New pattern in collaboration with Peppermint Magazine : The Pleated Summer dress

Yay! New pattern time! With the warmer weather here (at least here in Sydney), it's time for you to see the new pattern I made in collaboration with Peppermint Magazine for their most recent issue. I absolutely loved making this sample - I got to use a beautiful blush linen from The Fabric Store, and it was fun to make something a little more advanced than the things I've been sewing lately. 

THE DETAILS

The Pleated Summer Dress is a relaxed and boxy style dress, with a pleated skirt. It features a button placket, with hidden buttons, bias bound armholes and neckline, bust darts and a back yoke.

Through the creation of this garment you will gain confidence in:

• sewing with woven fabrics
• sewing darts
• sewing pleats
• sewing a button placket

I'd encourage you to use a fabric that is soft and drapes well. Consider using light to mid-weight fabrics such as: linen, linen blends, cotton, gauze or chambray. For a softer silhouette, consider sateen, silk (crepe de chine or habotai), tencel or viscose (rayon). 

The other thing that's very exciting about this issue of Peppermint Magazine is that there's a story about me and my business in it! Grab a copy if you'd like to have a read!

To see more of the patterns I've created in collaboration with Peppermint Magazine, head over to the shop. 

Go ahead! Grab the pattern, as always it's a freebie!

New pattern : Introducing the Collins Top

I am so excited to be here telling you all that my new pattern is here! Meet the Collins Top -  a loose-fitting trapeze-shaped top designed for woven fabrics. 

The Collins top is It is A-line in shape, perfect for hot summer days. It features a round neck, panel lines, a high-low hem and a centre-back opening, with a button and loop closure.

Due to its length, the Collins Top is the perfect top to pair with skirts or trousers that sit on or above the natural waist.

As always, this pattern is available in 10 sizes, from bust 76cm (30in) - 131cm (51.5in).

What I am most excited about when it comes to the Collins Top is that I designed this pattern specifically for beginners. Okay, I know, I know, there are a lot of pattern pieces and panel lines (I really can't help myself, can I?), but I believe that if you have mastered sewing a straight seam and a curved seam, you can make the Collins. Also, due to the loose nature of the top, there are not too many fitting issues to worry about (possibly just a full bust adjustment), which makes it even more beginner friendly! And, although I designed it specifically for beginners, it does not mean that you more seasoned stitchers won't enjoy it too. It is a really fun pattern to sew up, and lots of room to play! 

View A

The Collins top (view A) has a three-piece raglan sleeve with some extra volume, which creates a fun and interesting shape. Due to the nature of a raglan sleeve, there is no sleeve setting in required (it is all done flat), so it comes together really quickly and easily. 

The neckline is finished with bias binding.

As you can see in this sample, this pattern leaves a lot of room for playing with stripes (or colour blocking), which really highlights the panel lines in the design. As I knew this was something a lot of you would get excited about, I created a little template that you can download for free and experiment with your ideas of colour blocking and stripe direction, before cutting into your fabric. Download it now. 

View B

The Collins top (view B) is sleeveless and the neckline and armholes are finished with an all-in-one facing for a really clean and professional finish. 

The Collins top is compatible with a range of different fabrics. Your choice of fabric will dictate the silhouette you achieve. Consider using light to mid-weight fabrics such as: linen, linen blends, cotton, gauze or chambray. For a softer silhouette, consider sateen, silk (crepe de chine or habotai) or viscose (rayon). These two versions were made from cotton, so I can't wait to share all the tester versions next week, so you can see the range of silhouettes you can achieve with this pattern!

Learn more about the pattern and grab your copy here. 

What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts about the new member of the In the Folds pattern family. 

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New pattern in collaboration with Peppermint Magazine : The pleated skirt

I am excited to let you all know that I have just released another pattern in collaboration with Peppermint Magazine! It's a pleated skirt, which features stitched down knife pleats, slanted pockets (that are deep enough to keep your hands nice and snug and your belongings nice and safe), shaped waistband, invisible zip and a hem facing.

I must say, this is my favourite of all the patterns so far. I didn't think I was one to wear this kind of style / silhouette, but once the sample was made up, I really didn't want to give it away! The fabric I used was a beautiful linen / cotton blend from The Drapery (a lovely little fabric retailer based in South Australia, with a great online store), which made it even harder to part with.

It's a little hard to see all the details with the busy print, so here is the technical drawing, to give you a better idea of what's involved. I have rated it as an advanced beginner pattern, as it's quite a straight-forward sew, with only your waist to fit!

