This month was a little slower than usual for new pattern releases, which is no big surprise given how crazy both September and October were. You all don’t mind getting a somewhat shorter post every once in a while, do you? One great thing about this month, however, is that what we miss in quantity, we make up for in variety; quite a few of this month’s new patterns are fairly unique. Let’s take a look!
Cashmerette Patterns – Ames Jeans
Trying to fit pants or jeans when your body deviates from “standard” hourglass proportions can be very frustrating. To help ease your frustration in this area, Cashmerette has just released the new Ames Jeans pattern–a curve-friendly jeans pattern that allows you to choose between an “apple” or a “pear” shaped pelvis and pair the pelvis part of the pattern with either skinny or straight legs.
I can’t speak to the pear pelvis, but having tested the apple pelvis, I can say that it basically comes with a built-in full-tummy-adjustment (a standard pant/skirt adjustment for me that I was able to skip with this pattern)…sort of like the pant equivalent of having cup sizes!
Cashmerette – Ames Jeans
Closet Case Files – Sasha Trouser
While having been quite popular in RTW for the past few years, patterns for slim-legged cigarette pants aren’t particularly common. Addressing this gap, Closet Case Patterns took the pant block used to draft their ever-popular Ginger jeans and drafted the new Sasha trouser. The Sashas feature a slim fit and have a number of traditional trouser options, including slash front pockets, back welt pockets, and either a cropped or full-length leg. As a fan of this style of pant, I will definitely be giving this pattern a try.
Closet Case Patterns – Sasha Trouser
HotPatterns – Fast & Fabulous Chillaxing Hoodie
Cardigan or hoodie? How about about both in one pattern? HotPatterns’ new Chillaxing Hoodie blends elements of a cardigan (no closures, banded openings) with a hood to give this topper an extra-cosy vibe. I was sold on this the minute that I saw Trudy (from HotPatterns) post her sample garment in the HP Facebook group. Since then, a few other versions have been posted by group members, and they’ve all been super cute–the line drawing hasn’t really done this pattern justice. I’m planning to make my own version soon!
HotPatterns – Fast & Fabulous Chillaxing Hoodie
HotPatterns – Fast & Fabulous Glamour Poncho
Like many of us, I suspect, sometimes I take mental notes when I see another woman whose effortlessly chic style really grabs me. Recently, on the way into my office building, I passed a woman wearing boots, skinny jeans, a drapey poncho, and a scarf. She looked both incredibly cozy and well put-together. Lo and behold, a few days later, an announcement of a new drapey poncho pattern (very similar to what my Style Inspiration was wearing) from HotPatterns shows up in my email inbox. So yeah, I’m a pretty big fan of this, as the similar poncho looked awfully fabulous in-person.
HotPatterns – Fast & Fabulous Glamour Poncho
The new Oakley Vest from Love Notions has a variety of options, if you’re looking to sew a vest. There’s an open-front version, designed for faux fur or minky, and there are two zippered views–one with princess seams and one without. The pattern has options for a hood and patch pockets, too.
Love Notions – Oakley Vest
Paprika Patterns – Ruby Joggers
Have you ever searched for what you thought was a fairly basic pattern, but then had a heck of time finding one that actually has all of the details that you’re picturing in your head? And then, finally, someone releases that pattern? That was the Ruby joggers for me–I’ve been looking for a fairly basic pair of slim-legged joggers with cuffed ankles and pockets for what seems like months. I mean, these are all over RTW right now–I didn’t think it would be too hard to find a pattern for them, but for me, nothing I looked at was exactly what I wanted….until the Rubies came along and even improved on the idea in my mind.
In addition to the slim legs and pockets, the Ruby joggers also have a yoked front with an elastic waistband in the back. I tend to end up with nasty knots in my jogger drawstrings, making them difficult to adjust, so the lack of a drawstring here is a big bonus for me.
Paprika Patterns – Ruby Joggers
While StyleArc didn’t release quite as many clothing patterns in November as they do many months, the ones that they did release are winners, IMO.
Have you noticed that funnel neck sweaters are everywhere right now? With the Winnie (also one of the “freebie” choices for the month if you order directly from StyleArc), you can get StyleArc’s take on this trend. And unlike some of the other patternmakers who offer this style, StyleArc has a very inclusive size range and reliable drafting.
StyleArc – Winnie Knit Top
StyleArc – Carly Aviator Jacket
I think I squee’ed audibly when StyleArc first sent out the announcement for this new jacket pattern. I love this–it’s a perfect cross between a moto jacket and a roomier bomber jacket. And the samples look fabulous made up, IMO. This one is definitely going on my “must have” list.
