I had the joy of sewing this pattern up just before the release and I love it!
Not only was it an absolute joy to sew - the instructions are very clear and easy to follow - but it is also and absolute treat to wear.
I chose the version with all the ruffles and the details are just beautiful. There are a few trickier details such as button holes, collars and gathering so I would not recommend this for an absolute beginner but if you have sewn a few things and feel confident then it is definitely doable.
I made size 12 D-Cup. I toiled both 14 B-cup and 12 D-cup sized before sewing my final one because I fell in between both sizes. They would have both fit fine because of the ease given but I preferred the looser fit of the D-Cup.
I used a beautiful cotton lawn which was gifted from fabric godmother and it made the whole thing more enjoyable because it was such a lovely fabric to work with and had a lovely crisp finish.
I have had a hard time sewing linings for bags, so I was nervous about getting this pouch right. But it was simple and the directions are very good.
I made two beautiful pouches as Christmas gifts. Such a fun way to use nice scrap fabric or shop for remnants!
This is a great pattern. I made the barrel legs version and had to shorten it by an inch or so but that was the only necessary adjustment. The trousers came together beautifully and the instructions were very clear. I'm delighted with them and am impatient to make another pair as soon as my fabric arrives.
I used black boiled wool ( a mistake as I have a golden retriever and her hair sticks like velcro!). Given exposed edges, I used a rotary cutter rather than my favoured scissors- good move. Added length (25cm to mid calf- I am 179cm tall). I did go by finished garment sizing and feel that it comes up roomy. Will size down next time and go for felted wool. Love the piece though and wear it a lot, Just regret the dog hair!
I was late to the Marnie party. When the pattern first came out I thought "Nah, that's too flouncy for me". But I kept seeing so many different versions on Instagram and vlogs - double gauze ones which pretty tucks, giant poofy-sleeve and full-on ruffled cotton ones in cool '70s prints, tucked into high waisted jeans... And then I bought this fabric from Fabrics Galore at the Harrogate Knit and Stitch Festival - a beautifully soft, drapey viscose challis in this joyful Nerida Hansen print - and thought "That's the one!"
Based on my measurements, I cut out a straight size 5 but added 2" to the body length. I'm 5'7" tall. There are many panels in the body so you have to be super vigilant to make sure you add 2 inches to ALL the relevant panels - don't miss one! I didn't however add anything to the sleeves and glad I didn't 'cos, in my mind, the sleeves are a tad long. I did however replace the elastic with a very simple cuff binding - I'm not a fan of wrist elastic - I always get it too tight and I frequently like to push my sleeves up.
I chose to just do the shoulder ruffles but took my time and did French seams to ensure a long lasting finish on the delicate fabric. The neck binding looks so neat - really chuffed with that feature.
As always, the instructions are fantastic - so detailed, with clear photos for every step in the construction. I love the fact that there are so many options to personalise and choosing a different fabric can give a totally different look. Yes, some of the features are fiddly, but if you take it slow and choose your fabric wisely, then totally achievable.
Easy to follow pattern and came out perfect! I made it with oilcloth (first time using it for me).
I've made this pattern twice - once in a very stable and super thick sweatshirting (from Fabric Godmother) and again using a (minerva) Sherpa fleece for the first time - both times my fabric choice created some challenges so I'll try to be as objective as possible on the pattern and instructions!
First off, I bought the paper pattern and so you have to trace off the appropriate size as all the pattern pieces overlap each other on a double-sized sheet of A1. The step-by-step instructions don't mention the seam allowance. Instead you have to refer back to a chart at the start of the instructions to see what seam allowance is included on each individual pattern piece. Both elements do create some friction....
The pattern instructions suggest that you may wish to use a contrasting fabric - e.g. a woven twill - for the button placket but I wanted the warmth of using the knit fabric I was using for the main body. With my first version, in the super thick sweat shirting, sewing and overlocking 5 layers of fabric at the base of the button placket was a challenge! I guess it would be much easier with 4 of those layers replaced by a twill but not as snuggly. The Sherpa fleece, despite all the fluff, was a bit thinner and therefore less bulky.
I used press studs (Hemline Heavy Duty) and on the first version, I didn't reinforce the sweatshirt and I think the press studs will pull out very quickly and need repairing somehow. So with the second attempt, I've sewn a strip of webbing on the placket (see photo) to reinforce the fabric before inserting the press studs. Not really a fault of the pattern - it's a fabric choice issue but thought others might finding the heads up useful.
The method of construction of the collar and joining the button placket isn't the neatest. The instructions get you to understitch the top edge of the collar after you've joined the button placket so you can't get right to the end. And you secure the button placket and collar by stitching in the ditch which it always tricky to get neat. Try doing it with black Sherpa.....!
