Hard to believe July is nearly done and in the Northern Hemisphere we’ll soon be heading into autumn. Or as we call it here in Florida, Summer 2.0, and this summer has been especially brutal. I moved house at the end of June and it’s been 150 degrees every day since. Almost not kidding. With packing, moving, and UNpacking being my only “leisure” activities for a few months now, there has been zero sewing at Chez Deb. Boo. I can’t wait to get my new sewing space set up and machines humming again. Until then, I’m sewing vicariously through the internet. There are 2-3 new patterns from this roundup catching my eye, but mostly I’m stifling yawns at all the seeming repetition (elastic waist A-line skirts, cropped swing tanks, jumpsuits, oh my!). I’m not saying I don’t like any of these styles; just that I’ve been seeing a LOT of them.
Dresses & Skirts
Athina Kakou Meg Dress – Link / Size Chart (UK 4-28 (US 0-24, EU 32-56)
Meg is a comfortable, elegant, loose-fitting dress and top designed for woven fabrics. Meg comes with 2 variations: a hip-length top and a midi-length dress. Both feature optional turn-up cuffs, a tie belt and belt loops and the neckline is finished with a facing. The dress version also includes optional in-seam pockets.
This pattern looks both fast to sew and comfortable to wear. Both excellent qualities in summer heat. I love that print on the right.
Sew Liberated Estuary Skirt – Link / Size Chart (0-30)
The Estuary Skirt reminds me of many skirts, but that doesn’t stop me from diggin’ the earth-mother hippy-dippy vibe in the photo. I kinda want a flower crown now. And a granola bar.
Friday Pattern Co. Wilder Dress – Link / Size Chart (XS-4X)
I’ll be honest (like that’s a surprise!), when I first saw the Wilder Gown hitting the interwebs, all I could think was granny gown. But as is usually the case with us fiber addicts, if you pair the right fabric with any pattern, you see it differently. This fabric and styling seem to elevate it from Summer of Love to Summer of Style. I still probably won’t make/wear this one since I’m literally old enough to be the granny now, but my mind has shifted about it for others and I’m looking forward to seeing it pop up on social media.
Helen’s Closet Donovan Skirt – Link / Size Chart
The Donovan Skirt is very, very similar to the free Elbe Lawley Skirt I featured in the May Roundup. I loved the Lawley, so I have similar feelings for the Donovan. Well, maybe a little more love for the Donovan but only because I pretty much want everything Helen is wearing. I love a good summer outfit that looks casual and comfy but polished. The Donovan is a beginner sewing pattern that teaches a variety of sewing techniques and results in a beautiful, everyday garment. I know Helen’s Closet instructions are top-notch so if you’re a beginner or just like good instructions, you won’t go wrong plunking down the cash. Hurry, and you’ll catch it on sale until July 29.
Tops
Chalk and Notch Victory Tank – Link / Size Chart (0-24, 2 cup size options)
File this under Seen Something Similar … but yet.… That red, the front straps, and back keyhole are everything on this top. It really elevates it from those similar others, yes? I think I want this one.
Paper Theory Kabuki Tee – Link / Size Chart (6-28)
This is not a brand new pattern but it is more inclusively sized now with UK sizes 6 – 28 (that’s a bust range of 33″ – 56″). The Kabuki Tee is a modern, oversized t-shirt, designed to look relaxed and feel easy to wear in a woven fabric without restricting movement. I like how the seams counter the wide boxy-ness and the crumpled white linen is perfect. I would probably scoop the front neckline more for myself.
Laela Jeyne Lotus Cami – Link / Size Chart (XXS-4X)
The Lotus Cami is FREE but you do have to jump a couple of hoops to get it (provide email address, confirm email address, be on mailing list, etc.) but it could be worth it because there aren’t too many cami bodysuits out in patternland in any size. I did bodysuits in the 70s/80s. This one is cute, but I’m done. I don’t tuck anything in anymore, especially next to the Good China (thank you Project Runway, that will never get old).
Love Notions Melody Dolman – Link / Size Chart
I can see myself making this one because it will easily go from Saturday running errands to Monday back to the office, for many months here in Florida. I’ve been wanting to make more dolman tops ever since my success with the tie-front Cashmerette Cedar Dolman. I have been wearing that top all the time. And cute tie-front detail? Yes, please.
Helen’s Closet Ashton Top – Link / Size Chart
This is another one of those Seen It patterns. Wake me up when we get there. 🙂 It’s cute and all, but I personally don’t do crop tops or too many woven tops. I did check to see if there are different cup options and it appears the smaller range is for a B cup and the larger block is drafted for a D cup.
This one ticks ALL of my boxes. Knit? Check. Not a plain tee? Check. Print mixing possibilities? Check. Ties and/or gathers for interest? Check. Fast cut and sew? Check. Yep, I’ll be buying/making this one, count on it. I love the quasi blousson version modeled above. Very office appropriate if done correctly.
