I still meet a lot of people that thinking sewing is dated and what our grandmas used to do. Let me stop you right there, you can sew fashionable garments - even the looks from the High Street. So today's blog post is all about fashion inspirations and which pattern you can use to recreate the look as well as what fabrics would be perfect for it.
So here are 5 current trends sold by popular fashion retailers that you can easily recreate with existing sewing patterns and sew yourself. All sewing patterns featured are from indie pattern designers. As a small business myself, I like to support other small businesses. If you see a pattern or fabric you like, follow the links to purchase it from the designer or fabrics shop.
PS: I am not compensated in any way for your purchase – I am just passionate about supporting other small businesses.
1. That Zara Dress
If you are familiar with the famous #thatzaradress, you will know what I am talking about: high neck, long sleeves and ruffles.
Ready-to-wear look (left): Maxi Dress by Zara
Sewing Pattern (right): Indigo Smock Dress by Tilly and the Buttons (picture taken from Tilly & the Buttons)
You can add another ruffle to the hem to lengthen the pattern and give it #thatzaradress vibe.
Use either light or dark coloured background with ditzy prints, either floral or dots, with lots of drape. Fabrics such as Rayon/Viscose or Tencil work perfect for this look. Here are a few fabrics available on my online fabric shop:
2. Cinched Caftan Maxi Dress
Loads and loads of fabric in this maxi dress and big floaty sleeves - cinched with a thin tie at the waist.
Ready-to-wear look (left): Cinched Caftan by Anthropologie
Sewing Pattern (right): Charlie Caftan by Closet Case Pattern (picture taken from Close Case Pattern)
This Maxi Dress can be very bold with large prints and bright colours. A wide range of fabrics can be used for this pattern: Light to medium weight woven fabrics such as linen, chambray, tencel, linen, silk, chiffon and rayon/viscose. The shorter version of the pattern would also work in a cotton.
3. Cropped pull-on trousers
Comfy and chique. Wear it casual with sandals or dress it up with wedges.
Ready-to-wear look (left): Cropped pull-on trousers by H&M
Sewing Pattern (right): Emerson Pants by True Bias (picture taken from True Bias)
The cropped pull-on trousers can be as bold as the Maxi Dress or as simple as a plain fabric to match it with printed tops. Or imagine these in a striped fabric - maybe tapper the leg a bit. Well, this needs to go on my sewing list now!
Linen Fabrics would be perfect for these trousers. But also Rayon/Viscose would work great for a softer look.
4. Wrap Around Dress with ties
Stylish, yet comfortable - a wrap dress suits many figures and the ties in the front make the dress very trendy.
Ready-to-wear look (left): tie wrap around midi dress by ASOS
Sewing Pattern (right): Kielo Wrap Dress by Named Clothing (picture taken from Named Clothing)
The dress from ASOS is a woven dress in polyester with a zipper in the back, while the Kielo Wrap Dress pattern from Named Clothing is made in a stretchy fabric - more comfort! The pattern needs fabric that has 30-60% stretch. All jersey fabrics on the website have at least 30% to 50% stretch. The pattern would look great in plain but also in a fun print. Check out some of the fabrics available in the online shop:
5. Pinafore Dress
Fun and comfortable for the cooler month. Layer it over Jersey tops and tights, your very trendy high street look is sorted.
Ready-to-wear look (left): Corduroy Pinafore Dress by Mango
Sewing Pattern (right): Cleo Pinafore & Dunagree Dress by Tilly and the Buttons (picture taken from Tilly & the Buttons)
This pinafore dress is great for beginners. It doesn't involve a great deal of fitting, the only challenge will be all the top-stitching. You will need heavy or medium weight woven fabrics that hold their shape, such as denim, corduroy, cotton drill, gabardine, canvas, wool. Unfortunately, I don't carry any of these fabrics but I have seen many different colours in UK shops.
I hope I gave you some great fashion inspiration and showed that sewing can be trendy. If you like this type of blog post, comment below and let me know if you want to receive these type of posts on a monthly basis.
My next project is a combination of ready-to-wear look 1 and 4 - a wrap dress with ruffled tiers. Stayed tuned for that.
Happy Sewing,
Maria