May Pattern Roundup

It’s the end of May and the heat is on (in the Northern Hemisphere anyway) and once again, lots of patterns to get through in the Roundup. And once again, I’ve probably missed some so let me know in the comments.

Here we go, in no particular order except to try to group by garment type …

Dresses & Skirts

Chalk and Notch Orchid Dress – Link / Size Chart

The Orchid Dress is Chalk and Notch’s second re-release with updated sizing and a new bust cup. The gorgeous ladies modeling above are testers (Hi Raven, Mary, and Mary), though any one of them could certainly be an official model for the Orchid. Speaking of which, I’m hoping to soon see updated pattern photos from Chalk and Notch to feature their new sizing because once the release blog and IG posts roll on, the updated sizing won’t be so obvious on their shop pages. The Orchid is a pretty dress with options to make it multi-seasonal. I’ll take one of each of the three above, please.

Chalk and Notch’s first updated sizing release was the Fringe dress, which I don’t think was featured in a previous Roundup, so I’m sneaking it in here.

Chalk & Notch Fringe Dress – Link / Size Chart

Blank Slate Bexley Dress – Link / Size Chart

I’m loving this cute outfit for summer. Blank Slate describes this “not-so-basic” t-shirt dress as perfect for every day and also nice enough for date night, and I agree. Plus, this lady knows how to accessorize. That pink! That necklace! Those sandals! She looks great!

Little Ragamuffin Bonnie – Link / Size Chart

The Bonnie Shirt & Dress offers several style variations with a vintage vibe and curve-friendly seaming options. I love a good underbust seam actually laying under the bust, as above. So nice.

Jalie Michelle Dress (and tank) – Link / Size Chart

Jalie recently released their latest collection. I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I love Jalie patterns. They are drafted well and have always had very inclusive sizing. On the other hand, very few of the patterns in this release are blowing me away. Most are basics that we’ve seen/bought somewhere else by now. Jalie styles used to skew more trendsetting and not trend-following. That said, I do have a couple more Jalies in this Roundup and if you are still looking for some of these and the other “new’ styles, you won’t go wrong choosing Jalie.

The Michelle dress (and tank) features a rounded vee neck, wide straps to cover bra straps, and facing and/or lining options for sheer and opaque fabrics and layers. Is anyone else thinking Moneta?

Elbe Lawley Skirt – Link / Size Chart

Do you follow Jess/Fat Bobbin Girl (not her above) on her Broad in the Seams blog or IG? She’s been providing a wonderful roundup of her own for FREE patterns for curvy bodies. Thanks Jess for pointing me to the Elbe Textiles Lawley Skirt, a gathered, knee length skirt featuring an elasticated waistband with a drawstring and side pockets with a bias strip edging finish. This looks like a skirt to live in all summer!

(And while you’re visiting Elbe Textiles, pick up the FREE pattern for the Sorrento Bucket Hat too.)

Cashmerette Holyoke Maxi Dress & Skirt – Link / Size Chart

Just when I started putting together this Roundup, Cashmerette released their latest pattern, the Holyoke Maxi Dress & Skirt. Lots of options for this one and I’m already seeing them pop up on the Interwebs. Seems we’ve all been waiting for a curve-friendly maxi. Cashmerette is calling this a “summer classic,” but I’m also seeing it as a layering jumper/pinafore for autumn so you Down Under ladies can hop right on as well.

Rebecca Page Patsy Party Dress – Link / Size Chart

Here’s another FREEBIE! I think this one is new, but I’m not positive. Note to indie pattern makers: Put a release date somewhere on your pattern’s webpage, because once you list them alphabetically or your blog is updated, I have no idea what’s new. 

Anyway … new or not, I’m including it because it’s wedding season and hey. Free. Extended Sizing. Twirly. Need I say more? OK — Optional boning and interlining with step-by-step instructions to create a beautifully fitting bodice. What are you waiting for?

Style Arc Sorrento Skirt – Link / Size Chart

Style Arc really makes me appreciate all the tester photos from OTHER designers. Ahem. Ruffles and frills are still popular and this skirt looks comfortably floaty for summer, although I suspect that flounce might be a fabric hog.

Seamwork Everly Skirt – Link / Size Chart Imperial / Size Chart Metric

Ah, Seamwork. I include Seamwork patterns in these Roundups because I know many CSC readers use them. The Everly Skirt layers look pretty. It’s cut on the bias and has an invisible zipper. I hope the instructions are good. Sigh.