Bottoms
Seamwork Miller Shorts – Link / Size Chart Imperial | Metric
I keep including Seamwork patterns in the roundups because so many of you use them. I have personally never sewn one (just Colette) and only snarked on them. Why stop now? Hah. These shorts look OK, but like the theme this month, I know I’ve seen them before. And paperbag waists don’t match up well with my untucked tops. But hey, for once I don’t really have anything bad to say about a new Seamwork pattern. It’s a heatstroke miracle.
Swimsuits
Rad Patterns Fit to be Tied Swimsuit – Link / Size Chart (XS- 4X, including multiple cup options per size)
I love this suit! That is all.
OK, maybe a little more. It’s got a vintage vibe but feels modern. It’s got so many options. It looks like it will contain bewbs as well as look sexy at the pool/beach. And it’s super cute! (I watch too much Flip or Flop on HGTV and “super cute” is Christina’s catch-phase.)
Jumpsuits/Rompers
DIBY Stevie Jumpsuit/Romper – Link / Size Chart
This definitely has a PJs vibe going on, but every day in the summer heat doesn’t have to be a dress-up day. A breathable knit romper is awesome in the right environment. (Hint: every evening after work.) How cute is that floral up above? I love the waist tie element too.
So, that’s the July Roundup. Personally, I’m glad it’s a bit slower this month. I’m exhausted! 🙂
Thanks for all your work on this Debbie!
Thanks so much for your round up. I’ve just bought the Winter Wear Tee. It’s nice to have a bit of variation in a knit top.
Someone must have heard me. I refer to granny-gown like attire as Wilder Wear. As in Laura Ingalls Wilder. So I laughed, literally, when I saw the Wilder Gown. Don’t get me wrong, I love the look, but at my age someone might mistake me for Tasha Tudor.
I really need to step up my dolman sleeve game. I’ve got one dolman pattern from the ?90s that is a light jacket I’ve made about 50 times in linen, silk, linen, linen, silk, linen. The perfect warm weather jacket. I really like the Kabuki Tee. Not really minding the crop top trend here. I just made an Anne Klein back button sort of “cropped” shorter shirt (V1822) and paired it with the HP Lantern Skirt. A great summer set. The Melody Dolman looks like it comes together really fast, so I’ll probably get that and the Kabuki.
Great round-up, love seeing what’s new out there. I also love those hippie colors and full skirts. 🙂
You’re hilarious and I loved this pattern round up. I’ve made the Melody and it makes all my Dirty Dancing/Stranger Things dolman dreams come true.
I’ve already made the Melody Dolman from Love Notions and it’s a fast sew and super cute. It’s got a full bust piece included, so I got away with not doing a FBA despite the considerable difference in my high and full bust. Much as I love knits, a woven blouse that buttons over my magnificent bosom is a wonderful thing to have.
Glad you aren’t really in 150 degree weather down there. Up here, in Albany, NY, we get much into the upper 80s and we are dying. Cannot imagine being in Florida in the summer.
Thank you for the comments on the different patterns. I was feeling bad that I don’t feel attracted to Seamwork patterns. I think you hit it on the head, they just aren’t my style. Having always been long in the torso and short in the legs (according to standard patters and RTW), so nothing stays tucked in and jump suits, body suits, and any one-piece bathing suit that’s not super stretchy all are too short. Now that I’m a bit older and heavier, I have the added problem of things fitting around my apple abdomen and tree trunk thighs.
Again, Thanks for your column!!
Thanks Lorrie. The few couple of years I was in Florida, I was dying. But you actually do get used to it and now, after almost 30 years, I get cold if the temps fall below 70. I like that Seamwork seems to be targeted to newer sewists because attracting new sewists and keeping them is a good thing for all of us. I don’t even mind that Seamwork’s patterns aren’t always my jam. I just hope they continue to improve the drafting so those that do sew with the patterns avoid potential landmines.
Ugh gawd! Why do pattern companies think we chubsters need another top/dress without bust shaping and another shirt/shorts with a garbage bag drawstring? Thanks, but naw.
I think styles right now are on the boxy/shapeless side of things all around. Hopefully, that tide will shift and then we’ll be “complaining” about the next thing. Haha! Thanks for reading!
Thanks for the round up, I was puzzling over how to make a selected shift dress a bit fancier and am now going to incorporate the victory cami neckline details, problem solved!
It’s so hot here in The UK that I went braless with a full slip insted because I couldn’t face underwired sweaty boobs. I’m currently melting away in an old sarong! Your round up cheered me up, thanks.
Thanks for your comment. It’s amazing how the small details can really make a big change. That’s one reason I did feature that red cami top … so similar to others, yet it also stands alone.