You can download the pattern for free from the Peppermint Magazine website. As a bonus, for the first time I have also made the pattern available in A0 format for copy shop printing, as I know how much you all like that feature!

While you're on the Peppermint Magazine website, you may also want to check out the other patterns I have made for the magazine over the past 12 months. I made the Beach Cover-up pattern for summer, the Peplum Top pattern in spring (which has been a favourite for many) and the Sweater Dress pattern last winter. All patterns are available for free!

Get the Pleated Skirt pattern now. 

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New Pattern : The Beach Coverup - in collaboration with Peppermint Magazine

It just ticked over into Summer here in the Southern Hemisphere and I'm celebrating the turn of season with the release of a new pattern in collaboration with Peppermint Magazine!

If you have been following my blog this year, you would have seen the Sweater Dress we released together in Winter and then the Peplum Top that followed in Spring. And the best bit is, you can download them all for free! 

The Beach Cover-up is a simple summer kaftan with a comfortable and relaxed fit, perfect for hot summer days on the beach.

It features a scooped neck, high-low hem and an optional waist tie (that can give you a range of different silhouettes).

Through the creation of this garment you will gain confidence in:
- sewing with light-weight woven fabrics
- sewing straight seams
- sewing curved seams
- attaching bias binding
- attaching trims

Download the pattern now for free from the Peppermint Magazine website (along with heaps more free sewing patterns). 

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Pattern release : The Peplum Top

You may have noticed that recently I have been releasing seasonal patterns in collaboration with Peppermint Magazine.  

The first one I made was a sweater dress (perfect for those of you in the northern hemisphere) and then just recently our Spring pattern was released - a nice little peplum top, perfect for warm summer days. 

The best bit about this collaboration, is that the patterns are free! You can just jump on their site, browse through their pattern archive and take your pick.

This pattern is a nice easy one - sewing up beautifully in light-weight summer fabrics like cotton, linen, silk or viscose/rayon.

Perhaps my favourite thing about this pattern is the v-neck back. The pattern includes a bias cut pieces to help you get a really nice finish on the 'v,' without too much fiddling.

Think this top is for you? Download it for free now!

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New pattern : The Jersey Dress - in collaboration with Peppermint Magazine

I made a pattern for Peppermint Magazine! I am very excited about this as it is such a great magazine. I was planning to tell you what it's all about, but then I realised they probably do it much better themselves!

"Peppermint is an Australian eco fashion and lifestyle quarterly focused on style, sustainability and substance. Covering food, fashion, natural living, health and beauty, DIY, diversity, social entrepreneurs and more, it was created for the rapidly growing number of consumers who appreciate good design and creativity, but also care about social and environmental issues, positive media and things that matter."

They have a section on their website called 'Sewing School' where you can access a whole lot of great patterns, and now I have a pattern amongst them!

The pattern is a lovely snugly raglan sleeve jumper dress, with in-seam pockets, which is a really quick sew. It can be sewn with an overlocker or standard sewing machine (and the instructions include both methods) and could be tackled by a confident beginner. Best of all, it's free! You can download it directly from the Peppermint Magazine website. While you're there, you should also check out all the other great patterns that are available. 

Download the pattern now

The Rushcutter Sew-Along : Finding inspiration

Yay! It's the first day of my very first sew-along, and I couldn't be more excited to get started.

For those of you who are just joining us, in the last post I introduced you to my brand new sewing pattern, the Rushcutter! If you missed the memo, you can check out all the details here.

I thought the best place to start the Rushcutter sew-along would be with some inspiration.

I had the most amazing group of women volunteer to test the pattern for me (thanks again ladies!) and they really did an incredible job of showing how different this dress can look, depending on your fabric choice. They each really made the dress their own.

As I mentioned in the last post, she is quite a versatile pattern and will make up well in a variety of different fabrics. Your fabric choice will really govern the end result, so before running off to the fabric shop, have a think about the kind of silhouette you would like to achieve and then go from there. I hope this images help!

If you think you would like a dress that is quite structured or boxy, consider using a mid-weight cotton, sateen or twill or or brocade. Jennifer used a beautiful jacquard weave to make hers, and achieved a really beautiful silhouette, which works both belted and un-belted. 

If you prefer something a little softer or more relaxed, I suggest light to mid-weight cotton shirting, poplin, sateen, viscose (rayon) or silk. Cindy achieved quite a soft silhouette using mid-weight cotton, and created a nice detail by using exposed binding on the armholes and neckline.

