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.
A lot of you expressed interest in hearing about NZ sewing pattern designers and first up in our roundup are sewing pattern businesses that are based in NZ or run by NZers!
Let me know in the comments if I’ve missed any NZ Based Dressmaking Pattern Companies
Below the Kōwhai Christchurch-based BTK is a family business which makes gorgeous sewing patterns children and has recently expanded their offerings to include sewing patterns for women.
Ford Wardrobe Auckland-based Ford Wardrobe currently has a pattern-less dress and a bucket hat pattern available for sale
Based in Wellington, FMN makes lovely feminine patterns for women. They have a free knit top pattern for those wanting to give the company a trial before purchasing.
Auckland-based Hubba Ding has a pretty impressive catalogue of patterns for women which seem to have popped up overnight. Not super size-inclusive, the designs are very fashion-trend forward.
This Dunedin-based business has a strong vintage vibe and has a wide variety of frocks, tops and even a couple of patterns for men. JLH has quite a few patterns in multiple cup-sizes
Liam Patterns This new-comer to the sewing pattern market started producing sewing patterns based on their successful RTW garments during lockdown here in NZ. If their sizes are too small to include you, they will grade the pattern up for you at no additional cost.
Little Kiwis Closet This NZ-based business makes sewing patterns for women, men, kids and babies too. If you and your family wear a lot of knit fabric- check out Little Kiwis Closet!
Make by The Fabric Store The Fabric Store has recently started designing and selling PDF sewing patterns! So far they have 5 patterns, including the robe pictured above. If you fall outside their size range, they will grade the pattern for you at no additional cost.
Makyla Creates This new-to-me sewing pattern business which makes modern boho-style sewing patterns for women.
Muna and Broad Making patterns from basically Size 12+, M&B is a 1/2 NZ run business (I know this because I’m the 1/2)! If the size chart is too small to include you, Leila will grade the pattern up for you at no additional cost.
Muse Patterns This Wellington-based pattern company makes PDF sewing patterns for adult women and has a strong vintage vibe.
My Keeper If you don’t have time to sew their sewing patterns (size 6-22) then you can rent one of their finished garments.
Paper Doll Patterns This pattern company specialises in cute clothes for children.
Papercut Patterns Perhaps the most well-known NZ-based sewing pattern company, Papercut was one of the first Indie sewing pattern companies.
Paper Theory is a UK-based sewing pattern company but owner Tara grew up in Dunedin! With a modern and simple silhouette, the Zadie Jumpsuit is one of their most well known patterns.
Scroop Patterns This Wellington-based sewing pattern company has a strong historical-sewing vibe thanks to the historical sewing interest of owner & designer Leimomi of Dreamstress
Sewing Revival Based at the top of the South Island, The Sewing Revival makes sewing patterns for women and children.
The Bold One Slow-fashion patterns for women which have oodles of options (including height and various necklines)
Trish Newbery This new-to-me sewing pattern company is NZ based and has a wide variety of sewing patterns for accessories and women’s clothes.
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!
The Rye Jacket from Sussex Seamstress looks great sewn up in boiled wool!
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.
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!
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)
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.
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)
Thinking knits and sweaters?
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!
Denim blue is basically a neutral which fits in with your wardrobe, no matter what your signature colours are and as colder weather rolls around here, jeans are on my mind!
You can go all out, adding top-stitching and rivets and the rest, or you can keep it low-key and skip all the extra steps! Today I’ve rounded up some jeans sewing patterns for you, some are more ‘classic jeans’ than others!
Noice Jeans
The Noice Jeans from Muna and Broad come with a wide-leg view and a ‘mum jean’ view (left)
If the sizes are too small to include you, this will be graded up at no extra cost.
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.
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!
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
I’m always very interested in the patterns which come through for printing, and I thought you might be too! Here’s a roundup of some goodies that have popped out of the printer in the last wee while, and I’ve also included some recommendations for NZ-based places to shop for fabrics which would be a good fit!
Designed to be sewn with a wide variety of woven fabrics, this would be perfect in licorice silk satin from Fab Fabrics, cupro from The Fine Cloth Company, or silk crepe de chine from Hawes and Freer. Make it cosy with sherpa fabric from Minkylicious, or shetland flannel from Jet Greytown.
It’s heating up in Christchurch, so today we’re rounding up sewing patterns for swimwear!
A swimsuit can be a super satisfying make, which can make you feel extra-smug at the beach (or at He Puna Taimoana)!
Do you have some Tried-and-True PDF swimwear patterns that aren’t listed here? Or maybe you’ve hacked your T’n’T undies patterns for swimwear? Let us know in the comments!
The Seabright Swimmer from Friday Pattern Company is available from a 32-54″ (81-137cm) bust and 34-57 (86-145cm) hip
The Banksia Swim Expansion from Muna and Broad is available from 38-64″ (97-162cm) bust and 41.5-71.5″ (105-182cm) hip
The Ipswich Swimsuit from Cashmerette comes with cup size options and is available up to a 62″ hip
The Riri from Mimi G is available up to a 47″ bust and 49″ hip
Any Nylon Spandex will be suitable for swimwear, and you can source chlorine resistant fabric if you’ll be doing most of your swimming in chlorine, but you can also use standard elastic (which is a bit easier to sew with and cheaper to buy too). Online stores which sell activewear fabric will probably also sell swim fabric. Check out some more recommended stores in Aus and NZ here.
Want to get printing?
Email your PDF pattern files through to Chchsews@gmail.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet.
This wine tote is a simple and quick project which will give you the perfect way to carry a drinkie to a picnic in the park.
It’s intended to be the perfect size for a wine bottle and some other essentials, but you could take anything wine bottle size (including two wine-bottle-length sticks of salami)!
