Kinder Cardigan – Now Available as a PDF Pattern!

The Tapton Skirt – Now Available as a PDF Pattern

MIY Made By You – Fulwood Dresses

So many gorgeous makes using my patterns have been shared by proud makers on social media recently. Probably too many to be included in this month’s MIY Makers and, if you don’t use social media, you’ll miss them, so I’ve decided to devote a special post to them here.

Unsurprisingly there were lots of Fulwoods.

The Fulwood is one of my most popular MIY Collection patterns, I think thanks to the seemingly endless different ways to make it.  I’m still finding new ways and so, it seems, are you!

This summery floaty floral viscose number is by @_ym.sews_ on Instagram. Check out her feed to see it finished.

A Free MIY Collection PDF Pattern – the Pomona Shrug

MIY Collection Fulwood Pattern – Updated & Back in Stock!

The ever-popular, ever-versatile Fulwood is back in stock and now it’s better than ever!

Included in the pattern, instructions and cutting plans are all the many variations I’ve found of making it, including; the one piece dress (above),

the t-shirt (above in woven and knit).

The instructions also now explain how to extend the sleeves of the bodice to make the batwing dress (above).

The PDF version of the pattern has also been updated with these improvements and if you had already bought the PDF you will by now have received an email telling you that an updated version is available to download.

I’ve been wearing my one piece dress in black ponte roma loads, it’s comfortable to wear and easy to dress up or down. Yes I have a grey on in the planning and yet more hacks! Watch this space.

If you’re starting to plan your autumn/winter sewing, this one is the perfect dress for layering and looks great with a long sleeved top underneath and worn over tights or leggings. What are you waiting for? Get yours now!

And if that wasn’t enough, watch out over the next few days for news of a Fulwood kit……!!

Fulwood Dresses, Brightside Shrugs & Shared Nostalgia for Sheffield

Kate Brookes is a sewing blogger based in Sydney Australia, but she’s originally from…..yes, you guessed it, Sheffield!! All good things come from Sheffield!

So, inevitably Kate and I occasionally reminisce about all things Sheffield online and I was chuffed when she recently chose to buy my Fulwood Dress and Brightside Shrug patterns.

She’s now written a lovely review of them which includes some Sheffield nostalgia, sewing, squeezing a pint out of a half pint pot (in fabric terms) and inspiring one of her 11 year old sewing students to also make a Brightside Shrug!

It’s a great read, have a look.

The Wisewood – Now Available as a PDF Pattern!

Hooray, you can now buy the Wisewood pattern as a PDF download and get sewing instantly!

I have to confess I love this pattern (is it a bit weird to say that about one of your own patterns?!) That sleeveless dress version in the picture above? I wear it soooo much in the summer, it’s comfortable and flattering to wear and can easily be dressed up or down.

The pattern has 2 cowl options – a standard depth cowl that you could probably wear without the need for a vest underneath or a dramatic deeper version that falls into lots of luxurious folds and drapes. Shown above is the top with the deeper cowl and the dress with the regular cowl.

The pattern includes 2 different ways to finish the deeper cowl: simply left to drape through the whole of the dress front, or with the bottom part stitched out to give a more fitted dress below the waist which emphasises the beautiful drape of the cowl neck, like the one below:

Both dress and top versions are included in the pattern and the instructions will walk you through inserting sleeves or how to add a beautifully professional finish to the sleeveless version as well as the different ways to finish the cowl.

8 sizes are included in the pattern ranging from bust size 80cm to 111cm (31.5″ to 44″) and hip size 88cm to 119cm (34.5″ to 47″). This pattern is sized based on body measurements not dress sizes and includes full details of finished garment measurements for each size to make sure you get the right size first time.

Here is a lovely selection made by my students in sewing classes at MIY Workshop:

There’s more inspiration on this dedicated Wisewood Pinterest board.

Get your Wisewood pattern now for just £9 and start sewing tonight.

If you’re not a fan of PDF patterns, the Wisewood is also available as a paper pattern here.

MIY Collection Longley Cardi Pattern Reviewed by Very Kerry Berry

I’ve known the lovely Kerry Green for a while in the virtual world and she most recently interviewed me for her column in Sewing World magazine. Kerry does a lot of patchwork and quilting, but also makes most of her own clothes and blogs about both at http://verykerryberry.blogspot.co.uk

I asked Kerry if she would be up for reviewing one of my patterns and was thrilled when she agreed (she’s a busy woman and I’m not quite sure how she fits it all in!). Kerry chose the Longley cardi and has written a really detailed review of the pattern in this blog post. She also includes a little tutorial on how to finish the back neck of the cardi with binding. Have a look, it’s such a nice detail.

If you’re inspired to have a go at making your own, the pattern is available in print for £15 and as a PDF download for £9.

If you need a bit of fabric inspiration, Ditto has a great range of excellent quality knits.

The Brightside Shrug Reviewed by Kylie of InleDesigns

Don’t you think Kylie of Inledesigns looks cute in her version of the Brightside shrug? She’s made it look so ladylike by teaming it with her Kim dress.

Photo © Inledesigns

It’s one of the things that this pattern is great for: a non-bulky, grown-up, chic alternative to a cardi when you just need that little extra layer over the top of your frock!

Photo © Inledesigns

But even better, although Kylie made it for a special occasion it’s becoming a wardrobe staple.  I just love that!

If you’re inspired to make your own, you can get the Brightside as a printed paper pattern, pdf download pattern or as a complete making kit.

The Longley Cardigan Sewing Pattern: Recent Blogger Reviews

There have been some great reviews of the Longley cardigan recently. I guess January is cardigan time of year for a lot of the world and what could be better than a cosy, stylish, easy to wear, quick to make cardi?!

Rae Hoekstra, the US designer behind Made by Rae sewing patterns made this gorgeous version:

Photo © Rae Hoekstra

….and wrote a glowing review of the pattern! Read it here.

Published on the same day was a review by Anne who blogs as Compulsive Seamstress and has so far made 2 Longley cardigans:

Photos © Compulsive Seamstress

Read Anne’s review of the pattern here.

I love that both these bloggers aren’t stopping at just one cardi, Anne is onto her 3rd and Rae has lots more planned. Surely the sign of a great pattern?!

Inspired? The Longley cardigan pattern is available in print and now as a PDF digital pattern from the MIY Collection shop.