Pattern Review

Genra shirt by Daughter Judy

I need another button up shirt pattern about as much as I need more fabric in my stash (reader, I have plenty of both), but I could not resist the latest pattern from Daughter Judy, the Genra shirt and dress. The design is what drew me in: it’s the neckline and collar paired with the oversized silhouette that was so irresistible. The result is modern, season-less garment that feels much more elegant than any other button up I’ve made to date.

Cosmique Jacket by Les Lubies de Cadia

Fun fact: my home city has the longest spring season in the US, yet one glaring hole in my wardrobe for years has been a lightweight spring jacket. I can never settle on a pattern. Enter the Cosmique jacket from Les Lubies De Cadia, a new-to-me French pattern company. Cosmique manages to take utilitarian workwear and elevate it with some interesting design choices, so I decided to give it a try.

Citrine Cardigan from Made by Rae

The Citrine cardigan is the latest pattern release from Made by Rae. At first glance, I thought Citrine looked almost identical to Marlo. But there are a number of important differences between Citrine and Marlo, and having made both patterns, Citrine comes out ahead for me.

Shop Pants by Open Studio

The Shop pants are the first pattern released by Open Studio last year, and they’ve been on my radar ever since. I decided to give this pattern a try after seeing so many positive reviews and learning a bit more about the pattern company.

Worship Jeans by Daughter Judy

This winter has been the season of jeans making for me, and for my third consecutive pair this year, I made the Worship jeans by Daughter Judy Patterns. The Worship jeans are different from my previous two jeans projects in terms of drafting, construction, and fit, so that’s why I wanted to make them. They complement the other two patterns and give me a different silhouette in my jeans rotation.

Helene Jeans by Anna Allen

I do not like high rise jeans, or so I thought before a few weeks ago. They are uncomfortable and restrictive, and I dislike the feeling of stiff denim around my waist. But the Helene jeans by Anna Allen changed my mind completely at the first try-on. Not only are they shockingly comfortable, but they have just about everything I want in a classic jeans pattern.

Helene Jeans: Studying the Fit

If I tally up all the time I spend on a big sewing project, most of it is NOT spent sewing. It’s not even spent on fitting the toile (thanks, Top Down Center Out!). Rather, the majority of my time is spent studying the pattern, researching the details, and crystalizing my vision for what I want the garment to be. In today’s post, I’ll share some of the research that went into my latest project, the Helene jeans from Anna Allen.

Adams Jeans by Daughter Judy Patterns

I’ve been thinking about garments as narrative lately. Whether it’s two words or two thousand, every garment makes a statement about the wearer and the maker. The process of making a garment can also be its own form of storytelling, and today’s post will take you along for that journey. I don’t always share the creative inspiration for my projects, or the twists and turns in creative decision-making, but in my closet these are equally as important as construction and fit for a successful garment. So let’s dive in!

Adams Pants by Daughter Judy

When Daughter Judy Patterns launched recently, the Adams pants immediately caught my eye for their unique style lines and fresh design. We haven’t seen many patterns like this one in the indie sewing pattern industry: Adams is a modern take on the classic jean, and I knew immediately I had to make a pair.

The Isca Dress by Marilla Walker

I’ve made a lot of button up shirts over the years, and the Isca dress by Marilla Walker has always caught my eye because it is a unique twist on a classic design. The princess seam on the front bodice creates a stunning “V” shape and is a great way to emphasize a bold stripe, directional print, or color blocking. There’s also a clever shoulder construction that omits a traditional shoulder seam entirely.