Anyway, I do like the finished result - the pockets are cosy, the panelled yoke is a nice feature, and I can see loads of opportunity for colour blocking and contrast placket. (PS - The fleece fabric was a nightmare to cut out and sew but, boy, is it toasty warm!!)
I have now made two more pairs in the same pattern, one in a mid weight drapey linen twill and another in Merchant and Mills mid-wale chocolate corduroy. Again both extended to full length with strap and hammer pocket deleted. For the corduroy pants I inserted a welt back pocket rather than patch pockets.
Made as a Christmas present for my partner's mother in 100% merino sweater knit (sorry I forgot to take photos!).
Only 4 pattern pieces so once cut out, a very quick sew. Needs a bit of space and jiggling around fabric to cut out - instructions explain how to refold the fabric to get the extremely wide pieces out of the required length to minimise waste. I needed 170cm for the size I made but had to buy the fabric in half metre increments so was tempted to be economical (read '"stingy"!!) and only buy 150cm. Glad I didn't 'cos I needed the full 170cm! I'll use the very small remnants to perhaps make a snood?
I sewed up majority on the overlocker. I overlocked the hem and then turned over and used my sewing machine to secure neatly.
Anyway, the gift was very well received! A nice snuggly layer to throw on around the house.
I bought this pattern because I wanted a classic oversized shirt that I could layer over t-shirts and wear under jumpers that I could make time and time again. I made this version in a thrifted bed sheet, made special with some Pigeon Wishes buttons.
Based on my body measurements, particularly my hip measurement, I cut out a straight size 44 and it came out ok - I especially wanted an oversized 'boyfriend' type shirt. A bit big around the collar but I'm unlikely to wear it fully buttoned. The arms and body are a good length for me with no alterations. It has a slightly drop shoulder so easy to fit in that regard!
The pattern is really well drafted - I've since made it again in a vintage Liberty 'country cotton' (a gift from a friend clearing out her stash, somethings going back to the '70s) - and both times all the notches on the cuffs matched up e-x-a-c-t-l-y with the pleats and bound sleeve openings! Very satisfying. (NB - the sleeve openings are bound with a strip of bias not a full-on tower placket) I could claim it was my meticulously accurate sewing but I think it's actually due it being a quality pattern.
However the instructions are slightly simplified in places. There are some steps where you need to know what you're doing. The pockets have curved corners so that would be a bit fiddly for a beginner. In contrast, the sleeves are inserted on the flat before sewing up the sides and underarm which I always find easy and quick!
Will be interesting to see how it comes out in a drapey fabric, a viscose, or a lighter-weight voile or gauze for a summer cover-up. I will definitely be trying both as it was a quick, easy and satisfying sew.
This is also my second pair of Belleville jeans, made in an olive green cotton twill from Minerva. Based on my body measurements, I needed to grade from a size 12 at waist to size 16 on the hips. The instructions are great and in particular explain how to grade between different sizes of waist and hip - which, let's face it, is probably the most common fitting issue with jeans - and gives a detailed diagram and step by step instructions of where to redraw the lines on each pattern piece you need to adjust. Brilliant!
They're high waisted and feel close fitting around waist but comfortable. They have full pocket stays - i.e. the pocket bags extend right across the front and are secured into the zip fly - so give you lovely tummy support!
The instructions also include at each relevant stage when and where you would need to distress the fabric if you wanted to create the 'worn-in' look. Also brilliant! I've not used these instructions yet but would feel confident to try it another time.
I'm 5'7" so I also added 2" to length - 1" above knee and 1" below as there's a knee dart feature. The pattern pieces are very well drafted and have shorten/lengthen lines in 3 positions - in the rise, thigh and lower leg - so you have the flexibility to reduce or add length as necessary to suit your individual proportions.
After finishing, I did decide I need to also make a low seat adjustment and unpicked all the topstitching and back seam to scoop out a chunk from the back crotch seam. But so glad I did. I've still got a bit of excess fabric in the small of my back (see photos) so will take out 1/4" of back rise next time.
Love 'em! And have cut out another pair in Fabric Godmother leopard print denim already!
This pattern produced the perfect skirt. I made a toile and added a couple of cm to the waist, and made the pocket bags longer to fit a phone in. Other than that I followed the pattern. The instructions for the fly front were detailed and very clear resulting in the best fly front I’ve ever made. It’s exactly what I wanted, made in a green needle cord. I’ll definitely make another in a different fabric. The only slight negative is the huge number of lines in the printed pattern does make it tricky at times to work out which is which when they overlap, and the nicks are very difficult to work out as the majority came out as solid lines on the print, but the pattern is so simple and so good, the pattern goes together perfectly.
The instructions for SA patterns are not for beginners. Otherwise, this is a great pattern. It’s designed for woven fabric, but also works for knits. This one is made in cotton jersey.
