It's time to embrace Autumn and start sewing up those new season trends so we've picked out some of our favourites and the sewing patterns and fabrics you can use to recreate those key looks.
Watch the video round up to see the suggested fabrics and extra style ideas and see the blog post for mood boards and the primary pattern selections.
6 Autumn 2023 Sewing Trends
- Foundation pieces: Named Patterns Isla trench coat: sizes 4 - 28
- Red: Liesl and Co Geneva blouse: sizes 0- 20
- Winter florals: McCalls 7971 dress pattern: sizes 6 - 22
- Tailoring: Simplicity 9707: sizes 4 - 20 Simplicity 9708: sizes 20 - 38
- Denim midi skirts: McCalls 8149: sizes 8 - 32
- Checks: McCalls 8730: 6 - 24
Foundation Pieces and Quiet Luxury
This key Autumn trend is all about mixing your comfy classics with some tailoring for an elevated and contemporary look.
Think leggings, a hoody and a trench coat, baggy trousers or wide leg jeans, a tailored shirt and a classic wool coat.
Stylish and comfortable. Win win.
Named Patterns Isla Trench Coat
My pattern picks to recreate this look are the Isla trench coat by Named Patterns or the Chilton trench by Cashmerette for anyone looking for a pattern designed with curves in mind and which runs from a C to a H cup.
I realise sewing a trench coat seems like a big task, but hear me out.
Firstly I was really inspired this year by the Sewing Bee when the contestants made a trench coat in one of the episodes and I thought if they can whip one up in that amount of time, if you're doing it from the comfort of your own home and not under time pressure, surely it's a doable project.
Secondly I think this time of year is great for just embracing slow slowing movement so really focusing on taking your time and making projects you can really get your teeth into. We spend a lot more time indoors at this time of year so it's the perfect time to really stretch those sewing skills.
Either of these trench coats would look great sewn up in our Sevenberry cotton twill fabric, although it isn't waterproof so you would need to treat it if you wanted it to be waterproof or you could look for a waterproof fabric.
Red
Red is thecolour of the season - red everything - red shirts, blouses, trouser suits, you name it there is a red version out there.
I thought a nice way to introduce a bit of red to your wardrobe and add a pop of colour is to make a red blouse.
I recently started working with a new fabric supplier and sourced some beautiful ex-designer dead stock fabrics from France, Germany and Italy, really lovely quality fabrics and I made sure I selected some beautiful reds.
Liesl and Co Geneva Blouse
The pattern I chose was the Geneva v-neck blouse by Liesl and Co - a very simple v-neck with clean lines and a button down front.
It also has different sleeve options and includes cup sizes for an A/B cup and C/D cup so great for achieving a good fit.
It would look so pretty sewn up in our red animal print ex designer deadstock fabric or, for a more subtle nod to red, our ex designer cream fabric with small, red floral print.
Winter Florals
Dark winter florals seem to have been heralded as a new trend, although I don't feel like it's particularly new.
In fact, I feel like it's been around pretty much every winter for a long time, but I think there's a reason for that and I think that's because who doesn't love a dark floral?
I realise there will obviously be people who don't, but I personally love them. I think they're super romantic and give me all the warm, cosy winter vibes.
I saw large prints, lots of dresses that were still feminine and floaty with ruffles, but definitely more fitted silhouettes.
I saw blouse style shirts sewn up in dark florals so still floaty and fluid but with some structure and yeah lots of the dresses also had a sexy thigh slit too.
McCalls 7971 Dress Pattern
I chose McCalls 7971 for the dark floral dress trend, which runs up to a size 22 and includes a range of different versions and options including the sexy thigh slit midi length version, which I thought really nailed this trend.
It has a fitted bodice with waist and bust darts, options for a sleeveless version, shorter skirts and different sleeves including a little flutter cap sleeve and a short sleeve.
I've got two different dark floral fabrics for this dress, both are ex designer dead stocks.
The first one is a smaller print, it's a lovely weight and a good weight for dresses or trousers, but it's still got that lovely fluid movement.
It's on a black background and it's got this pretty sort of white floral print I thought that would work brilliantly.
The other alternative is one that I know is from one of my favourite shops. It is a bigger print and has a really soft handle on the wrong side, almost like a satin feel, not quite as silky as that but it's definitely got a silkyish feel on the wrong side.
Tailoring
Tailoring is very much on trend again this season and there are similar ideas to the quiet luxury, foundation pieces trend at the start of the post.
We're talking things like waistcoats, trouser suits, shirts - shirts have been so popular for so many seasons now.
For a contemporary look focus on mixing casual and smart pieces such as wide leg trousers with a waistcoat and trainers or a blazer with wide leg jeans.
Simplicity 9707 Shirt Pattern
The pattern I chose for the tailoring trend is Simplicity 9707, which I made in our Dashwood Pop cotton fabric in white.
I've been wearing it tucked into high-waisted wide leg jeans and have also created a 6 ways to style a white shirt video for YouTube for lots of other styling inspiration.
It is also available in a very size inclusive range up to a size 38 as Simplicity 9708.
As far as shirt patterns go this is a very easy sew thanks to a collar without a collar stand, pleats at the cuff rather than plackets and a built in button band rather than a separate piece. It comes together exceptionally quickly and is oversized so it doesn't require much fitting, if any at all.
Denim Midi Skirts
I must admit the denim midi skirt was a bit of a surprise trend that seemed to come out of nowhere this year.
It started in the spring/summer season and now it's going firmly into autumn/winter and literally every time I leave the house I see somebody wearing one.
I think they just look so stylish and they're so versatile - like the shirt another classic piece to have in your wardrobe.
I've seen people wearing them with trainers and a fitted knit like a turtleneck, with ankle boots, knee high boots, with t-shirts, blouses, leather bomber jackets or biker jackets.
Also sewing denim is dreamy, I especially love the methodical top stitching for a bit of slow, mindful sewing.
McCalls 8149 Midi Skirt Pattern
The denim midi skirt pattern I chose was McCalls 8149, which includes three different lengths, a vent at the front, a fly front zip, a waistband with a button, pockets and an option for a shorter version with an open ended zip.
This pattern also runs up to a size 32 making it lovely and size inclusive.
There are more classic denim skirt features on the back with a yoke and patch pockets.
You could sew this up in any number of denim fabrics and I thought our indigo or charcoal would work well for autumn winter and create a timeless piece that you would reach for time and time again over the years.
Checks
The last trend I wanted to share with you is checks. There are lots of checks out there this year, whether this is a nod to Vivienne Westwood I'm not sure, but they're definitely a strong trend.
Look for bright and unusual colour combinations and if you want to tick this trend really easily just buy an oversized check scarf - there were lots and lots of those on the catwalks!
McCalls 8370 Skirt and Jacket Pattern
McCalls 8370 gives you the option for a really cute tailored jacket without any fastenings so making it a slightly easier sew.
It has princess seams for a good fit and, as a tailored jacket, is another project to get your teeth into and do some slow, mindful sewing with, but it also includes a really cute mini skirt pattern as well if you're looking for an easier sew.
If you're not up for the challenge of the jacket just yet you could always make the skirt, build your confidence and come back to the jacket at another date.
The fabric I chose for the skirt or jacket was this check fabric in an unusual turquoise colour.
I hope you're feeling inspired to whip up some exciting new handmade garments for your autumn winter wardrobe.
Have fun sewing!
Lucy
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