Sewing pattern recommendations for your favourite niche scenarios
For anyone wondering what they'd wear to a Gracie Abrams concert, a chill night out or to look professional but comfy when WFH
There’s a moment in every sewist’s life when you stare at your stash, your stack of untouched patterns and your many, many Pinterest boards… and still feel like you have nothing to wear. It’s not that you don’t have clothes, you just don’t have the right clothes for the occasion.
This is part two of my attempt to find the best sewing patterns for niche life scenarios.
In this edition, we’re covering what to make to wear to a school ball, on a work Zoom call or on a spontaneous hike you weren’t emotionally prepared for!
If you’re wanting to know what to wear to a White Lotus resort, Copenhagen fashion week or a chic but laid-back dinner party, then check out part one:
Just a heads-up: This newsletter is a bit on the longer side! If you're reading via email, you might see a ‘View Entire Message’ prompt at the bottom—click that to keep reading. Or, for the best experience, open it in the Substack app (my favourite way to read these).
The best sewing patterns for:
when the dress code is ‘jeans and a nice top’…
Jeans and a nice top are the unofficial dress code for when you go out and want to be dressy but not too dressy. But despite it seeming like a very chill dress code, nothing brings me more stress.
Usually, I’ll spend the hour before leaving the house trying on about 15 tops (and feeling like the ugliest girl in the world in all of them), before landing on a knit top I stole from my mum and have worn a million times before.
But now is the time to break the cycle! I want more nice tops (and also jeans) in my wardrobe!!
So here’s what I’d make so I never have to stress about the ‘jeans and a nice top’ dress code again.
The nice top part…
Mistral Top – Isa in Stitches: Asymmetrical and architectural, but easy to dress down with jeans.
Lyria Top – Studio Aanya: Drapey, with interesting side-ties. Effortlessly cool.
Willow Top – Cinnamon Daisy Studio: Frill sleeves, fitted bodice. Perfect with high-waisted jeans.
Odette Top – Alissah Threads: Another fun puff sleeve option.
Boatneck Button Down – Sewing with Jenn: A sleeveless spin on a structured silhouette.
Monty Top – My Keeper: Gorgeous wrap-style top.
Jeans to complete the look
Worship Jeans – Daughter Judy: Classic high-rise rigid jeans, you can choose the straight or flare view.
Helene Jeans – Anna Allen: Another high-waist straight-leg jeans pattern.
Rika Pants – Closet Core Patterns: A versatile design that can feel like tailored trousers or utilitarian workwear.
Heroine Jeans – Merchant & Mills: Rugged and romantic all at once.
when you need to make yourself a midi skirt so that you fit in with the gen-z girlies at a Gracie Abrams concert…
Gracie Abrams is currently (or has just completed?) a tour of Australia. I’m a fan in the way that I like two of her songs (the two most popular ones because I’m basic) and I know she’s dating Paul Mescal. But in the unlikely situation where I end up at one of her concerts, I would want to fit in!
So these are my options for fun midi skirts I would make to fit the ‘long white skirt + hair bow’ uniform.
Waverley Skirt – Hey Sew Sister: Such a fun option for a gathered skirt and you can also make this as a dress!
Saundra Skirt – Syd Graham: Flowy, fun, and made to be twirled in.
La Ciotat Wrap Skirt – Sewing Therapy: A gentle wrap that says “I didn’t try hard” (but you definitely did).
Zamora Skirt - Madswick Studio: Sweet pleats, sweet vibes.
when you’ve been invited on a hike but don’t own any outdoor adventure clothes…
I will take every opportunity to wear cute clothes, and a hike is no exception! These patterns will also work for a variety of other outdoor/fitness-related activities. So if you’re more into pilates or rock climbing, you’ll be able to say “thanks, I made it” too.
Topo Pants – Leila Makes: Functional and chic.
Roving Romper – Gracie Steel: Basically a very fashionable unitard.
