Sometimes the simplest of pattern hacks can create quite a difference to the overall silhouette of a garment. This is undoubtedly true of the recently sampled  Culottes Sewing Pattern by The Assembly Line where they've extended the leg length by 15cm, as featured below. 

These extended Culottes make a great co-ord styled above with the Poncho Shirt Sewing Pattern. This plaid two piece looks both contemporary and stylish, the sleek lines of the Culottes compliment the flared Pocho Shirt perfectly. The Assembly Line have also styled these Culottes with the Oversized Shirt Sewing Pattern and tie for a bold look in the following two photos.

Sometimes the simplest of sewing pattern hacks can create quite a difference to the overall silhouette and look of a garment. This idea is one that could easily be applied to many other sewing patterns...

I was so excited to discover Swedish design brand Ann Ringstrand via Instragram. I love her modern aesthetic and stylish designs. With many years in the fashion industry, Ann specialises in creating fashionable patterns for home sewing.

Ann's focus is on everyday fashion with good wearability and durability. She takes her inspiration from men’s fashion and old working clothes, combining modern design with traditional crafting. She is very fond of conventional “well-dressed” looks, but also mixes in influences from the street fashions of major cities.

The style is unisex, with a strong emphasis on classic tailoring and functional uniform details like pockets and linings. Her style is often described as Scandinavian minimalism with elements taken from international trends. To achieve a personal expression, Ann likes to combine modern design with traditional crafting. Her style is also influenced by her mum, who sewed, wove, quilted, and patched throughout her childhood.

For several years Ann ran the successful Swedish brand Hope, leaving in 2017 to set up a new design company in New York. In 2019 she was approached by The Swedish Publishing House Bonnier Fakta and returned to the world of fashion to create a book of home sewing with full scale paper patterns in her own signature style. 

Ann quickly discovered a gap in the market between the fashion industry and world of home sewing. She was also keen to address some of the environmental challenges within the fashion industry and embrace a more sustainable approach.

Her first book, Sew: 10 New Fashion Styles contains a collection of that you can sew for yourself. There are ten stylish key sewing patterns, including shirts, dresses, a kaftan, trousers, a blazer, and a coat. Included with the book are full-scale paper sewing patterns for you to trace off and use.

Following the success of Ann's award-winning first book, a follow up Sew: 10 Matching Key Styles for Your Wardrobe was published. Step by step, Ann guides you through the creation of a mini collection of your own, consisting of a coat, jacket, blazer, waistcoat, dress, skirt, two trousers, and two shirts.

This isn't just a sewing pattern book, it also contains lots of valuable advice around building a capsule collection of handmade clothes including how to select your colour palette and finding fabrics.

One of the many things that I love about these books, is that Ann gives design tips to the reader on how to style and wear your handmade piece of clothing. And with so many great styles to choose from I can't wait to get started....

I've made the Almost Long Trousers sewing pattern by The Assembly Line a few times now and every time I've really enjoyed the process of making them. 

These trousers have a relaxed fit,  they're positioned at the lower waist with a dropped crotch and are really flattering to wear. 

Merchant and Mills have designed a fabulous pattern hack for one of their best selling styles, the Trapeze Dress sewing pattern.

Merchant and Mills have added a full, double layered gathered skirt with a ribbon tie back. The result is playful and fun and the perfect canvas for a bright or embellished fabric. They chose a Cotton Poplin together with a Cotton Voile for lining. As you can see, because the poplin is a tightly woven fabric and quite crisp it gives the dress a lovely sculptural look. 

If you choose something softer like an Indian Cotton it will have a softer silhouette. The second dress, pictured below, is made from the Libra Spot Indian Cotton also by Merchant and Mills and available on our website by clicking here.

I love this pattern hack, it completely changes the silhouette of the Trapeze Dress and is a great way to get more from your sewing pattern, I'll definitely be making one!

To make this dress you'll need the Trapeze Dress sewing pattern which you can purchase here and you can download the free pattern hack over on the Merchant and Mills website by clicking here.

There were some real stand out Sewing Pattern styles in 2024 so I thought I'd share our Top 5 Sewing Patterns to hopefully inspire your next sewing project.

Our best selling pattern last year was the Remy Raglan Top Sewing Pattern by Sew House Seven. This a simple, timeless top is quick and easy to make. It features a relaxed fit at the bust and waist with three sleeve choices plus an optional keyhole button closure at the front.

Suitable for confident beginners, it's a great style for summer but can also be worn with a long sleeve tee in the winter.

Following closely behind the Remy, in second place, was Le Top by Atelier Brunette. Le Top is a sleeveless, trapeze top with a flattering design. You can chose from four playful side styles including three buttons, a single button and side splits, ties and a lace detail.

Third place went to the Tempete Blouse Sewing Pattern by Maison Fauve. Released in September, this beautiful blouse combines clean lines and sophistication with a very feminine drape.

The pattern plays on pleats, proportions and a trompe l’oeil collar effect. The sleeves can be long, and constructed with stitched pleats and a buttoned cuff, like a blouse. You can also sew the Tempête Blouse without sleeves, with an impeccable armhole finishing, for a very elegant little top to wear for any occasion.

The Cuff Top Sewing Pattern by The Assembly Line was our fourth best selling style of 2024 and has consistently been one of our best selling styles since we first started stocking it six years ago.  Suitable for beginners, this is an easy to make style with a straight fit, boat neck and half sleeves with statement deep elastic cuffs

Finally, fifth place went to the Thea Boho Sleeve Shirt Sewing Pattern by Liberty. Thea is a loose-fitting button-front blouse with a range of different sleeve options. Choose from long and short sleeve lengths, the long sleeves have the option for puffed sleeves, as shown in the photos, as well as a ruffled option, making it a really versatile pattern.

It's interesting to note that all five styles were tops and blouses, that said they're all completely different with their own unique design details and silhouettes, and they are all still relevant as we head into 2025.

You can browse and shop our thoughtfully curated collection of Sewing Patterns by clicking HERE.