Winter Pattern Roundup

Happy New Year! Happy New Pattern Roundup! After reading the CSC Poll Results, I threw caution to the wind and volunteered to take over this column. I volunteered because I love patterns. I love pattern roundups. And I love this spot where both come together for curvy sewists. But I would be remiss if I did not first sincerely thank former Rounder-Uppers Michelle and Jessica. After compiling patterns and photos for just this first post, I already know it’s not an easy task.

A few caveats before I dive into my first Roundup:

First, this is never going to be a comprehensive list of each and every pattern released in a given month or season. As alluded to above and in the Poll Results, putting a Roundup together does take a lot of time. And, I’m human, with life obligations. Which means I’m probably going to miss things from time to time. If you have a favorite curvy pattern or pattern designer that I’ve missed, tell me about it/them in the comments and I promise I’ll check them out.

Second, I’m going to try really hard to skew on the side of curvy models. I know I’ll have to also include lower-size models because there’s patterns out there that are just too good to leave off a Roundup, but we (Editors and Contributors) have heard your desire for Moar!! Curvy Models!! If I can’t find a model on the pattern designer’s website, I’m going to reach out to bloggers and Instagrammers for permission, like I did for this post. But also keep in mind that being inclusive means including every body. Literally. And, that’s my goal.

Third, I’m planning to do monthly Roundups after this one but as I try to catch up from the last Roundup post, I’ve decided to go with a Northern Hemisphere-slanted “Winter” theme to get things rolling. No offense meant to the Southern Hemisphere. Heck, where I live (Florida), it’s pretty much summer all year long so I can relate to feeling seasonally opposite.

And, finally, even though I’ve got very thick internet skin (and have also donned my Kevlar knickers after clicking Publish), please keep in mind that everyone here at the CSC is doing their best, everyone is a volunteer, and everyone is happy to receive constructive comments and criticisms. The key word being constructive. So, I look forward to your suggestions and recommendations and I’ll do my best to reply timely to comments on these Roundup posts. Please do your best to keep it friendly. #MomNag

So, in no particular order, here we go …

Megan Nielson Wattle Skirt
Megan Nielsen patterns have recently added additional sizing of up to “Curve Size 30,” which is 56-48-58″ (142-11-147 cm). The Curve range is drafted for a D bust. Click here for the Megan Nielsen size chart. The Curve size range is only available in PDF and I think currently there are no Curvy models on her website. But, Lilli from Frocks & Frou Frou made up a Wattle which I love, and blogged about it here. I’ve been following Lilli’s blog/Insta for a looooong time. She’s adorable. And she hasn’t always been a sewist, so it’s been fun to watch her skills grow. I’m definitely going to be getting this pattern because I’ve always liked hidden pocket closures like the Wattle has and because this is a classic that will be perfect for my office environment as well as more casual settings, depending on fabric and hem length. I’m also reasonably certain this will be a quick sew.

Megan Neilsen Patterns

Frocks & Frou Frou

Cashmerette Pembroke
It looks like we have another Cashmerette hit. I’ve been seeing lots of Pembroke dresses and tunics popping up all over the interwebs. The tie front is really hot right now and it’s nice to be able to jump on the engine of the trend train instead of catching it at the caboose end of things. (Yeah, metaphors aren’t really my talent.) Two of my favorite Pembrokes are from Kristina and CSC Editor Michelle. When the Pembroke was first released, I thought it would fit narrower in the upper chest than the Concord. I wasn’t going on anything but a feeling when comparing the line drawings, but Michelle confirmed what I was thinking and says she got a better fit with the Pembroke. Don’t you love that purple stripey goodness?

Cashmerette Patterns

Plum Kitchen

Michelle (I grabbed this off Pinterest!)