Studio Activewear – Elle Stitch: Equally great for hiking or lounging around in.
Multi-Sport Skort – Jalie: The look of a skirt with the practicality of shorts!
Lia Sports Bra – Bara Studio: Actually cute enough to wear solo.
Arlo Track Jacket – Friday Pattern Company: Very 90s, retro cool.
Francli Day Pack - Merchant & Mills: Sturdy, stylish, and fits your reusable water bottle.
when you’re working from home and need a cute top to throw on before a Teams meeting…
Even though I haven’t worked in an office for over a year, the Teams call sound will haunt me for the rest of my days.
When I worked from home, I almost exclusively wore sweatpants and a sweatshirt. So whenever someone called me, I had to frantically find a slightly more professional top to throw on. The stress of those moments is unparalleled!
If I had to return to the corporate world, these are the tops I would be throwing on in those desperate seconds before accepting the call/joining the meeting.
Snow Top – Julesmsmit: Simple and classic, looks so good in linen!
Kennie Woven Shirt – Style Arc: Modern with a big collar twist.
Bow Add-On – Birgitta Helmersson: Turns the Birgitta Helmersson zero waste shirt pattern into a shirt that will distract anyone looking at you from noticing you haven’t done any work today.
Kristy Top – Fibre Mood: Another great one to throw on, especially if you make it in a heavier weight fabric that doesn’t need frequent ironing!
Jenna Shirt – Closet Core: A classic that you can wear to the office and during the weekend.
Donny Shirt – Friday Pattern Company: Relaxed but still put-together.
when you’re looking professional on top, but you’re WFH so definitely wearing comfy pants…
The perfect pants to stay comfortable while getting your work done!
Honey Girl Lounge Set – Paradise Patterns: These pants are cute, comfortable and quick to sew.
Calla Trousers – Fabric Godmother: Beginner-friendly track pants.
Unisex Boxer Pants – Isa in Stitches: For those “I’m working from the couch” days.
Cloud Sweatpant - Make by TFS: These are the pants you need when you want to be seriously comfortable.
when you’ve finally been invited to a ball, but it’s your school/work ball so it’s chill…
There’s an art to dressing up, but not overdressing. Nothing exemplifies this struggle more than trying to find a dress for a school ball or work gala.
It’s a fine line between timeless and too much, especially when the dress code is vague and the lighting is fluorescent. The good news? When you sew it yourself, you get to strike that balance perfectly!
Liz Dress – Liam Patterns: Understated elegance from one of my favourite local brands. I made this for my work Christmas party years ago and loved it!
Square Neck V Waist Dress – Kiana Bonollo: Big Bridgerton energy.
Graduation Dress – Mai Ardour: Romantic and floaty. Reminds me of that super popular Paris Georgia dress.
Anabelle Dress – Pattern Cos: Simplicity that speaks volumes. Your fabric choice will really dress this up or down.
Foxglove Slip Dress – Studio Sadoe: Make this in silk for ultimate bias-cut glamour.
Bella Dress - Lizzie Studio Patterns: Unbelievably chic! You can also make this as a top.
So next time you’re spiraling into a “what do I even make next” moment, I hope this list helps!
And if you have a pattern you love that fits into one of these categories, please comment/reply and tell me! I want to know what you’re making for your next hike/concert/Zoom call/dance floor moment.
Personal note: if you’ve made it to the end of this newsletter, thanks for being here! You might have noticed there wasn’t a newsletter last weekend. That’s because I’m caring for my terminally ill mum. I’m trying my best to continue writing and releasing these newsletters each weekend, but I might be a bit sporadic for the next few weeks as I navigate an incredibly difficult time. Thank you for sticking with me, and I’m sending you lots of love for your support <3
Loved this roundup. I was surprised to find a lil pic of myself wearing a Willow Top in the collage!! 😂😂
Love all of these!! The Zoom call tops and unexpected hiking categories are extremely relatable 😅