Sew Reporter – 8th May
Hey team! Sundays are for rest… and a spot of sewing if we can squeeze it in! We are feeling very inspired by all the posts popping up on Instagram for Me Made May. It’s a great opportunity to see what others are making and loving.
We’ve got some exciting new things to share with you this week including a new indie designer, Sewing Bee sewing inspiration and a look we want to lift the latest Downtown Abbey film. Grab a cup of something and enjoy a leisurely browsing session!
The second episode of the Great British Sewing Bee was sports week and the lovely sewing bees deserve a gold medal for sewing effort, don’t they? For episode two we have put our detective hats on to discover the sewing patterns from independent designers and commercial pattern houses used in the Sewing Bee TV show.
The patterns we found are all matches or inspired by the designs they used. We also have a coordinating video to chat through the second episode and the patterns which is the perfect pairing for a spot of (chilled) sewing!
If you haven’t already seen our ultimate guide to the Sewing Bee do take a look.
Sports Week on the Sewing Bee saw the contestants whipping up a made-to-measure jacket inspired by their sporting hero. If we accepted this challenge (with more sewing time included, of course), we have a selection of indie sewing patterns that we might have chosen…
The Named Sirkka Hooded Jacket is packed with clever details that we think would impress the Sewing Bee judges! It has a detachable hood, side pocket and another pocket underneath the flap – who wouldn’t be impressed by that?
The overlapping pocket flaps with snaps are such a fun detail. All the seams are sewn using flat-felled seams for a neat and durable finish which should get top marks from the judges!
Sizing: UK 6 – 28 / Format: Paper and PDF
If we wanted to have a “WOW” moment on the catwalk, we would go for the Itch to Stitch Causeway Bomber Jacket because it can be made to be reversible. Surely that wouldn’t fail to get a gasp!
The Causeway adds a touch of femininity with front princess seams that also give you a great fit in the bust. The optional invisibly zipped pockets are embedded in the princess seams for a streamlined look.
Sizing: UK 6/8 – 34/36 / Format: PDF
The In the Folds Hove Jacket is one of our favourite sporty jacket patterns in the shop. It’s a piece I could actually see Esme Young rocking when off-duty!
It has a real sportswear vibe and features two different styles so you’re not short of options. All seams are finished with bias binding or Hong Kong binding for a beautiful and high-end finish – Esme would approve!
Sizing: UK 6 – 28 / Format: PDF
Not a huge fan of sports jackets? What about the Friday Pattern Company Unisex Arlo Track Jacket? It is the perfect lightweight layer.
It features a sports collar, interesting seamlines, and comfortable front pockets. I have made this and had fun colour blocking my Arlo – you really can inject your own personality into this make!
Sizing: UK 6 – 34 / Format: Paper and PDF
Browse all casual jacket sewing patterns!
Downtown Abbey is back… on the big screens for a second time! Downtown Abbey: A New Era is out at the cinemas (US 20th May) and it is going to be a feast for the eyes! Set in the late 1920s, the Crawley family head to the South of France for a grand journey… we think this is going to be pure escapism and we can guarantee we will be swooning at those costumes!
We love the dropped waist dresses we’ve spied from the promo shots and thought that’s quite a nice shape to sew for a modern wardrobe! One style springs to mind that doesn’t recreate this look literally but gives a nice nod to it in a modern way.
Merchant and Mills Ellis and Hattie Dresses is a great pattern for channelling this Downtown look in a modern way. You get two styles with this pattern – Hattie (pictured) which has a lined bodice, dropped waist and bold patch pockets. Ellis has some more feminine shaping from bust darts, and is waisted, with set-in sleeves and in-seam side pockets. It’s a great pattern to have in your collection!
Sizing: UK 8 – 18 or UK 18 – 28
Format: Paper and PDF
We’ve added some lovely newness to the shop this week, with patterns from Named, True Bias and Petits D’om to name a few! We’ve also added an exciting French designer to the shop – Maison Fauve!
Do you already have a specific design in mind? Or do you need some help finding the perfect pattern for your fabric? You can search all the patterns in our database using our newly updated sewing-specific search tool.
We are thrilled to add a new and very chic designer to the Fold Line shop – Maison Fauve! A stunning collection of designs that are dripping with delightful details that will elevate your makes and everyday wardrobe.
French designer, Maison Fauve make beautiful fashion patterns with attention to detail and a focus on getting a great fit. They are the epitome of French style.
Maison Fauve put an emphasis on enjoying the process and share some great tutorials and ideas to hack your patterns on their site. We’ve got a great range stocked in the shop to browse, here are just a few of the styles we have!
Maison Fauve pattern format: Paper
Size range varies by design: EU 34 – 46 (approx. UK 6 – 14) / EU 34 – 52 (approx. UK 6 – 22) / EU 34 – 56 (approx. UK 6 – 28)
The Sewing Weekender is only a couple of weeks away and we wanted to take a deep dive into some of the designers that will be talking at the weekend. You can find out more about each one and their fabulous sewing patterns!
You can read all about the 21-22 May Sewing Weekender event here and grab a ticket to join in the fun!
The Asian Sewist Collective podcast has shared a throwback episode covering occasionwear – a subject we recently wrote a blog post about! This episode chats with Indianapolis-based designer and sewing blogger Macy Camile about sewing special occasionwear, including tips for working with tulle and other delicate fabrics. Go check it out!
Each month we will be making a donation from our profits to a different charity. This month we have chosen to donate to The Menopause Charity which works to improve women’s and healthcare professionals’ understanding of the menopause. To find out more about the charity and its work, check out its website.
Ambassador to the charity, Davina McCall was on channel 4 earlier this week in a programme called Davina McCall: Sex, Mind and the Menopause where Davina explores how menopause can affect the mind as well as the body, with memory loss and brain fog decimating women at work.
Come and join our sewing Facebook group where we are chatting about sewing plans, new patterns and helping each other out with projects.
