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Perfect Shirt PDF Sewing Pattern 551 for Palazzo Trousers
I can't remember when I bought this gorgeous fabric. It was obviously one of those spontaneous buys with no plan as to what it would make. I try not to do that these days! But I'm glad I kept it and look what it made. I ended up lining it though and perhaps a more delicate lining woud have retained its lovely floaty property but I used the lining I had - very much my mantra. I'm determined to reduce all my stock of fabric and from now on shop for fabric that fits with my current mood and interest. Although I have to say, I have never had a large 'stash', as everyone calls it these days. I don't like being confronted with fabric and ideas that I liked in the past.
March 2025
Palazzo Trousers Sew Along update ....
The Palazzo Trousers Sew Along is now available. It is over 40 minutes long - is this too long? I had to include some high speed clips otherwise it would have run into hours! I would love to have your feedback on whether you would prefer a more leisurely pace spread over several separate videos, the way I have produced them in the past.
Here is the video finished!
February Update ....
The Sew Along garment is complete. I am working hard to finish the editing of the video. This has taken a little while because of the detail I go into and I know that it is appreciated by beginner sewers. Many of you have downloaded this pattern and of course my PDF Instructions are comprehensive. I am also getting some great pictures of the finished trousers. See the Palazzo Trousers Pattern Page.
February 2025
Palazzo Trousers Sew Along
Finally I have started filming the sew along for this very popular pattern. I have been looking forward to opening this package. It contains bubble wash corduroy from Croft Mill. I'm excited as I'm matching it with a length of devoure fabric I have had for many years which goes perfectly. I just hope I have enough to make a shirt! To be continued ......
January 2025
951 The Cropped Palazzo Trousers
Another great all year round sewing pattern. I have made this pattern up in a medium weight denim to start with. How can you beat denim for trying things out? It's cheap and so very wearable. I say to myself, no more denim but it's more popular than ever in the fashion press. What do I reach for first thing in the morning? Invariably it's something in denim - it's comfortable, it goes with nearly everything in the way of accessories - shirts, t-shirts, woollen jumpers, sweatshirts, waistcoats. The list is endless. You can throw it in the wash and often it doesn't even need a press. What other fabric improves the more you wear and wash it? I'm not sure if I can think of any.
For the construction I am using classic seams - neatened edges and pressed open but you could just as well top-stitch everything, jeans style or use felled seams.
My intention was to half line the front section. I like to do this whenever there are front pleats to stop them spreading and the lining keeps everything in check. On trying on halfway through and thinking about how I would wear these trousers, more than llkely over tights, I concluded that a full lining to just below the knee would be a great benefit. Silky tights are fine but matt and cosy winter tights hinder the nice cut of these trousers. You want them to be free moving. You can make them unlined if you prefer of course, especially when it comes to making them up for summer.
Not everyone wants to tackle welt pockets, especially if you a running these up for perhaps beachwear, so you can make them without the back pockets or add easy patch pockets - I have included them in the pattern.
We all need to keep active these days and I feel the palazzo trousers fits that lifestyle. More femine than wearing jeans everyday and yet practical enough to wear for fitness and exercise. I hate having to change clothes to keep fit! See the Palazzo Trousers Pattern Page
December 2024
682 The Raglan Sleeve Jacket with Storm Collar
Watch the video series I released during the designing and making up of this popular pattern. Follow the progress over the eight days of making this very wearable jacket.
Four years ago I made plans to use up fabric I had stored away for far too long. What a wasted resource. I made the Frock Coat from the furnishing brocade. I made the Boxy Jacket from my scant 1 metre of Harris Tweed. But I never got around to this lovely loose weave bold check. I was thinking at the time of a big coat or jacket with a generous shawl collar but after looking at this fabric again, I decided it would be too overwhelming. So to bring you up to date, I developed this Raglan Sleeve Jacket. It has a Storm Collar which buttons up high to keep you cosy.
I made it three quarter length with deep raglan sleeves for comfort. It has welt pockets at the hip line. I left the cuff plain or you could add a button but a cuff vent would have been too difficult on this looses weave. I found perfect buttons. They are bold and wooden. I'm so pleased to have made good use of this gorgeous yardage.
The storm collar converts to a nice open style that looks good with a polo neck. A jacket like this goes really well with jeans or a pencil skirt and especially well with the Cropped Palazzo Trousers. In the 60s we used to call this car coat length. I bought this fabric very many years ago and now I am loving wearing it. Cutting this bold weave on the cross was a stroke of genius as it adds extra interest. I was pleased that the pattern did in fact fit diagonally across the width. I already had lining that matches and fits in with my use it up policy. I used light weight non woven interfacing and only interfaced the collar, button band, cuffs and the pocket welts. I wanted the jacket itself to remain soft.
Once I was ready to start, I had to decide whether to use the right side or the wrong side? Both equally interesting. Watch the series to see the work flow from rough sketch to the final photos. See The Raglan Sleeve Jacket Pattern Page
November 2024
The Best Selvedge Jeans PDF Sewing Pattern M983
Update! I should tell you that many women love making these Selvedge Jeans for themselves
I wear these jeans with no adaptation. They are an easy fit rather than my other jeans pattern - 948 - which is slim cut. I have plenty of guys making up the slim cut style.
Sizing - I suggest women go by the equivalent women's sizing as follows - the men’s chart starts at 26” which is equivalent to the women’s UK size 6. So each size is roughly equivalent up to the 42” which is equivalent to women’s UK size 22. The selvedge jeans go one step further to 44” which would be equivalent to a women’s size 24.
Measuring the actual jeans pattern, there is about 1” ease on the waistband (the waistband sits about 2" below natural waist) and just a little over 1” ease at the hip on all sizes. I am planning to add actual pattern measurement to my patterns in the future as this is often requested. See The Jeans Pattern Page
October 2024
