Email your PDF pattern files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet.

Chore Jacket Patterns

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!

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Cobden Chore Jacket

The Cobden from Muna and Broad is available up to a 162cm (64″) bust and 182cm (71.5″) hip

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

THE Jacket

This Jacket from Atelier Brunette is available up to 126cm (49.5″) bust and 134cm (53″) hip

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Julien Chore Jacket

The Julien from Ready To Sew is available up to a 123cm (48″) bust and 129cm (50″) hip

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

Chore Jacket Fabric?

Classic Chore Jackets are made with bottom-weight fabrics that are hard-wearing, so you can work in them! Grabbing a canvas drop cloth from Bunnings or Mitre 10 can be a cost effective solution because the extra width brings the per-metre price down.

Want a denim chore jacket? Check out my blogpost on ‘Shopping denim in NZ‘.

The Rhett Jacket

The Rhett is a free download if you’re a paid Seamwork member.

Available up to 137cm (54″) bust and 147cm (58″) hip

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

ZW Workwear Jacket

This zero-waste jacket from Birgitta Helmersson is currently available in sizes EU 36 – 44

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

Paola Workwear Jacket

The Paola is a free pattern from Fabrics Store which is available up to a 147cm (58″) hip

Finding buttons

All of these Jackets really highlight their buttons! My favourite places to find buttons in NZ is Hawes and Freer (who have some great eco options like corozo nut and sustainably farmed horn), and TradeMe.

I currently have some buttons listed on my @chch_destash page

When hunting for buttons on TradeMe, I type in the width I’m looking for and filter the search to items within NZ.

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

The Foreman

The Foreman from Merchant & Mills is designed for men and is available up to a 112cm (44″) chest and 98cm (38.5″) waist. It’s not available in their extended size range.

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

Remy Shirt

The Remy Shirt from Papercute Patterns is maybe closer to a shacket than a chore jacket but it was too cute to not be included. Add your own extra pockets for storing rocks and other important bits.

Want to get printing?

Email your PDF pattern files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet.

Boiled Wool Patterns

It’s that chilly time of the year where boiled wool returns to shops! Last night I spotted new boiled wools on the For Fabrics Sake website (I particularly like the pinks and plums they’ve got)- and since I already ordered myself some of the plum fabric, it’s safe to tell you about it now!

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? Here are some patterns which work in boiled wool- some that are even specifically for boiled wool fabrics!

The Loden Sweater

Free Loden Sweater from Dressmakers’ Guild

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Leila and I have released 5 outerwear patterns together through Muna and Broad!

Our Mallee Jacket, Shoalhaven Shacket and Belmore Jacket are all great with boiled wool

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

The Boxwood Hoodie

The free Boxwood Hoodie from Mood Fabrics

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

The Foreman Jacket

This boiled wool jacket uses The Foreman Jacket from Merchant & Mills

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

The Tobin Sweater

The Tobin Sweater from Cashmerette is shown here in boiled wool!

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

The Big Easy Top

The Big Easy Top from The Maker’s Atelier

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot
“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

The French Dart Shift Tunic

The French Dart Shift tunic from Maven Patterns

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

The Eve Jacket

The Eve Jacket from Schnittchen Patterns

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Ursula Coatigan

The Ursula Coatigan from SewgirlintheUK

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

Jocko pullover

The Jocko pullover from Ready To Sew

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Ninot Jacket

The Ninot Jacket from Pauline Alice Design

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

Boiled wool scraps?

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.

Here’s a tutorial from thehomesihavemade.com

Want to get printing?

Email your files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started!

Cotton Lawn Projects!

Inspired by the current sale of Liberty Tana Lawn at TFS, I thought I’d round up some sewing patterns which would look great in Tana Lawn!

Cotton Lawn makes great summer PJs, would make an excellent robe, makes for lovely crisp shirts, and looks especially good when it’s gathered! With that in mind, here’s some ideas which may or may not get your creative juices flowing.

The Huon Shirt and Dress from Muna and Broad is available up to a 64″ bust and a 71.5″ hip

If their sizes are too small for you, Muna and Broad will grade this pattern up to your size for no extra cost.

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

The Block Tee

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.

