Choco-nana

Recently I went on a little research flurry, even going so far as to request help from Instagram in order to find the perfect crisp cotton shirting in a bitter chocolate brown. What can I say? Pinterest got me a bit obsessed with a combo which I think should be called choco-nana.

I didn’t do much research into the nana portion of this colour scheme inspo (maybe that’s soon), but I did find quite a few choco fabrics in Aus and NZ!

Choco Nana Pinterest Inspo

Knit fabrics

What to sew with choco knits?

Woven Fabrics

A couple of nana fabrics

Want to get printing?

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

Warm weather makes

As the weather warms up, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about warm-weather garments so that you can have them ready to go when the heat hits.

I also find that I sometimes hate a project as soon as I’ve finished it, but a cooling-off period of a month (or two) usually sees me come round to its charms. So, I sew them early so I have time to love them again before they’re needed!

Here’s a roundup of some great PDF indie sewing patterns for summer!

Andi Set

The Andi Set from Swim Style Patterns is Top and Skirt combo pattern which has sleeved and sleeveless options for the top. It’s available up to 60″ or 152cm hip

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Dew Top and Dress

The Dew Top and Dress from Friday Pattern Company is a cowl neck top and cocoon-hem dress for knit fabrics. It’s available up to 60”/152cm bust

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

Pyrmont Skirt

The Pyrmont Skirt from Muna and Broad is a woven skirt with a flat-front waistband, a comfortable elastic back and inverted box pleats that are proportional throughout the size range.

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Blomma Tank

The free Blomma Tank from Paradise Patterns comes with B and D-cup options. It’s available up to 62”/157.6cm hip

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

You can get the Blomma Tank pattern for FREE! Just go to www.paradisepatterns.com and sign up to the email list, to be sent a link to download!

Howerdel Skirt

The Howerdel Skirt from Elbe Textiles is a midi-length skirt that is fitted at the waist with an invisible
zipper in the side seam and a lined top tier. It’s available up to 153cm/60.2″ hip

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Hallon Dress

The Hallon Dress from Paradise Patterns is a summery swingy dress with a deep back and ruffle hem. It has B and D-cup options and is available up to 59″/150cm bust and 61″/155cm hip

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

Chloe Dress and Top

The Chloe Dress and Top from Silver Saga Patterns is available up to 138cm or 54.3″ hip and 130cm or 51.2″ bust. Designed for lightweight woven fabrics, this pattern has sleeved and sleeveless options and also an option for button-front.

Elwood Dress

The Elwood Dress from In The Folds includes lantern sleeve and sleeveless options, and in-seam pockets. It’s available up to 181cm/71.25″ bust and 184cm/72.5″ hip

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Gibbons Slip Dress

The Gibbons Slip Dress from Aussie-based Elbe Textiles is a bias-cut dress with multiple neckline, back, and length options. It’s available up to 147.5cm/58.5″ bust and 153cm/60.2″ hip

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

Melba Dress

The Melba Dress from Muna and Broad is a versatile V-neck dress for woven fabrics with in-seam pockets and easy-to-sew mitered hems.

Want more summery inspo blogs?

Cove Slip Dress

The Cove Slip Dress from Les Perlines has a bias skirt with a sleeveless, short and long sleeve option, as well as 2 different lengths. It’s available up to 140cm (55 1/8’’) bust and 153 cm (60 ¼’’) hip

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

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.

“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.

Aotearoa Sewing patterns

I love to keep an eye on the releases from NZ sewing pattern companies, and I’m sure you do too!

In case you missed them, here are some of the new-ish releases that caught my eye(s).