True Bias Shelby Dress/Romper – Link / Size Chart

I wasn’t sure whether to categorize this (and the next pattern) as a Dress/Skirt or Pants, so I snuck them in at the end of the dresses and just above the pants. The Shelby is a princess-seamed dress or romper with four views. I think this is another pattern that really isn’t anything new but the generous ease and all those vertical seams provide lots of fitting and size opportunities so I gave in to my inner nag and included it here.

Helen’s Closet Winslow Culottes – Link / Size Chart

Helen’s Closet just re-released the very popular (for good reason) Winslow Culottes in the new extended size range. I’m sure I’ll be making these. Along with most of the internet.

Pants/Shorts/Overalls

Wide leg and cropped pants (what used to be called capris, no?) are very on trend, which means there have been a lot of patterns recently released for just this style. I’ll let you sort out the slight and not-so-slight differences among them. But it’s definitely nice to have a plethora (love that word!) of choices that will actually fit ME. Yes!

Style Arc Clare Pant – Link / Size Chart

Jalie Simone – Link / Size Chart

Itch to Stitch Samara Pants – Link / Size Chart –  click and go to the size tab

Made by Rae Rose Pants – Link / Size Chart

I was looking for a Rose size chart to link to and emailed the designer, Rae. She very speedily replied and included the following note, which I thought was … well, notable. So punny am I.

While Rose is definitely our most inclusive pattern to date, I have recently noticed that a lot of people are unaware that since 2016 we had expanded our size range up to 3X (bust 51″ / hip 53″) for all of our new pattern releases (Gemma, Isla, Cleo, Jade) and retroactively updated the Ruby dress and top. With the recent #sewmysize hashtag on Instagram, we were happy to use the generously-shared size data from sewists in the online community to create an even more inclusive range for Rose. 

HotPatterns Fast & Fabulous Marrakesh Xpress – Link / Size Chart

I believe these are a faster/easier version of HP’s original Marrakesh pattern (which I have and made and loved). I’m curious if the crotch curve fit is the same since the original was excellent on me. Then again, I’m pretty sure I could simplify that pattern into this one. Oh, don’t mind me … I’m just mumbling out loud over here.

Helen’s Closet Yanta Overalls – Link / Size Chart 

The Yanta Overalls are very cute. Classic and modern at the same time, if that makes any sense, and I might even be inspired to make myself a pair in the Fall. But it’s much, much too hot already (96F today, which is unusually hot even for Florida) to even think about all that extra fabric on me. See me in October.

Tops/Jackets

HotPatterns Fast & Fabulous Foursquare Ts – Link / Size Chart

I’m personally loving this style right now, especially since I just finished sewing the similar Cashmerette Cedar Dolman as a vee neck (which it isn’t originally) and I love how it turned out. I think either pattern will be a great choice. Since HP are notoriously generous with ease, the Foursquare may fit larger sizes.

Itch to Stitch Isidro Top – Link / Size Chart

This Isidro may be one of those sleeper patterns, a pattern that is sneakily fast with a little something extra that is perfect to wear when you want more than a tee. In the right fabric, this cute top would even be able to go to my (cough:cough) stuffy office.

SBCC Harvey Shirt – Link / Size Chart

The Harvey is a classic button down drafted for curvy petites, and it’s now CSC Editor Megan’s new TNT (read Meg’s review here). The Harvey also comes with a shirtdress view, perfect for those sticky summer nights. Or is that just here in Tampa?

Jalie Tania Coatigan – Link / Size Chart

First, I pretty much want anything that Meg makes. I know I’m singing to the choir on that. Second, this is the one pattern from Jalie’s recent release that I can already see myself buying/making (but not until Fall at least). It still reminds me of other patterns, but in this instance it’s OK since it has a little more to it.

Winter Wear Designs Traveler Tee – Link / Size Chart

And, finally! This is another Indie that I think is new but I can’t really tell for sure. But in any case, it’s new to ME so that counts, right? I really like the side panel added to what is otherwise a basic raglan, because it makes it a NOT basic raglan. A woven fabric can be used as the front panel, knits everywhere else. I can see great scrapbusting possibilities with this pattern.

Thanks for sticking through to the end. Now go sew something. 🙂