Want to sew a fabulous winter coat? Want to sew a fabulous winter coat that is challenging but not likely* to be the death of you? Want to sew a fabulous winter coat and be really, truly snug?

Coat, Outerwear, ReviewCharlotte Wensley15 February 2022coat, coat sewing, winter sewing, winter coat, winter coat sewing, sewing with wool, tessuti patterns, The Fabric Store, tessuti richmond coat, richmond coat Comments

A Blanca Flightsuit and Garment District recommendations

The design is wonderful. I love the pleat / pintuck on the back bodice, that not only makes it really comfortable to wear, but adds a kind of utilitarian feel to it and specifically fits with the ‘flight suit’ naming.

Bottoms, jumpsuit, Pattern Review, CritiqueCharlotte Wensley27 April 2021flightsuit, jumpsuit, denim, closet case patterns, closet core patterns, Blackbird Fabrics, pattern review, blanca flightsuit Comments

Statement Sleeves and McCalls 7974

So, how much longer do we think statement sleeves are going to be a thing?

Dress, Modified patternCharlotte Wensley19 April 2021dress, linen, statement sleeves, sleeves, pattern alteration, mccalls patterns, mccalls 7974, spring sewing, The Fabric Store, gathers Comments

My favourite trouser patterns

Pants aren’t necessarily the easiest garments to make, but also not the hardest. In fact the hardest part is getting the fit right.

A Friday Pattern Company initiation

This is exactly what I have been looking for. Square shouldered, unfitted, lined, below hip level with long lapels and a single button.

blouse, Jacket, TopCharlotte Wensley9 March 2021Friday Pattern Company, jacke, blazer, mood fabrics, The Fabric Store, linen, silk, top, statement sleeves, winter sewing, indie pattern designers, pdf pattern Comments

Have legs, wear shorts

In the Spring when we couldn’t leave the house and anxiety was at an all time high and I was turning to online retail therapy window-shopping, I came across a pair of high waisted, belted, kind of bleached denim shorts.

Bottoms, shortsCharlotte Wensley2 October 2020shorts, tie dye, bleach, vintage pattern, vintage vogue, vogue 8260, have legs wear shorts, denim, cone mills denim, body shaming Comments

A dress for the end of the world

One of the things I love about vintage patterns, are the little construction details that you just don’t see in modern patterns.

Dress, vintageCharlotte Wensley16 September 2020black lives matter, bidenharris2020, anti-racist, vote, Simplicity 7454, linen, The Fabric Store, vintage pattern, red, dress, summer dress Comments

Life in the time of COVID-19

I know that just a few blocks from here there is a large hospital which has been overwhelmed.

ThinkingCharlotte Wensley15 April 2020COVID 19, coronavirus, life in Brooklyn Comments

The Fibre Mood Anna Skirt

Writing honestly about patterns can be a bit of a minefield, particularly when writing about independent pattern designers.

Pattern Review, Skirt, Sewing Community, Review, Bottoms, Sewing Saga, CritiqueCharlotte Wensley24 November 2019Fibre Mood, Anna Skirt, Blackbird Fabrics, pattern review, a-line skirt, skirt, corduroy, pink, winter sewing, critique Comments

The Olya Shirt - thoughts on sewing 'shirts'

I think it pretty much goes without saying that sewing winter stuff is not as light and happy as sewing summer stuff.

blouse, Shirt, TopCharlotte Wensley5 November 2019shirt, Top, olya shirt, button down, lady mcilroy, great patterns, blouse, Blackbird Fabrics, paper theory patterns Comments

A love letter to the Ogden Cami

If you search #ogdencami on Instagram you’ll see close to 13,000 posts. That’s a huge amount in any sphere, but for a sewing pattern that seems crazy big numbers.