Episode 15- Summer Sewing Patterns
- sewdisorganisedpod
- May 8
- 10 min read
Updated: May 10
I don't know about you but summer is my favourite season to sew for. Bring me floaty tencels and pillowsoft double gauze over wool and waterproofs any day! I also just prefer the projects, I love making floaty dresses and playsuits, almost as much as I love wearing them. On this weeks episode I talk about some of my favourite summer sewing patterns. Of course this isn't an extensive list or we would be here all day since the summer pattern catalogue is vast and long, but heres a small roundup to get you inspired and get your creative juices flowing.
But, before we get started just a few notes.
If you're looking for a one stop app to organise your sewing collection, everything from fabric to buttons then you can download the StashHub app, it’s available on IOS and Android and you can find it in your app shop.
Use code SEWDISORGANISED or follow this link https://invite.stashhubapp.com/?code=SewDisorganised&name=sewdisorganised to get 1 free month.
Also if you would like to support the podcast you can "buy me a coffe" on my Ko-Fi page. I love being able to bring you this content for free, but unfortunately it is no longer free for me to put out as I am at a point where the platforms I use to produce it are now costing pennies. Any contribution would be extremely appreciated. I have no intention of going behind a paywall with any content as I want it to be available for eveyone, but this just helps me out. You can find my Ko-Fi page here https://ko-fi.com/sewdisorganised Thank you for your continued support, just you being there listening to my ramblings means the world.
And finally biggest of shoutouts to The Fold Line, I would be lost without their extensive pattern database, they're always my go to for inspiration.
Right, enough of that, let us get started.
Skirts
I love this skirt, I only discovered this pattern a couple of weeks ago and since then I have already made one and it's so good. It was a quick and easy porject, and it helped me overcome my fear of lapped zippers. The instructions are really intuitive and made it a really easy proejct. The fit is also spot on, its' so comfortable and lots of swishy fun.
My Saturday Skirt in cotton from Rainbow Fabrics
Hands down my favourite skirt pattern, it's really no contest. I have made two of these already this month and I love both of them. This pattern sewed up ridiculously quickly, like under an hour quick and it just looks amazing, need more convincing? Go check out the hashtag #SWSHenrietta trust me you will be running to get the pattern.
My Henrietta Skirts one in linen I dyed pink and the other in ruby star lightweight cotton
I haven't yet made this pattern but it is very high on my list. I have seen so many beautiful versions popping up all over my instagram, and I am planning to add my own version to the collective this year. It's such a fun flirty style. I love the front yoke and the length options, I'm not sure I can pull off a mini version anymore but I could definitely rock a longer one.
This is the latest pattern from Syd Graham, and it's just lovely. I love how the tr give it all that extra volume, and they create the perfect opportunity to play around with some colour blocking, I'm imagining one made up in different colours of linen. I think a rainbow skirt is on the cards.
Dresses
This is such a cute summer dress, I haven't had the joy of making one yet but it feels like the perfect style for hot days where you need something light and breezy. I love the side gathers it gives it a very flatterning shape, it somewhat reminds me of the henrietta skirt, but in dress form. Elle Stitch is a new pattern designer to me but I am really enjoying her style and the patterns she's putting out.
Bypaary - Santhi Dress
Gotta do a big shoutout to my main girl Gowri, not only is she a wonderful person, she also creates beautiful size inclusive patterns. This dress is such a nice summery option, you could make it in linen and it would be so breezy and comfortable, I have some really cute crab and lobster wooden blocks and I want to print some fabric to make my own version. I think this would also be a really great base for hacking, I think I am going to hack a cinch tie waist in mine by making a channel and adding button holes so i can tie it at the front, I'm probably explaining that terribly, but it's very cute in my head.
I currently have this pdf half taped together and I'm planning to get one sewn up really soon, I have a beautiful orange and lilac heart cotton that is going to be perfect for it, I've dreamed about this dress since last year and I am finally getting off my butt and making it, it's such a cute style. From my experience Grainline patterns are extremely well drafted and the insturctions are great so I'm really looking forward to this project.
This is a really lovely dress and I thought I would add it in because we haven't had a knit pattern yet. I really like the cowel neck style and the bell shape of the dress. It's very flatterning and fun. This will work really well with a drapier jersey such as a viscose or bamboo knit or a rib knit, I think it would look beautiful sewn up in a floral jersey or shortened into a mini dress
By Hand London - Lucy Dress
There is no size chart for this pattern because it's a Draft Your Own adventure so not only are the styles limitless but so is the sizing, the instructions talk you through making a dress to your body measurments. With two bodice options, four sleeve options and up to a three tiered skirt the possibilities really are endless. You can make this for yourself or for your wee ones and you will learn so much about pattern drafting along the way. This is a really great opportunity to really get your creative brain working to create something beautiful from scratch.
Tops
This is such a sweet breezy top, it feels very reminiscent of old timey petticoats. This looks like it would be really comfortable to wear if you live in a part of the world that has particularly hot summers. I love a billowy top that you can flap around to get a breeze wafting up your body (you all know exactly what i'm talking about). This would match perfectly with their other new pattern the harper pants for a great coord set.
I am seeing this style top pop up all over the high street shops, it's having a huge moment in fashion. So naturally the indie sewing community is quick to catch up, there are a few patterns similar to this in the indie database I haven't picked this one over others for any particular reason, it was just the first one I thought of, and I know named patterns are always drafted to a high standard. This would be beautiful sewn with a matching pair of trousers, or shorts as shown in the samples.
