This is the fifth instalment of ready-to-wear trends that you can sew and recreate yourself. If you haven't read the other posts yet, click on the category 'Sew the Trends' above.
I looked up a variety of sewing patterns and trends online and found a good mix of trends that call 'summer ready'. With the heat knocking at our doors, I am thinking loose-fitted dresses & blouses and linen.
So here are 5 current trends sold by popular fashion retailers that you can easily recreate with existing sewing patterns and sew yourself at home. 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. Jump on the jumpsuit bandwagon
Jumpsuit have been popular for a while and there are already many different patterns for jumpsuits and boilersuits available.
Ready-to-wear look (left): Belted Jumpsuit by Marks & Spencer
Sewing Pattern (right): Yari Jumpsuit by True Bias
Use Medium weight woven fabrics such as linen, chambray, silk noil, and rayon challis.. Here are a few fabrics available on my online fabric shop:
2. Asymmetrical Button Front
Love the wrap dress and off centre button placket trend. Choosing the right buttons can be the most difficult decision when sewing a shirt dress.
Ready-to-wear look (left): wrap midi dress by Blend She
Sewing Pattern (right): Lliria Dress by Pauline Alice
The recommended fabrics are lightweight such as cotton lawn, rayon, crepe, linen or silk.
3. Kimono-style jacket to cover up
It can be great for the beach but also in the mall - we all know how cool the malls are and having a little cover-up with you, is quite handy. This will also be the update for one of my advanced courses.
Ready-to-wear look (left): Kimono in floral print by Simply Be
Sewing Pattern (right): Sylvia Robe by Sew Over It
I recommend lightweight woven fabrics with lots of drape, such as rayon, viscose, georgette and lightweight crepes, and they can be sheer. For more beginner stitchers, it would also look lovely in a lightweight cotton such as lawn or voile.
4. Popover Blouse with ties
This popover blouse will be your go-to for effortless summer style. Loose-fitted and in the right fabric, it will be your wardrobe staple this summer.
Ready-to-wear look (left): Long Sleeve Blouse by Marks & Spencer
Sewing Pattern (right): Roscoe Blouse by True Bias
Lightweight, woven fabrics with movement such as cotton voile, rayon challis, crepe de chine, lightweight linen, and gauze.
5. Cute tea dresses with statement sleeves
Did you see the first episode of the latest season of the Great British Sewing Bee? They sewed up some tea dresses in the made-to-measure challenge and some gorgeous dresses were made. I recently discovered the joy of sleeve hacking ... you can sew some lovely sleeve statement pieces to give a simple dress that little extra.
Ready-to-wear look (left): Tea dress with tie sleeve and button front by ASOS
Sewing Pattern (right): Pleiades 1 dress by French Poetry
Double gauze (ideal), cotton crepe, poplin or viscose… Soft fabrics with a bit of structure work well or lighter fabrics can be used too. Different weights will achieve different looks. Any of the above rayon and cotton fabrics can be used.
I hope I gave you some great fashion inspiration. If you have a dress or garment from a ready-to-wear shop that you would like to sew, comment below and I will try my best to find a matching sewing pattern for you.
Happy Sewing,
Maria