StyleArc – Carly Aviator Jacket
StyleArc – Blakely stretch jeans
I’m going to confess a secret. After being horrified by the idea as they began to surface a few years ago, I gave pull-on jeans a try, and now I’m hooked. You get the best of both worlds in that you get jean styling with the comfort of a pull-on pant. Even better, the elastic waist eliminates the dreaded back-waist-gap issue that so many of us have. StyleArc already has two styles of pull-on jean in their catalogue (the Misty jean and the Georgie jean), so the new Blakely jean adds a third pull-on jean option to their catalogue.
StyleArc – Blakely pull-on jeans
Victory Patterns – Arima Capsule Collection
There’s good and bad with Victory Patterns’ new Arima collection. The good is that the collection includes some interesting new designs with a lot of options. The bad is that, as has typically been the case with Victory, their sizing isn’t particularly inclusive. I’m including these in my pattern roundup because I know we have a lot of readers on the cusp between misses’ and plus sizes, and those readers will likely fit into the upper range of Victory’s line. (That, and it’s been a slow pattern month…)
Victory Patterns – Esther Pants
These are VERY cool-looking pants. Now, I’m skeptical as to how they would look on my hobbit-esque body, but they sure are nice to look at in the promo pic. Off the top of my head, I can’t think of any similar patterns with pleats like those.
Victory Patterns – Esther pant
Victory Patterns – Frances Top and Dress
Most of us have a favorite knit tee pattern, and most of us have a favorite knit skater dress pattern, but if you don’t, the new Frances from Victory patterns has a tee, cropped tee, and skater dress options available, and within those garment types, a ton of different neckline and sleeve options.
Victory Patterns – Frances top and dress
Victory Patterns – Samara Robe and Cardigan
The Samara Robe and Cardigan is an easy throw-on topper that can be made with either woven or knit fabric. Use either to layer over your Esther pants and Frances top.
Victory Patterns – Samara Cardigan and Robe
Final Thoughts
What did you think of this month’s patterns? We have an unusually high number of new pant patterns this month–unusual in the fact that most indies focus mainly on tops and dresses. I’m not complaining, though–I went a little nuts at the recent Black Friday weekend sales, so a handful of these new patterns are now in my possession…and hopefully, on their way to my sewing queue sometime soon!
Super patterns.I love sewing and have singer stylish.This patterns are just awesome.I liked Esther pants the most.The cut and wrap is really good.Will surely go for it.Also have the same color.
I bought the Winnie Style Arc shirt. I love those funnel necks for workout shirts in the winter. Thanks for the great write-up! I love the pattern round-ups.
Thank You! Really gets my creativity going! :o)
A great post – thank you Michelle! I immediately marched off and order the pull on jeans by StyleArc. Somehow they escaped my notice and they look exactly what I like 🙂
I bought the Carly! I’ll probably make it up in a denim sherpa before I cut into my leather. I too squealed with excitement when I saw it.
Those Esther pants are soooooo cool. I don’t think they’re for me, but man, this 95% skirt wearer suddenly wishes she like wearing pants.
I do not see were you can get the StyleArc – Winnie Knit Top free. How does one do that?
It was a freebie (with purchase of another pattern) for the month of November. The November pattern roundup ran slightly later than usual–there’s a different freebie for December. Sorry about the confusion.
SO much wailing and gnashing of teeth when I realized I was outside of the size range for the Sasha Trouser. :'( I really look forward to seeing them crop (ha ha ha) up in the SBC soon, though! I really hope some curvier ladies make them, as the style inspiration pics pretty much always show women that are decidedly dissimilar from my own body type.
I’m not sure how far outside the size range you are for the Sasha trouser, but I’ve made a few Closet Case patterns and found their ease to be fairly generous at the top of the range. I know there have been a decent number of ladies slightly outside of the range of the Gingers who were able to make the size 20 without an issue. But yeah, I hear you on the annoyance of being out of the size range thing!
Interesting…I’m not that far out of the size range (50″ hips, and it says 48″ for a size 20). I’ll have to give it a try, then, thanks! I’ve been really wanting some cigarette-style trousers for a while now. Fingers crossed!
When I had 52″ hips, I got away with making the size 20 CCF Carolyn Pajama bottoms by simply adding a little more ease via a full tummy adjustment and a full booty adjustment. You could probably get away with something like that without having to full-on grade up a size.