Danish brand Puff and Pencil, in collaboration with Min Mote, have designed the Hangaround Bag as a free PDF sewing pattern. 

The Hangaround sewing pattern is a small, lined shoulder and handbag. The bag is made up of four parts: two side pieces and a front and a back piece, as well as a handle and ties that serve as the bag's closure in the middle. 

I chose to make my Hangaround Bag in in the Irit Organic Raw Denim fabric by Mind the MAKER and used this fabric for both the outer and the lining. You could of course choose to use a different fabric for the lining. I've seen some great versions over on Instagram including one made in a leopard print twill.

It's a really interesting style to make and comes together fairly easily. Don't be put off by the fact that it's a PDF sewing pattern, as it's a small item the pattern pieces are split across just 3 pieces of A4 paper making it really easy to cut out and put together.

I made the sample above for my daughter as a surprise gift when she started her final year at University back in September. She was thrilled with it and uses it constantly. In the new year I'll be making one for myself, I'm planning to use the Thelma Quilted Fabric, also by Mind the MAKER.

Click here if you fancy making your own version of the Hangaround Bag sewing pattern either as a gift for a friend or for yourself. 

The Billow Blouse sewing pattern by The Assembly Line is all about volume. It’s gathered at the rounded neck with elastic for a comfortable fit and features billowing raglan sleeves with elastic cuffs.

To elevate this blouse further for the festive season, The Assembly Line has created a collar extension add on, available to download for free over on the TAL Sewing Journal by clicking here. 

This sewing pattern add on takes you through the steps to replace the elastic neckline and sew on a collar with ties instead – wrap it around your neck once and tie it into a bold bow, or wrap it twice for a sleek necktie knot. 

Please note: This is a free pattern extension, not a full sewing pattern. You'll need the Billow Blouse sewing pattern which you can buy by clicking here. Please also note that the pattern extension is only available as a digital download.

Blouse Sewing Patterns are consistently among our best selling styles and lend themselves perfectly to all year round sewing. They make a versatile addition to any handmade wardrobe as they can be paired with both skirts and trousers to create different looks, as well as being dressed up or down.

With this in mind I've pulled together my favourite blouse patterns, including those with both short and long sleeves, as well as styles perfect for taking you from day to night. Read on to discover my ten favourite blouse sewing patterns...

Maison Fauve • Tempete Blouse Sewing Pattern

I love how Maison Fauve have played with their signature pleat detailing for the Tempete Blouse sewing pattern to create a modern draped silhouette.

This sewing pattern includes options for both a long sleeved blouse, as pictured above, and a sleeveless option making it a great year round style. It's both perfect for an evening out but equally would work well as a more casual style. I recently saw a very similar style in Zara made in a lightweight denim which I'd definitely like to use as inspiration.

The Assembly Line • Tie Bow Blouse Sewing Pattern

When designing the Tie Bow Blouse sewing pattern, Anki, designer and founder of The Assembly Line,  wanted to create a classic shape with a victorian vibe. She also has a love of pussy bows as you can see below. However they're not to everyone's taste and sometimes they're just a little too much for every occasion so, with that in mind, the tie cleverly buttons on and off at the back. 

The Assembly Line recently posted a lovely customer make of the Tie Bow Blouse made in a shiny black fabric which just looked fantastic, you can view it here, it's perfect for a special occasion or dressed down with jeans.

Merchant and Mills  • Edie Top & Dress Sewing Pattern

Designed by Carolyn Denham, founder and owner of Merchant and Mills, the balloon sleeves of this simple blouse and dress are the only detail that it needs in order to stand out.

Less is most definitely more with the Edie Top & Dress. The full sleeves are gathered with a tie which is threaded through a buttonhole, alternatively you can omit this buttonhole and insert elastic instead. This is a style that I definitely want to make!

Friday Pattern Company • The Wilder Top & Dress Sewing Pattern

The dress version of the Wilder by Friday Pattern Company is a much loved style over on Instagram, and I think the blouse is sometimes overlooked though it really doesn't deserve to be. I've made the short sleeved version a few times now, it's a really easy style to make, easier than it looks and more importantly it's a great style for taking you from day to evening.

There's also an option for 3/4 sleeves for the colder months which could easily be extended to a full sleeve.

Liberty Fabrics • Thea Boho Sleeve Shirt Sewing Pattern

A constant favourite with our customers, the Thea Boho Sleeve Shirt sewing pattern by Liberty is a loose-fitting button-front blouse with a range of different sleeve options which dramatically change the look of this truly versatile style. 

The much anticipated Nani Iro 2024 Fabric Collection has arrived and, as always, it does not disappoint. With new artworks and a fresh, vibrant colour palette, this collection is perfect for all your summer sewing projects.

Designed by Japanese artist Naomi Ito for Kokka Fabrics under the brand name Nani Iro, these designs have a beautifully distinctive hand painterly quality to them.

From 2024 onwards, all the Nani Iro cotton double gauze fabrics will be made using organic cotton, not only that, the entire lineup will be made of natural materials including linen, silk and tencel. 

This year, five stunning new designs have been introduced, each printed in a choice of colourways and on two different fabric bases per design. There are four floral designs in varying scales along with one painterly subtle stripe design called Touch a Chord. 

Sitting alongside, and complimenting the new designs is a small reprint series of long-selling patterns that continue to be loved. This year they have rested past favourites such as Lei Nani and Birds Eye and, instead have re-introduced Encounter, shown below, as well as Saaaa Saaa.

The pattern for the dress above is from Nani Iro Sewing Studio, a book containing 18 beautiful sewing patterns designed by Naomi Ito to compliment her fabrics.

All of these beautiful designs sit together perfectly to create a cohesive collection. I hope you love these fabrics as much as I do and I can't wait to see what you make. 

There's no doubting the fact that skirts have been having a moment in recent months and this has continued into 2024. 

The A-Line Midi Skirt Sewing Pattern by The Assembly Line is a great sewing  pattern if you're new to sewing as it's easy to make plus there are four different options to choose from which are shown illustrated below.

As the name suggests, it has an A-line fit and key details include an elasticated waistband and side slant pockets. The pattern comes with several versions to choose from - the regular waistband, the paper bag waistband with belt loops and a belt, the regular straight hemline, the rounded hemline and the elasticated hemline. 

Inspired by a quilted ready to wear skirt that I saw last season I made the regular waistband option of the A-Line Midi Skirt in the Thelma Quilted fabric in Black by Mind the MAKER. 

I chose to make the version with the regular waistband. And because the fabric has vertical quilted stitch-lines and is lightly padded I and made a couple of modifications to accommodate my chosen fabric:

1. The centre-front and centre-back seams were omitted and the pattern pieces were pivoted slightly to cut them on the fold. (If you decide to make this amendment remember take off the 1cm seam allowance) This modification would also work well for striped fabrics.
2. Instead of side slant pockets I adjusted the pattern slightly and replaced these with in-seam pockets using the  Thelma Thermal Solid fabric in Black to reduce the bulk of the skirt at this point.

Other than that I followed the pattern, the instructions were really clear and my skirt came together really quickly. I added an additional stitch-line through the centre of the elasticated waistband as shown in the photo below. This not only creates a lovely detail but it also prevents the elastic from twisting within the waistband casing.

This is a lovely style both to make and wear. It's a great skirt for beginners and experienced sewists alike. It's definitely a pattern that I'll be making again. In fact I'm planning my next make, this time in denim without the modifications.

I'm wearing the skirt with the Elastic Tie Sweater, also by The Assembly Line, made in Sevenberry Rustic Indigo fabric Spaced Lines.