Really liked this style and it came together nicely. I didn't find a problem with the keyhole like other reviewers. I do find the arm facings a bit flappy though - my husband has to tuck them in for me at the back whenever I wear it, even though I've stitched them down at the shoulders and under the arms. I think I'd try and draft a whole facing for neck and sleeves if I make another one, which I might. Would also say that this block is very much for a straight-up-and-down figure. The ties at the waist cinch the dress in nicely but I graded up by one size at the hips for my pear-shaped figure and really needed to grade up by two. The instructions say that the bust size is the important one - only if you have the classic bust-same-as-hips shape...I wish!
I was disappointed with this pattern as the instructions were confusing and much too long and over detailed. I had to make a number of changes to the original pattern and had problem with the plackets. I like short clear instructions with precise matching drawings. I am an intermediate sewer. Love the look but unfortunately very frustrating at times.
Useful and colourful labels! Excellent quality, as always.
I've just made view A in a snuggly soft sweat with ribbing for the bands and cuffs, and I love it! The fit is as described - oversized and loose fitting. I sized down one based on the finished garment measurements and I'm really happy with it. I'm 1.58cm and didn't make any length adjustments. I made size 2 with a little less than 1m of fabric.
This is a modular pattern so you can mix and match the sleeves (or leave them off for a t-shirt), hem and neck options. I have plans for many more versions!
The seam allowance is only 6mm so be extra careful if snipping notches.
The construction is simple and this was a joy to make.
A straightforward pattern. I had made some yoga leggings in terry fleece and had enough remnant to make the sleeeves, contrast fabric for the body and collar. I made the high collar. Another time I might add interfacing to help it stay up.
I made these in a plain cotton linen and they have a nice structure. I lengthened the legs, but another time I will keep them landing on the upper ankle. I plan to make another pair with a feature facing on the pocket (ie turning it out rather than in) and the same width of ankle band. Easy pattern, especially if you've made straighforward trousers before, but with a design shape that's not too challenging to wear.
I made the top in a poplin remnant and did a bias binding round the neck as I don't like the faff of facing. I like the simple styling. Four stars because I had to put a dart either side in the back of the neck to have it lie flat. That's an awkard place to fit and it slightly spoils to simple aesthetic of the piece. Looking at the images from M&M I can see it is lifting off the back of the neck there too, so not just my body.
I love this pattern. It’s so well drafted, gives 3 looks in one dress (plus 3 more with the second sleeve design) and it looks very different in different fabrics. It’s a real pleasure to sew-up and to wear. This one is made in a crafting cotton. Not ideal for drape, but I love the print with its Cheetahs. I have 2 others and more planned.
I bought this pattern slightly on impulse and slightly on request: my kid was interested to have a trapper hat and I was curious to give it a try. The first one I made (denim and fleece, in blue and orange) was a very quick sew and very satisfying. I was able to make it with just fabrics I already had to hand, it doesn’t use much at all. Since then I’ve worn it pretty much every day and am really pleased with it - it keeps my ears warm, is useful when cycling, and is lightweight too.
The one for my kid took a bit longer to complete, because I was finishing another make first. The sherpa fleece from Merchant and Mills was also not the easiest to sew, despite following the tips on their social media about how to handle it - it really is very bulky when you sew two layers of fleece together, and sewing the lining to the hat is a particularly bulky step. Next time I will stick to the thinner fleece.
The pattern calls for you to make a buttonhole band with the self fabric, but I used a piece of buttonhole elastic which is considerably easier and I would recommend that substitution.
I am thinking of making a few more, as presents or for family wear, and perhaps also to give to a local good cause that is asking for donations of winter clothing.
I have made two of these shirts now, one as a bit of a test and then this one having learned from my mistakes earlier. This is a great pattern for a smarter, tailored type shirt - it doesn’t have darts for a slim fit, but it has options for good pockets, a separate button placket if you want it, and collar stiffeners plus button down collar, again if you want that. The one thing it didn’t have, which I needed to add, was French cuffs for cufflinks - that was quite easily done by paying close attention to a RTW shirt. (That’s the main bit that I got wrong on my first time of making, but it was quite easy to correct once I paid more attention to a proper example.)
I definitely recommend this pattern - you can of course make it in a more casual style fabric too, but it really repays a bit of nice fabric and careful focus on the detail.
Been on the lookout for some culottes or long shorts to wear following my impending knee replacement and this seemed to have the most good reviews. Reading other reviews I sized down by one size to a 10, to be honest I could even have cut an 8 and will do so next time. I'm 5 foot 2 and wanted a cropped length so removed about 10cm from the length. They came together quickly. I used a French terry in dusky pink and made the Tessuti Mandy Boat Tee to match in less than a day. A great casual outfit comfy to wear.
