I’ve made several versions of this dress and it’s a favourite for sure.
The instructions are excellent and there are several different hacking options shared on the chalk and notch blog. Here I’ve made view B, hacked to a maxi and a ruffle added. It’s designed with a bit of ease in the bodice so check the finished measurements, you may want to size down for a more fitted look.
I fell in love with this dress when I saw it so I bought it. I made it with a black linen and it turned out perfect. I have started in the 2nd one from a washable silk (I think). This is not a difficult pattern. All pieces fit together perfectly. I hate gathering but somehow with this pattern it is not a drudgery.
I made these Plateau joggers last January, and they were probably my most worn handmade item in 2024. I rarely sew the same pattern more than once unless it is a good basic garment. I wanted to sew another pair immediately, but the complicated front pocket detail deterred me for a while. Now I just finished my second pair, and I plan to cut a pair from lighter French terry for warmer weather in the spring and a couple of pairs of Plateau shorts for summer.
Plateau joggers have a very interesting front-side seam pocket construction. The top of the side seam is cleverly hidden in the front pocket, bringing the sideseam closer to the front of the garment, which looks very flattering.
It is a great basic pattern. However, I would not recommend Plateau joggers for beginners. The instructions are great but at first, the pocket construction does not make sense, you just have to trust the Closet Core instructions and be very precise while sewing the front pocket detail.
As a confident beginner I really enjoyed making this useful pouffe. Simple instructions. Great use of material scraps. Going to adapt the pattern to make a dog bed.
Discovering the Coeli blouse by Pauline Alice. I came across and fell in love with the Coeli blouse on Pinterest, but it took me some time to locate the pattern. It can now be purchased on The Foldline website.
The blouse is unusually constructed with French seams throughout, which was a new technique for me when sewing a blouse. The pattern suggests using a lightweight fabric such as voile, which is transparent, and so French seams make perfect sense.
There is so much to love about the Coeli blouse pattern. The silhouette is boho inspired, making it extremely feminine. You can personalise this pattern and it is easily hacked into a dress. Alternatively, you can experiment with the length and style of the sleeves. My second version has already been cut out and I can't wait to finish it.
This is a dream blouse to make and wear, and you can read more about it
@ https://www.sewatelierm.com/discovering-the-coeli-blouse-by-pauline-alice-and-how-to-wear-it/
I chose to make these is a woven fabric more for the summertime. Went together really nicely and love the side pockets. Easy to follow pattern and will be making again.
These trousers are so very easy to make. Brilliantly illustrated pattern and so very comfortable to wear. I have now made them in 2 fabrics and about to make a third pair. Just love them.
For those of you who (like me) coveted the Sézane Will Jacket, but thought 'I can probably make that myself' - look no further! This jacket gives a very similar result on its own, and it has many of the best elements of the Will Jacket (HUGE pockets, 2-part sleeves with cuffs, tidy collar, unlined) but if you combine it with the Tempo vest/gilet by the same designer, it makes a perfect replica! I've made it twice, once in the original version, and once combined with the Tempo, and they're my go-to shirts/jackets to throw over any outfit - they look polished enough to go over a dress, and casual enough to go over a t-shirt and jeans. And the pockets are big enough to fit a tablet or large book! Plus, this comes with a bunch of extra options that can turn it into a safari-style jacket (belt, epaulets and bellows pockets). If you love classic style that doesn't go out of fashion, you should definitely give this a try.
This is probably my favourite vest/gilet pattern - it's very versatile, it layers beautifully under/over other garments, and the long version has HUGE pockets! I've made 3 so far (one long, 2 short), in corduroy, denim and moleskin, and the last one only took me a day and a half from cutting out to sewing on the buttons. It's also a good pattern for using up remnants from other projects, as the short version takes very little fabric. The instructions are a bit on the sparse side, but the video tutorial on YouTube is very helpful (just turn on subtitles if you don't speak French)! Lastly, if you combine it with the Tempo Jacket from the same designer, you can make a perfect replica of the Sézane Will Jacket ;)!
I have made two pairs of these. I referred to the sew along, but beware the sew along is for the female version of the chinos so there are a few slight differences. Tomcat stitchers also have a good sew along.
I have added extra notches on the pattern to show how far the pocket openings go and exten the pocket bags to allow them to easily reach the fly seams, I made wearable shorts as a toile as the construction means there is limited opportunity to amend fitting as you construct the chions
Fairly good instructions and construction. I made up the pattern and the finished garment made up as it should.
Excellent instructions and clever contraction. An easy make that creates a lovely blouse. Will be making one of the variations shortly.
Made coat out of wool coating from a craft stall.
The instructions are clear and straightforward. It is a clever design/construction so that the finished coat looks good.
I have never made a coat before or put a lining in anything and a number of people have complemented me on my coat and thought it had been shop bought.
