SEVEN SPRING/SUMMER BUYS YOU CAN SEW YOURSELF

One of the greatest joys of being a sewist is the ability to recreate the styles you love. Whether you're watching your favourite shows, exploring the high street, or scrolling through social media, spotting a piece you adore and thinking "I could make that" is genuinely thrilling. It's a skill that transforms inspiration into action, and it's something our community asks about constantly in our Facebook group.

I've curated a collection of seven stunning spring and summer pieces that have caught my eye recently—pieces that are absolutely achievable with the right pattern. Whether you're drawn to relaxed linen co-ords, charming pinafore dresses, or effortless jumpsuits, there's a pattern match here to help you sew your own version. Let's explore each one and discover the patterns that will bring these high-street finds to life in your own wardrobe.

The Beyond Nine Blouse & Barrel Trousers

Beyond Nine is mentioned frequently in your pattern-hunting quests. Most of the time, it's for the iconic tank and barrel leg combo (try the Tilly and the Buttons Leah Top and Winnie Trousers to get this look), so I'm going to give you something a little different.

This pretty pleated blouse fell into my inbox (and heart), and I immediately knew that the Poet Pintuck Blouse was spot on for recreating this. The bottoms are a match for the endlessly popular Emile Barrel Pants. Shop for a cotton linen slub fabric to match the trousers' clever combination of drape and structure.

The Patterns:

TOP: Matchy Matchy Poet Pintuck Blouse

BOTTOMS: Ready to Sew Emile Barrel Pants

The Plümo Apron Dress

While scrolling on social media, this beautiful Plümo apron dress stopped me in my tracks. There is a perfect dupe for this design - the bestselling Ginkgo pinafore. This clever design can be tied at the sides for the loose, flowy fit of the Plümo style, or can be wrapped around to tie in the front or in the back. You can even wear it back to front; it's just so versatile.

The Patterns:

DRESS: Madswick Ginkgo Pinafore

The Nobody's Child Linen Co-ord

Co-ords are an absolute wardrobe essential, and this season the high street has finally caught up with what sewists have known all along—linen is everything. If you've been tempted by a striking print but hesitated to commit, now's the moment to take the plunge and make it yourself. The beauty of a co-ord lies in its versatility; wear it as a complete set for a polished look, or separate the pieces to mix and match with your existing pieces, creating endless outfit combinations from just one project.

The Patterns:

TOP: Tilly and the Buttons Frida Shirt

BOTTOMS: NH Patterns Sienna Trousers

The M&S Seersucker Striped Shorts

Shorts often get overlooked in my wardrobe, but the recent heatwave made me wonder why this wardrobe gap exists. I came across these sweet shorts while browsing the M&S bestseller list, and as I see in patterns, went straight to our shop to check the similarities with a new addition. The Rose bottoms are a great match for this style, but you could hack the design to add a drawstring waist to make it even more perfect. Shop for striped seersucker fabrics to recreate this look. 

The Patterns:

BOTTOMS: Paradise Patterns Rose Bottoms

The Oliver Bonas Postcard Print Blouse

There are so many fun, "holiday-inspired" prints in fabric shops at the moment, so I don't think you'd have trouble finding a fabric as equally lovely as this Oliver Bonas design. The Nicks pattern is such a close match for this top. You'd just need to cut the long sleeves to a 3/4 length and stitch cute bows to the sides to mimic this buy.

The Patterns:

TOP: Closet Core Patterns Nick Blouse and Dress

The Iconic Sézane Pippa Dress

This beautiful design encapsulates the chic and elegant designs you can expect from the French brand. Available in a whole host of colours and prints, the Pippa dress also has a sewing pattern match. Estelle features the same figure-flattering cut and clever tie detail that gives your dress an adjustable fit. Go for a bold block colour or hunt down a trendy leopard print jersey fabric.

The Patterns:

DRESS: Sew Over It Estelle Dress

The Toast Linen Jumpsuit

Let's finish this little round-up with some more lovely linen inspiration. The Toast jumpsuit is the epitome of off-duty, relaxed summer style. The simple lines and fit offer comfort and allow accessories to do the talking. The Danika pattern evokes the same effortless fit, but features a gorgeous back tie detail, giving an extra little flourish that the Toast jumpsuit doesn't, and it's those little details that make sewing your own clothes so rewarding!

The Patterns:

JUMPSUIT: Fibre Mood Danika Jumpsuit

If you ever need help hunting for a pattern to match inspiration you have found along the way, drop a picture in our Facebook group, and the hive mind will do their best to help!