The Collins Top from In The Folds (in Sydney) is a loose-fitting trapeze-shaped top designed for woven fabrics. It is A-line in shape, perfect for hot summer days. There’s also a version with sleeves!

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

The Waikerie Shirt and Dress Collection from Muna and Broad is available up to a 182cm (71.5″) hip

This ‘cup-size flexible’ shirt has multiple views, sleeve-lengths, and even collar options through Patreon.

M&B will grade this pattern up to your size if their size chart is too small to include you.

The Phen Shirt from Pattern Fantastique

Shirt-weight fabrics like washer cotton from The Fine Cloth Company, shirtings from Miss Maude, and linen from Fabric Box would all be great.

The Cornell Shirt from Elbe Textiles (formerly of Christchurch) is a gender-free pattern with a drop shoulders and a classic grandpa collar.

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

The Bloom Shirt & Dress from Make by TFS comes with options!

With 3 different collar options, just like Muna and Broad, TFS will grade this pattern up to your size if their sizes don’t include you.

Available up to 149.5cm (55.7″) bust and 159.5cm (62.8″) hip

The Cashmerette Springfield is a woven shell top with multiple cup sizes and multiple views.

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.

Want more?

Check out the other pattern roundups on the ChCh sews blog

The Melody Dolman from Love Notions

Available from 84-146cm bust and 90-151cm hip, has a camp-style collar, and a shirt-tail hem.

The Gosling Shirt from Mimi G Style is a slim-fit shirt with great features.

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.

Of course, Liberty Swim Fabric is also on sale, so it might be time to revisit the roundup of swimwear sewing patterns!

Want to get printing?

Email your files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started!

Sewing for men

Today we’re rounding up sewing patterns for men! Some of the patterns below are free (or pretty close to free), and they’ve been sorted by style (accessories, patterns for woven fabric, underwear, then patterns for knit fabric ).

Do you have some Tried-and-True PDF patterns for men that aren’t listed here? Let us know in the comments!

Accessories

The Sorrento Bucket Hat from Elbe Textiles is $2 and the profit is donated to charity.

The Desmond Roll Top pack from Taylor Tailor features a zipper pocket on the front for small bits, and two slip-in pockets on the sides. It’s fully-lined, and there’s optional open top pockets on the inside.

Woven Patterns

The Gosling Shirt from Mimi G Style is a slim-fit shirt with great features.

Linen Shirt 128 07/19 from Burda is perfect for Euro-style relaxation (and cuffing your sleeves).

The Cornell Shirt from Elbe Textiles is a gender-free pattern with a drop shoulders and a classic grandpa collar.

The Ilford Jacket from Friday Pattern Company is a gender-free pattern with two length options and sleeve options too.

The Men’s summer pants and shorts pattern from Wardrobe By Me are designed for woven fabric. Make these pull-on pants (elastic waist) from linen for peak summer vibes.

The Reed Trousers from Laela Jeyne Patterns are classic chinos.

The Trigg Shorts from Elbe Textiles are above-the-knee shorts in two lengths. They’ve got an elastic waistband (for comfort), a drawstring, side pockets and a back patch pocket (for stuff).

Underwear

The Comox Trunks from Thread Theory are form-fitting undies with no center back seam.

If you have different underwear preferences, Jalie patterns also has the Gerald undies and long undies for boys and men.

Woven Boxer Shorts from 5 out of 4 Patterns features a 3-panel back and flat-felled seams, for ultimate comfort.

Knit Patterns

The Men’s Hudson Pants from True Bias has a slightly dropped-crotch and a skinny-ish leg. Comfie enough for lounging, but could also be worn out.

The Sayward Raglan from Thread Theory is a classic raglan tee with long-sleeve and bicep-length sleeve options.

The Men’s Daily Tee from The Wolf and The Tree is available up to a 4XL, or 60″ (152cm) chest

The Westbrook Tee from Mimi G looks like it would be a great scrap-buster with those center-front and center-back seams.

The Arrowsmith Undershirt from Thread Theory is a free pattern that can be worn as an undershirt or as a summer singlet, if that’s your scene.

The Carmanah Sweater from Thread Theory is a zippered sweater which comes in a couple of views- a half-zip and full zip-through.2

Want to get printing?

Email your PDF pattern files through to Chchsews@gmail.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet.