December Inspiration

As I write this I’m sat on the sofa in my newly made brushed cotton tartan pyjamas – hacked for a growing bump, with a hot chocolate to the side and something festive on the television. Perfect!

Let’s start with the Desert Sky Triangle Stag from Girl Charlee that went into the Luxury boxes, that cotton spandex is so soft and comfy to wear!

First up is the Myrtle Dress by Colette Patterns, a comfortable yet figure skimming dress with cowl neckline and plenty of room for another helping of turkey!

You might not want to wear the stag fabric made up in a pair of leggings like these Manta Wave pair from Named Clothing out of the house (unless you’re very brave) but they would be oh so comfy as a pair of pyjama bottoms to wear around the house.

The Ebony dress and t-shirt pattern from Closet Case Patterns is the ultimate in secret pyjamas! There are three dress and sleeve lengths to choose from to make this swingy style.

The Fautleroy top from Straight Stitch Designs will keep you super cosy over the winter months and looks great paired with jeans. Choose from a cowl or turtleneck alongside the raglan sleeves and shoulder darts.

The Meridian dress from Sew To Grow is a great introduction to sewing with knit fabrics. Gently gathered at the waistline and featuring pockets you can choose between long or short sleeves, straight or curved hem and round or v-necklines.

The Dartmouth Top from Cashmerette is one that has been on my to-buy list for a while. This flattering wrap top can either be a classic fixed wrap or feature a ruched front, plus there are three sleeve lengths to choose from.

For the bushed cotton tartan that went into the Mini and Classic boxes, there’s some great opportunities to play around with contrasting fabrics to make the most of the amount of fabric you have available.

The Simplicity 1370 would look so great made in that tartan, almost a bit kilt like. Paired with black tights and a cropped jumper you could something very Clueless going on!

The Zoe top from Simple Sew requires very little fabric but adds an extra touch with the topstitching. Do bare in mind if you make this with the tartan if you want to consider pattern matching down the centre front and back. You will have both vertical and horizontal lines to think about.

The Philippa is a top, dress and skirt patterns from Muse Patterns and really gives you the chance to play around with contrast fabrics with the side panels – that can also extend into hidden pockets!!

For a tailored A-line sheath dress try the Phoebe by Colette Patterns. The lined bodice is shaped by princess seams and the angled waist darts create a flattering shape. Version 1 gives you the chance to add some gorgeous buttons to the double-breasted bodice.

Any brushed cotton works perfectly as a pair of pyjamas, even better at this time of year when they are tartan. The Ultimate pyjamas from Sew Over It are a super comfy wide-leg style with an elasticated waistband. Perfect for beginners as well.

The Archer Button Up Shirt from Grainline Studio is an extremely popular pattern with a few different options for the back and cuffs. It’s relaxed style means you don’t have to worry too much about fit and instead, can practice some more challenging techniques like button plackets and collar.

For those beautifully simple yet shimmery fat quarters you could try your hand at making some quilted placemats for your tables. This tutorial is a great introduction to creating a simple quilted block.

I’m all for a touch of glamour and pampering at home, so this sleep mask from Evie la Lúve is a great pattern to make for your boudoir. If you have a silky piece of fabric for the back it will feel lovely to wear. This is a pretty quick and simple make, so if you’re looking for any emergency stocking fillers this could be the thing!

For an alternative to oven gloves (especially for lightweight baking trays) try whipping up some of these little Hot Pads for your kitchen. Obviously please be careful how you use them as there isn’t a huge amount of coverage for your hands!

As always, I cannot wait to see what you make out of these goodies. I know a few people got sewing pretty quickly after receiving their box and have posted on Instagram. Use the hashtag #sewhayleyjanemakes to get into the maker gallery, or post your pictures on my FaceBook page.

Happy Sewing, and HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!