Helen’s Closet Elliot Sweater 

Helen’s Closet

Helen’s Closet

Greenstyle Creations Power Sports Bra 
This is a new-to-me pattern company but they caught my eye with all the size and design options for the new Power Sports Bra and the tester photos on so many different bodies. Greenstyle also has lots of other sizing inclusive athletic patterns, so you can make leggings/joggers to match! I’ve promised myself to make a yoga effort this year, which will be in the comfort of my own home via YouTube. But I have 3 hairy dogs and most athletic wear in my size is black. You do the math. I can see making myself athletic wear that won’t show all the dog hair. (New slogan? Athletic Wear No Dog Hair!)

Greenstyle Creations

Greenstyle Creations

Greenstyle Creations

Style Arc

Patterns 4 Pirates Naughty Nice + Sugar Spice PJs 
These are some of the sexiest long johns I’ve ever seen! So many makes were popping up all over my Facebook feed the weeks leading up to Christmas that I’m thinking there may be a little population boom say, next September? P4P has always been size inclusive and generates a lot of excitement in its community so I understand their popularity. I think this pattern fills a gap in the market nicely and should keep you non-Floridians in the frozen tundra nice and toasty! Size chart here.

Patterns 4 Pirates

Patterns 4 Pirates

Patterns 4 Pirates

Are you still with me? We’re only about halfway through the Roundup. Not kidding.

Deer and Doe Magnolia Dress
Deer and Doe straddles the edge of extended sizing (read: not really THAT extended) but you gotta admit that this Magnolia dress was MADE for curves, yes? That’s Jen from Sewing and Slapdashery in the Emerald Velvet version. Gorgeous dress, gorgeous photo! So much nicer than my own work bathroom selfies. If you haven’t visited Jen’s blog, go take a look. She is very talented with the words as well as the thread and she cracks me up every time. The Magnolia comes in sizes 34-46 (printed)  and 34-52 (PDF). Click the title link to get to the size chart page at Deer and Doe.

Sewing and Slapdashery

Deer and Doe

Deer and Doe

And I couldn’t leave off the Myosotis Dress that everyone jumped on. Everyone but me. I’m not a tiered ruffle or shirtdress girl, but I have seen some Myosotises that tempt me. Myosotises is a word.

Deer and Doe

Deer and Doe

Ottobre Woman 05/2018
I’ve been giving myself a pep talk for tracing because I really like some (most) patterns in the last few issues of Ottober Woman, and historically Ottobre has fit my curves very well. I’ve been using an Ottober tee from 2007 as my TNT block from which I judge all other knit tops if that says anything. Still, I do wish they’d move into PDFs so I could avoid the tracing. My eyes aren’t what they used to be. Ottobre is one of the original pattern designers to use models of different sizes, colors, and ages and their pattern magazines have always been eye candy because of it. All of their patterns now come in the whole size range (size chart below). I have a few favorites in this release, but I especially like the faux wrap dress. I included the coat because I love that 80s shape and am thinking one of you can make it and actually get some wear from it. But whatever she’s walking up is making me dizzy.

Ottobre Design

Ottobre Design

Ottobre Design

Ottobre Design

Just as we were going to “print” with this Roundup, CSC Editor Megan blogged about her finished Ottobre Lozenge Wrap Dress, which is exactly the dress I featured above. Kismet, Karma, and all that. Megan’s dress looks great and confirms that I definitely need to make this. You can read Megan’s review of this pattern on her blog, The Green Violet, here.

The Green Violet

Jalie Yoko 
Jalie’s holiday gift was this free Yoko. Who doesn’t love FREE? This looks like a no-brainer, easy-to-fit, warm and snuggly top for those frigid temperatures I’ve heard about. Jalie always includes SO MANY sizes in each pattern. You can check out the sizing chart in PDF form for the Yoko here.

Jalie

Jalie

Seamwork

I was going to include some patterns I just recently ordered from the Big 4’s recent Butterick release, but as I was writing this up, I realized that the sizing for what I purchased SUCKS. So, no. This was getting long enough anyway.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it. My first Roundup of hopefully many. Rumor has it I may be getting a partner in crime for these Roundups, so fingers crossed because two heads/patternaholics are better than one.