I used Merchant and Mills buttons
It is a lovely coat , warm, comfortable and easy to wear
I’ve made 3 Cynthia’s so far and every time I finish one I want to make another, I would say at least 5% of my stash is set aside to make more.
I love the shape, the oversized fit and all the beautiful details. It’s so classically made yet styled so casually, it’s the perfect blend.
I was quite nervous when I first made this pattern as it was my first shirt project, but the instructions were great and the drafting is fantastic. I had a great time making it and was so proud of the finished garment.
I made size 42 size band 1 with no adjustments and it fit great. Writing this now is making me itch to make another one, I think this may be my favourite shirt pattern on the market.
I brought the Britney pants ages ago and it took me ages to get around to sewing them but when I finally did I couldn’t believe I’d waited so long.
The fit is perfect and the style is so good, I love the pleats at the hem they give it really nice shaping and the pockets are really spacious.
I made size 42 in a midweight corduroy and it was the perfect weight and drape for the pattern, they sewed up nicely but there were a couple of times the instructions got confusing (hence only 4 stars).
I think once you have the construction down this will be a pattern you will return to again and again, so far I’ve made 2 pairs and both get a lot of wear and I will be making more.
This was one of the first things I made when my sewing journey started.
I knew very little and didn’t have much confidence but I wanted to make something my unborn child and this looked perfect.
I was really apprehensive about giving it a go as it was more involved than anything I’d made up until that point, but I really needn’t have worried. The instructions were fantastic, they held my hand through the whole thing and the drafting was excellent.
Not only was I so proud of my finished project but it was such a confidence boost. I made it in a cotton poplin and it was perfect for summer exploring.
I made these for my 5 year old and he absolutely loved them, I used the elasticated waist option because they looked really comfortable and I can confirm he loves them and wears them all the time and says they’re his comfiest pair of shorts.
They sewed up really quickly and fit him perfectly. It was a nice easy pattern and the instructions are fantastic. I love the pocket detail and plan to steal the pocket style for some of my future makes.
I was on the fence about buying this pattern for a while but I’m so glad I finally did! The variations and customisations included mean you can make so many different tops with just the one pattern. I’ve made 3 already and will definitely make more!
My kids (4 & 6) are constantly on a growth spurt, they never stop eating and as a result they grow out of clothes as quick as I can make them.
So sometimes it’s just nice to have a basic pattern that sews up really quickly, is versatile, can be used from scraps and will get a lot of repeat wear in the short time it will fit them.
This pattern fills the brief. It’s my go to raglan top and I’ve lost count of how many I’ve made.
My son has even made a couple with me, it was the first item of clothing he ever made and he loved it. With an overlocker this can be sewn up in 30 minutes, it also makes an excellent gift for friends kids.
It’s the perfect raglan pattern.
Living in Cornwall means that a vast majority of the summer is spent at the beach, but usually getting to a beach involves trekking through tick ridden long grass. I made my 6 years old son a pair of these trousers last year and they were exactly what he needed!
Perfect for rolling up for a paddle, but then also great for rolling back down to walk through the weeds.
The instructions are fantastic and these sewed up super quickly, I really enjoyed making them and my son loves wearing them.
He’s starting to get a little too big for them now though and he’s already put in his request for a new pair this summer.
When my children were younger they practically lived in their over it alls. It was my go-to pattern and I made so many for them that they had constant rotation.
Not only do they look adorable, they’re really convenient. There is the option for leg snaps if you’re child is still in nappies and the popper arm straps make it so easy to get babies dressed and undressed.
They sew together really quickly and I had a great time making them. The instructions are really clear and easy to follow.
Cannot rate this pattern enough.
I made my daughter a dress using this pattern for her birthday and it turned out so perfectly. I made her the dress version and hacked the pockets to be a heart shape. She absolutely loved it and I couldn’t get her out of it for days.
It fit her perfectly and was so warm and cosy through the winter. I used a fleece backed jersey with only straight stretch and it worked really well, I used ribbing for the cuffs and the neckband as the original fabric didn’t have enough stretch for that, but it turned out lovely and I will be making more for her in the future
I used this pattern to make my son a backpack when he started school. I’ve made basic bags before but I mostly sew garments so I was really nervous about starting this project, there were so many new techniques and methods that I felt completely out of my depth.
However, this pattern is incredible! The instructions are so clear and easy to follow, I actually had a blast sewing this and it wasn’t anywhere near as complicated as I’d anticipated. I used a quilting cotton which I interfaced with woven interfacing to make it a little sturdier and it worked perfectly.
I can’t recommend this pattern enough, it was a really fun new challenge and I really enjoyed sewing it.
I made my sister a mini bestie for Christmas and she loved it! She has been asking for a replacement to the Fennal **** Pack I had made her a few years ago which she had worn to oblivion. She loved it so much that she actually said she preferred it to the OG one I made her which is saying something as she absolutely loved her bum bag.