Your Cart
Sewing Ideas and Inspiration
It was my birthday on Monday and as a rare treat I spent the whole day shopping with Mom excitedly perusing the new autumn winter trends. I walked amongst the rails of my favourite high street stores mentally picking out patterns and fabrics I could use to recreate the looks my way. Sewing is such fun isn't it?!
Here's a round up of the key trends I spotted and the patterns and fabrics you can use to bring your handmade wardrobe bang up to date.
This season it is all about the check. If you like to go big or go home tartan is the name of the game, but if you prefer a subtle nod to the latest looks Prince of Wales check and variations thereof are a good option.
The tartans this season are bold and bright with those fully embracing the trend going for a head to toe look, even clashing different prints. Not quite ready for a Teresa May/Vivienne Westwood trouser suit yet? Go for an A line mini skirt, pencil skirt or straight leg trousers teamed with a plain blouse or jumper.
We have some super fun new tartans in stock to help you nail this trend. They strike the balance perfectly between being fashionable and wearable. A subtle grey background with a bold pink or purple and black check mean you can tick the bright colour box without feeling too extreme. We also have a range of more traditional tartans in navy and green, Lindsay (deep pink and green) and Royal Stewart (the red one everyone thinks of when they think tartan). You can view all of our tartans here.
My plans for tartan this season are the Sew Over It ultimate pencil skirt or this Simplicity mini skirt - a tried and tested pattern for me, which I lengthened and you can see here. I have my eye on the new pink or purple and grey tartans, which would look so effective with a simple black polo neck.
On the Prince of Wales check front I am lusting after a simple coat I spotted in Marks and Spencer. In fact I tried a checked coat on in every single one of my favourite High Street stores until I found my favourite. I think we can safely say this is a key look this season. An alternative prominent look was straight leg checked trousers. Paired with smart chunky patent loafers for comfy days or court shoes for a polished look.
This checked coating fabric will keep you toasty in the winter months and would look great as this simple Burda coat or jacket.
If you're not quite ready to make a coat try some trousers or a skirt in one of our gorgeous Prince of Wales suiting fabrics. This Burda trouser pattern looks ideal.
If you've followed the blog for any amount of time you will know I am an animal print lover. I don't know why, but it just makes my heart sing. Red and black, grey and black or tan and black I love them all and this season they all feature heavily. Much like the tartan trend designers showcased a head to toe look and even mixed prints on the catwalks. If this is too Bet Lynch for you tone it down with simple neutral separates.
I absolutely adore our John Kaldor Cassandra crepe de chine fabrics available in purple and black leopard print here and red and black leopard print here. Silky soft and sumptuous you can't help but feel like a VIP with these next to your skin.
I saw lots of simple blouses in colourful animal prints, which could be paired with black skinny jeans and trainers for an up to the minute look. I love the simple neckline and loose fitting balloon sleeve on this Burda blouse, which would work beautifully with the Cassandra fabric.
Another look I thought would quickly become a wardrobe staple was a simple knit shift dress in animal print. Our grey and black animal print jersey and this New Look pattern would work a treat.
I will also be wearing one of my favourite ever handmade items all winter long. My Tilly and the Buttons Agnes top in our leopard print jersey in red and black is my go to long sleeved T for winter. You can still get the pattern and the fabric here and here.
There is a definite 'Clueless' Alicia Silverstone circa 1995 look about jackets right now. Tweed and Boucle cropped preppy styles are a go go. You can go for the full blown matching skirt suit look or pair with blue jeans and a white T for a more casual vibe.
My choice of pattern would be this Burda jacket paired with our faint check suiting fabric or bouclé suiting fabric.
Women are crusading in politics, film and fashion right now so surely we deserve a super hero cape - amirite?! Such a great cover up for transitional weather too.
The capes on the catwalks ranged from full length dramatic glamorous versions in wools or even fancy brocade fabrics to short, practical and comfortable styles. You could even combine the tweed or check trend here and double whammy it in the fashion stakes.
What's more capes are an easier way to dip your toe in the coat making waters than a full blown coat. Winner.
If I was going for knock out glamour I would want to team view A or B of this New Look pattern with our to die for jacquard fabric of dreams.
And if I wanted an every day easy to wear cape that goes with everything I would want to make view A of this Kwik Sew pattern in one of our wool mix fabrics here.
Well really, I should say pretty dresses seeing as anything goes here. From wild west inspired ankle length gowns to Edwardian collars and frills it is all about being a girly girl and florals never say die.
I'm already working on a project with our peaseblossom fabric in mustard and I kind of wish I wasn't. Combine the peaseblossom with this McCalls pattern view B and have this trend all wrapped up.
I hope you've enjoyed discovering the new trends as much as I have. There's nothing like a new season and new ideas for patterns and fabrics to come to terms with the end of summer!
Have fun sewing!
Lucy
For more tips and tricks on how to make sewing easy you can follow our blog via Bloglovin and receive updates via email each time a new post is added.
Follow us on Facebook Twitter and Instagram for news, tutorials, special offers, sales and more.