July was a somewhat slow month for pattern releases. Like the rest of us, pattern designers also go on vacation, and I’ve heard anecdotally from some designers that summer tends to be a slow time for pattern sales. In any case, we did get a handful of new releases, including some nice dress patterns.
Colette Patterns – Penny Dress
Former darling of the indie pattern world Colette has released their first new non-Seamwork pattern in about a year (the first since the ill-fated Rue dress). I feel like I shouldn’t like this, but I do. But then again, I’m a shirtdress junkie. Yes, the blue sample has issues with sewing quality, but overall, I think that both views are cute designs, and I would wear both of them. So yeah, I bought this with the 25% discount code I had for being on their mailing list. You can never have too many shirtdress patterns, right? Right?
Colette – Penny dress
Designer Stitch – Ella Cami Set
The somewhat deceptively named Ella Cami set isn’t just a simple cami pattern; it’s a summer pajama or loungewear set consisting of a cami top and sleep/lounge shorts or pants. Unlike similar offerings by Grainline Studio or BurdaStyle, the offering from Designer Stitch actually has fairly inclusive sizing–up to a 52″/130 cm bust.
Designer Stitch – Ella Cami Set
Designer Stitch – Ravanna Wrap Pants
I’ve been seeing an increase in wrap-style pants showing up in my sewing social media feeds. BurdaStyle puts out this style of pattern from time to time, but this is one of the first non-Burda takes I’ve seen on this style. The tulip hem is cute, and you get the style of a skirt and ease-of-wear of pants, but without the volume of culottes.
Designer Stitch – Ravanna Wrap Pant
HotPatterns – Xanadu Soft Jacket
A few weeks ago, HotPatterns released their Xanadu soft Jacket pattern–a very versatile jacket pattern that can be made in a number of fabrics, including Ponte, and either dressed up or down depending on your fabric choice and option trims or topstitching. The Xanadu jacket gets its shaping from paneled seams and Dior darts. I like that this jacket could be a different twist on a denim jacket, or, if made in a ponte, can easily be an office-appropriate alternative to a cardigan for layering when dealing with office air conditioning.
HotPatterns – Xanadu Jacket
HotPatterns – Fast & Fabulous Faux-Wrap Skirt
I love the idea of wrap skirts, but with the windy weather that we often have in Seattle, they’re just not practical a lot of the time. The new faux-wrap skirt from HotPatterns solves this problem by sealing the underwrap into the side seam. I love the look of this skirt for summer, and it’s versatile enough that it can be made up in either a drapey woven or in a knit.
HotPatterns – Faux Wrap Skirt
As seems to often be the case, McCalls has put out the most appealing (to my own tastes) collection for Early Fall 2017.
M7624 – Misses’ Banded Dress with Sleeve and Length Options
With its fit-and-flare shape and fun detail options, I can’t see M7624 not being popular with curvy sewists. Banded necklines like this one were popular ~10 years ago, and based on the fact that we’ve started seeing an upswing in these, I’d say they’re on the cusp of becoming popular again. This is one that I will definitely be picking up at the next McCall’s sale.
M7624 – Misses’ banded dresses
M7625 – Misses’ Dresses, Belt, Romper, and Jumpsuit with Pockets
Geez, these are all ridiculously cute. I realize that I’m too suburban-mom to pull off most of these looks, but I think they’re way fun. My 22-year-old self would have been all over these–I mean, overalls and shortalls with dart shaping? Yes, please. These look like a great way to jump on the overall trend without looking like you’re trying to imitate Rachel from Friends.
M7626 – Misses’ Dresses, Belt, Jumpsuit, and Romper with Pockets
Many, many of you have made and loved McCall’s 6696 shirtdress pattern. Almost as many of you have had issues with poofiness in the back of this dress. M7623 is very similar to M6696 but appears to be an effort to “fix” the poofiness problem, and also offers a few different sleeve and skirt options. Like M6696, it also offers different cup sizes (up to a D-cup) for the bodice.
M7623 – Misses’ shirtdresses
Lagenlook pattern designer Pearl Red Moon has a new pieced tee pattern out–the Aurana tee. With all of the seaming here, there are a lot of possibilities for colorblocking, playing with stripe direction, or even inserting trim.
Pearl Red Moon – Aurana tee
Seamstress Erin – Ultraviolet Tee
If you’re looking for an easy, boxy tee with cup size options, Seamstress Erin recently released her Ultraviolet tee. It has two different hem lengths and different pieces for A-C and D-F bust cup sizes. (The larger cup sizes include a dart or gathers for a built-in FBA.) You can use either a knit or a drapey woven for this pattern.
Seamstress Erin – Ultraviolet tee
StyleArc debuted a revamped website earlier this month, with a cleaned up, updated user interface. And, as they do every month, they debuted a few new patterns, too.