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Julia Dress

The Julia Dress from Liam by Ruby is pure summer. There’s 3 views in this floaty A-line dress pattern and it’s available up to 155cm (61″) hip

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

Vista Top

The Vista Top from Twig and Tale is a V-neck darted top with sleeve options. It’s available up to 183cm (72″) hip

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Ray Pinafore

The Ray Pinafore from Paper Theory is a trapeze-shaped pinafore dress with 3 different strap options. It’s available up to 165.5cm (65″) hip

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

Eileen Barrel Pants

The Eileen Barrel Pants from Muna and Broad are an elastic-waist pants with a darted back fit. It’s available up to 181.5cm (71.5″) hip

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Charlotte Skirt

The Charlotte Skirt from The Bold One is a beginner-friendly elastic-waist skirt. It’s available up to 153cm (60.2″) hip

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

Cooper Barrel Jeans

The Cooper Barrel Jeans from Muna and Broad are subtle barrel-shaped jeans with a zip-front and generous pockets. It’s available up to 181.5cm (71.5″) hip

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Plains Dress

The Plains Dress from Twig and Tale is a classic shirt dress with 2-views and both have pockets! It’s available up to 183cm (72″) hip

“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.

Shirts for men

Interested in finding some shirt patterns for men? Here’s a roundup of options!

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

The Cornell Shirt from Elbe Textiles is a relaxed-fit shirt pattern with options for a button-up front or a pop-over placket. The Cornell has a drop shoulders and a classic grandpa collar.

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

Also from Elbe Textiles, the Sanders Button Up is a semi-fitted shirt with back waist shaping, a collar and a great front yoke (with options for pockets).

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

The Fairfield Button Up from Thread Theory is a button-up shirt with all of the classic details and a modern, moderately slim fit.

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

The Gosling Shirt from Mimi G Style is a slim-fit shirt with modern details.

The Arbor from Merchant & Mills is both a jacket and a shirt. Workwear inspired, this shirt has a boxy style fit.

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Also from Merchant & Mills, The Ludlow is a unisex pullover smock with integrated pocket.

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

The Jensen Shirt from Wardrobe by Me is a relaxed fit button-up pattern with traditional details, including button placket, classic collar with a stand, cuffed sleeves, and a back yoke.

The Cameron Button Up from Helen’s Closet is dartless and has a boxy fit from the chest to the hip. There’s a collar, collar stand, front button placket, and optional chest pocket.

Also from Helen’s Closet, the Tofino Top is an oversized, loose-fitting woven shirt with a relaxed silhouette and laid-back vibe. It features a classic camp collar, dropped shoulders, and a button-up front.

Want to get printing?

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

Summer Holiday Sewing

It’s getting hot- summer sewing it here! Here is a roundup of roundups, full to the brim of pattern inspiration!

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Sleepwear!

Every summer I start to think about sleepwear. Lots of crisp cotton robes, and piped traditional PJs thoughts.

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

If you’re looking for PJs and robe pattern inspiration, here on the ChCh sews blog we’ve got Loungeables roundup, Sleepwear roundup, Giftables roundup (includes a list of robe patterns)

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Aprons!

What better way to do as little laundry as possible than having an Apron to protect your me-mades (or someone else’s)! Roundup of patterns (including many free options) here.

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

More shirts roundups?

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Your new bag?

What could be a better palate cleanser that a project which doesn’t need any ‘fitting’?!

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

Check out Sewing for the Outdoors (lots of free practical bags), Bags to Sew, the ChCh sews pie carrier bag, Sewing Gifts for Men, Scrap-busting Sewing Patterns, Free giftable projects, and 20 free Christmas Gift patterns.

Sun hats

It’s best to stay sun smart, because ‘no hat, no play’! Find a roundup of hat sewing patterns here.

Want more?

Want to get printing?

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

Toasty sweaters

It’s that time of the year where NZ houses are often colder than the outside temperatures, and we start to pop on merino turtlenecks and seek out cosy sweaters- or is that just me? Regardless, here’s 11 sweaters to keep you toasty!

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

Toaster Sweater

What could be toastier than the Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater #1 and #2? In straight size and their curvy size range too. This pattern remains a popular one for printing!

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot