New pattern releases!!!

Hello, hello!

It is a long time since I released any new patterns (over a year), but I have been working slowly on things behind the scenes and this week saw the release of a new coat pattern and a new dress pattern. So just like the saying goes, no patterns for ages and then two come along at once...

First up is the Isca shirtdress. This is a design that is probably the most badly timed in terms of aaaall the shirtdress patterns that have been released this year, ha, but one that has been on my mind for the longest time. When I set up my pattern company I really wanted to reproduce a dress I drafted from a mens shirt block. It had a draped front so the button placket was skewed and flopped to the side. I wore it until it fell apart so was a dream dress, but as time has gone by some of the elements felt a bit dated. Below is my more up to date interpretation of that design and it has two very different views of the same bodice.

View A is a loose fitting dress with bust shaping and a close fit at the shoulders. There is a diagonal princess seam detail which is a bit lost in the sample print, but hopefully more visible in my blue version below. It has some really nice features in the roomy pockets and shoulder reinforcements.

View B is a draped front dress which gets tied to one side to create a wrap effect. The princess seam lines are still present as is the shoulder detail, but the silhouette is much sleeker. It's a great dress to wear if you favour a closer look, but still has the ease from the front wrap to make it incredibly comfortable. The back is fitted with back darts and the curved hem and patch pockets reference traditional shirt details. I shall share a version of this dress next week I made in a drapey tencel denim fabric from Blackbird fabrics. It is so gloriously soft and I wear it probably 3 out 7 days a week!

Note: All fabrics for the dresses (the grey was hand painted by me) are no longer available! :-(

This dress pattern speaks to me so much I can't even tell you. I have forgotten that I have any other clothes in my wardrobe I wear my versions so much! This is exactly how I felt when I released the Roberts collection, so I'm hoping you all feel the same way about it too!

Next up is the Honetone coat. This is just a very simple shape coat with a kimono sleeve. I went through loads of different ideas, but ended with this. I just wanted something clean and really well made. View A is a fully lined wool coat with some simple tailoring. I feel with coats that everyone has a preferred method. Mine is to hand sew the main fabric and lining hems. If you prefer to bag out the lining then you can totally do that, but the instructions are written with hand sewing in mind (just to let you know). View B is a great unlined denim jacket with loads of detail packed in via the topstitching. You can skip all the topstitching if it's not something you enjoy and still have a great jacket!

Mint coat fabric from Fabworks here.
Denim jacket fabric from Merchant and Mills here.

The wool coat (view A) can have both pocket options if you wish. It's probably better to select a fabric which is not too bulky if this is your plan as the inserted top pockets can be challenging on bulkier fabrics. Do not stress though, just test on some fabric scraps first if you have some spare. Here is a pink version I made from this gorgeous double faced twill weave wool from Fabworks. Such a good quality fabric!

I have had to chop my head off because as you can see below I look grumpy as anything! I don't know why. I'm happy, I promise. I just released some patterns...

There are printed versions of both patterns available in the shop for now. I have started printing A4 booklets that are really easy to read and follow and I really love how they turned out. You can also find FBA instructions for the shirtdress in the booklet.

Anyway, there's quite a lot for you to digest and I hope you like my new designs. Can't wait to see versions popping up. x