Claire also achieved a relaxed look, perfect for a casual summer dress, using this striped light-weight cotton shirting. 

For something in between the soft look and the structured look, consider using chambray or linen. Kimberly used a bottom weight denim wash cotton to achieve this silhouette. 

As the Rushcutter is made up of a few different panels, there is a lot of room to play with the pattern, with piping or colour blocking... or both, like Marie-Paule. She also attached some elastic at the waist to achieve a more fitted silhouette.

I really love the dress Corey made. She cut the bodice panels in the same fabric to make it look like a standard yoke, and then used a solid colour for the remaining panels, to create a lovely contrast between the two sections. 

This lovely relaxed Rushcutter by Indu is just the perfect summer dress. She shows how beautiful it can look with, or without, the waist sash. 

There is a lot of room for playing with stripes or contrasting fabrics in this dress, and Sneha really showed what is possible. Didn't she do an incredible job of this dress? 

Megan made this lovely light-weight cotton Rushcutter, which she shortened considerably to tunic length. I will show you how to do this during the sew-along, so keep your eyes peeled, if this is something that interests you! I think it goes perfectly with those black tights and shoes, although I think this dress will work just as well in spring.

Sarah also made a couple of changes to the pattern. She shortened the dress, as well as the sleeves, and also widened the neckline. I really love the changes she made and I think this fabric (wool boucle) just works perfectly.

Ann made this lovely blue Rushcutter, with a fabric that has a slightly quilted texture. It goes wonderfully with her red hair, don't you think?

And last, but not least, is Andreia. I am a huge fan of this dress. She really thought outside the box when it came to selecting fabric, and went for a Ponte di Roma. It has a lovely modern aesthetic, and I just love how the sleeves sit when the fabric has a bit more body to it.

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These wonderful ladies have provided me with a lot of inspiration (and I hope they have provided you with some too) - now I just have to work out which one to make first! I'd love to know what you are planning to make your Rushcutter in?

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Introducing the Rushcutter

Yipee!!! I am so pleased to introduce you to my very first sewing pattern! Her name is The Rushcutter and I think she's a bit of a beauty.

She is a relaxed knee length A-line dress, which is flattering to pretty much all figure shapes. My main mission when designing the Rushcutter was to create a dress that is comfortable, wearable, effortlessly cool, and would fit comfortable into many different women's existing wardrobes. She can easily be dressed up and down, and is perfect for all seasons.

She comes in two variations, which means she is perfect for all you people in the northern hemisphere too!

View A has three-quarter raglan sleeves, large pockets on the side (optional), an invisible zip, bound neckline and a large hem facing.

View B is a sleeveless dress with back button closure. It has in-seam pockets and the neckline and armholes are finished with bias binding.

Included in the pattern is an optional waist sash, that is suitable for both styles.

The Rushcutter was designed with woven fabrics in mind and is quite a versatile pattern. She makes up beautifully in a wide range of fabrics (and I would know, as I have made at least eight versions over the last two months!). My lovely testers also showed how different this dress can look depending on the fabric - and I will include some of their incredible dresses in the next post. 

As well as these two variations, I will also be showing you as many hacks as I can possibly come up with (and am open to suggestions, if you want to send an idea through to me), in the coming weeks, so we can get all you sewers pattern making too (and hopefully seeing how un-scary it is - yes, I made up a word)!

The pattern is suitable for brave advanced beginners and beyond. I have placed it a 'Level 4' on my skill scale, as I think a sewer with a few projects under their belts, along with some pins and patience (and probably a few cups of tea) would be able to handle this project.

You can make the project as simple or as challenging as you like. Add piping for an interesting detail or play with stripes on the various panels to make it a more challenging sew.

The pattern also comes with instructions alongside full colour photographs that hold your hand every step of the way (there is also a 'cheat sheet' available for those of you who don't want your hand held) which can be printed at home, or simply viewed on a computer, tablet or smartphone. 

Would you like to sew your Rushcutter along with me? I will be doing a sew-along over the next few weeks (starting on Monday October 19th) and will be giving you some fitting tips, showing you how to get a lovely clean finish with bias binding, and my method for sewing invisible zips! So stay tuned...

And even if you are not planning on buying the pattern, I'm sure you will find some great tips in the sew-along that can help you with other projects that find their way to your sewing table.

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What do you think? I'd love to know what you think. Is there room for the Rushcutter in your wardrobe? 

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