StyleArc – Quinn Woven Top + Skirt Combo
Also available for purchase as separates, the Quinn top and skirt is a coordinated outfit consisting of a boxy, paneled top and a paneled, asymmetrical skirt. This is cute, but it isn’t really my style. I bet some of our readers would rock this look, though!
StyleArc – Quinn Woven top and skirt
One of the two freebie options for this month (the other being the older Pleated Polly top pattern), the Sia Knit dress is a simple sleeveless shift dress with bust darts and v-necks in the front and back. There are welts in the sample photo and line drawing, but the StyleArc website does not mention if these are functional pockets or not; however, with a rating of “easy”, I’d guess that they’re simply a design feature.
StyleArc – Sia Knit Dress
My favorite pattern out of the July batch for StyleArc is the Lacey Dress. The Lacey is a simple pullover dress that can be made in either a drapey woven or a knit. This sort of cute, throw-on-and-go dress is totally my jam in the warm summer months. With the gathered skirt, it’s got a bit of a Moneta vibe to it, but hey, I loved my Monetas until I got sick of wearing them. Think of how fun this would be made up in a pretty rayon challis!
StyleArc – Lacey Dress
Final Thoughts
What were your favorites this month? Outside of the HotPatterns faux-wrap skirt, my favorites were very dress-centric–McCall’s, StyleArc, and even Colette. And I guess the follow-up question to ask for that is, “Can you have too many shirtdress patterns?” (My personal answer is “no”.)
I love the neckline on that HP jacket!
M6996 did not work for me and I felt personally offended. LOL! I, she who makes zero muslins, made TWO and tweaked the 2nd one quite a bit so let’s say 2.5…it was awful! I made S8014 though and it was perfection, so there’s that.
I literally just bought a RTW loungewear set Ella. Those shorts are extra long but that’s an easy fix. I may have to watch for reviews of that one!
I love the Xanadu jacket, and the wrap skirt. However…the ultraviolet tee looks just like what I used to freehand when I was younger….I’m not sure what justifies the $14 price?
The M7623 pattern looks great. I’ve been looking for a long calf-ankle length shirt dress pattern and ended up buying a vintage Vogue on Etsy a few weeks ago. And no you can’t have too many shirt dress patterns! I’ll pick up 7623 if/when it’s on sale. 🙂 I’m definitely getting the Xanadu jacket, the SO signed us up for a season of ACT in San Francisco, so I can make a few jackets to wear with my LBDs this fall. Thanks for a great detailed round-up!
Thanks so much for the round up! That M7624 is just what I’ve been looking for. I knew it was a flattering style on me but didn’t know how to search for a pattern like that. I’m new to sewing and have only done a few indie patterns so far, but this is giving me the push I need to branch out. Thanks again!
Does anyone have a Lacey dress sewn? I’d love to see it.
I had a dress exactly like the Lacey in the mid 80s- my mum made it for me. Long gone, but great summer wear!
Love these! I’m definitely making the Ravana pants. I am going to buy the Xanadu jacket, and Style Arc Lacey dress . (hacking/making the dress sleeveless) I bought the M7623 (scarf hemmed shirt dress) cut out, and from the Fall collection. From that collection I also bought the M7625. I love a drop waist. My paternal G was curvy and wore them in the 20s. (of course I hated them in the 90s but love them now- LOL!)
Anyhoo- If too many patterns are released I can’t stay focused! ;o)
Right now trying to sew for my 5′ 3″ tall 13 year old boy. Trying to sew something fashionable. I’ve reverted to vintage patterns. There’s nothing for teen boys!
Happy Sewing everybody! :o)
I’ve actually sewn two patterns based on these reviews. You have a good eye and I appreciate your inclusion of the Big 4. I love indie patterns too but I also love that, when on sale I can grab 4 patterns for $10!
I love shirt dresses but am so nervous about all those buttons! I did make the Simplicity one with the handkerchief hemyou reviewed two months ago and it came out nice but it only has 3 buttons! ;))
Thanks
I love this series! Thanks for continuing to keep us updated.
Hello!
Is there a trick (or a coupon code) to apply to get the free patterns? I tried to get the v neck knit dress pattern download (which says its a freebie but it charges $12.00 in the cart. I appreciate any help you can offer. Thanks so much!!
Are you talking about the StyleArc patterns?
If so, when you place an order on the StyleArc website (you have to use their website), add whatever paid pattern(s) you want to the cart. Do not add the freebie to the cart. As part of the checkout process, there should be a “note” box. In the note box, specify which pattern and which size you want for the freebie. No coupon code needed!
HTH!
With the new website, activating the freebie has changed. Add to your cart and the price will show. Below the cart is a section called coupons or similar. Click on the freebie coupon and it applies the discount.