Notches patterns are known for having a ton of variations and this is no exception, with minimum 46 possibilities you really get your monies worth. I love all the different styles, I'm particularly smitten with the mesh top version, I think it is styled beautifully and it's making me want to make my own.
Fabric Godmother - Fleur Top and Dress
Remember last year when this style top was having a huge moment? I remember seeing Ganni dupes popping up all over the sewing community, and just as I was about to get hacking my own version when Fabric Godmother released the Fleur Top and I was saved from having to do maths, which is always a good thing. Since it's release I have made three, (you can actually see one above paired with my Saturday Skirt). I haven't made the dress version yet but it is on my list, however, my list is unreasonably extensive so who knows when I will get around to it). But I do love my tops and wear them frequently.
Shorts
As you might have been able to tell from all my gushing over skirts, I love a skirt, however sometimes we just wan't to walk down the street without fear of a cheeky gust of wind exposing my dignity to the world. Enter culottes, they may look like a skirt but they are in fact sneaky shorts. I love the idea of this, I enjoy skateboarding and even on a cold day I will end a session a sweaty mess so in the summer less layers is key, but I don't want to be skating around in a floaty skirt because I will be left with even more shame than the time I fully stacked it in front of a huge audience trying to drop off a curb. Culottes are the perfect solution, breezy comfort with security. I'm very much here for this.
I learnt about Bermuda shorts for the first time last year, and ever since then I've not stopped hearing about them, they are having another moment in the trends this year. They remind me of safari shorts, I can just imagine wearing them trekking through the savana or chopping down vines with a machete in the jungle. I'm not sure this is what SOI had planned when creating the pattern, but it's nice to know they will see you through all walks of life.
I had the joy of testing this pattern and they were an absolute pleasure to make. I managed to make a pair using the scraps of my Nerissa Pratt fabric, they are such a good scrap busting project because you really dont need a lot of fabric. They sewed up really quickly and they're very comfortable. I've seen a few tie side trousers doing the rounds and I think this would be a really easy pattern to lengthen or frankestein with another pattern to make your own pair. Mine still get a lot of wear, I love to wear them with my flip flops to the beach.
My Boxer Bow Shorts made from my Nerissa scraps
I've had this pattern and fabric cut out to make a pair since last year, but then as sometimes happens (or frequently happens in my case) it got put in a pile and forgotten about. I think it's about time I pull it out and actually sew it up. I already mentioned with the culottes that I love a skirt looking pair of shorts and a skort is just that to the max, its literally in the name. I like that this pattern has an option for a tie closure or a button closure. I've seen so many great versions of this made up I'm actually getting excited to revisit my pair.
I am a little obsessed with this pattern. I love the shape and the fit, I also love the sample with the contrasting topstitiching. I actually only learned about this pattern whilst researching this episode but immediatly had to purchase a copy and I will be sewing up my own pair very soon. They remind me of the shorts all the cool kids wore when I was growing up. I want to be a cool kid too so expect to see a pair very soon!
Co-ords
I am obsessed with this set, it's ridiculously adorable. I have made the shorts but I have yet to make the top, and I do have fabric set aside to make a pair of the trousers. this style is right up my street, its fun, playful and comfortable, and I really love a matching set. All the features are so intentional and fit together perfectly. Ruffles from head to toe, sign me up please!
My Ruffle Brunch Shorts in cotton lawn from The Edit by Narissa
I'm not sure Blackbird Fabrics can do any wrong, not only do they provide us beautiful high quality fabrics, but they now also bring us amazing patterns. I have been loving and buying every one they release. Including this one, although as seems to be the theme here, I've yet to make a pair but I do have fabric set aside for it. I like that if you dont want to make seperates you have the option to attach the front hem to the skirt which gives it a realy nice flatterning effect. It's just a really lovely summery pattern.
I remember my excitment when this pattern was first released, since then I have seen so many becautiful versions. The best thing is that while yes these do work perfectly as a set, they also work great as seperates, and we love patterns that can do the mileage, you essentially get three outfits in one pattern. I'm a big fan, again this is one that sits permemnatly at the top of list but I haven't gotten around to seiwng yet. I think a big sewing plans brain dump is due very soon as I'm loosing brain space to store all these ideas. the numskulls are working overtime up there (if you're and old school Beano fan then this reference will make sense, if not, they're the tiny fellows operating my brain).
This is a great pattern, I've made a few pairs for myself and also made them as gifts for several friends and family members. I made my sister a pair for her 30th birthday and 4 years on it's still one of her favourite tops and she wears it all the time. I love that because it's elastic waist shorts and an oversized top their isn't much fitting involved which is why it makes the perfect gift. I've actually been considering making another pair this year as my others are getting a little worn and could probably do with a rest.
This is such a fun and simple summer set, it is perfect for beginners because both the top and trousers are a very simple construction, there are no fiddly fittings or tricky techniqes, just a simple straight stitch. I picked up this pattern at the stitch Festival and I really want to make a shorts set. It looks like it will be really comfortable for lounging around it, but also super cute for a picnic. I love taking my kids on picnic hikes in the summer, but it gets hot on the trails so this will be absolutely perfect.
Well thats all folks. If you've made it this far, well done! I know this was a chunky episode. I hope you are feeling inspired to get behind your sewing machine and sew up some gorgeous summer outfits. I'd love to hear what your favourite summer patterns.
Thanks for all of your support and lovely feedback, I really do appreciate you.
All my love,
Marie x
Comments