Sew Excited! Pattern picks with VeloSews

Athleisurewear really comes into its own when I can pair a brilliant zipper jacket and leggings.

This pattern offers a colour blocked jacket. The value of this pattern is you can use various knit remnants in the panels. If you’re a ponte fabric fan, this is a brilliant top to make again and again.

Verdict: Another valued pattern that I can use again and again. Moderate stretch knits are my go-to during the cooler months in Sydney.

A bit of luxury with again a capsule of patterns for sleepwear. Actually this pattern offers lots of sleepwear options using cotton voile fabrics.

You know that Liberty print you’ve been holding onto? This would be the pattern to crack open and sew lots of gorgeous Liberty sleepwear and feel like you’re on cloud 9.

Why not sleep in luxe without feeling too glitzy. I can take these jammies on holiday even if we’re glamping. One of my fun Liberty voiles would work here.

Verdict: I still won’t be camping this Summer.

Parkers and anoraks are all the same to me. They’re a brilliant statement piece and can also be perfect to make a shower proof jacket that you’ve made for yourself.

This pattern has 3 variations. I know. How do you choose which version to sew?

Burda offers sewing instructions that make my final garment sharper looking. I learn so many useful sewing techniques from Burda patterns.

Snaps, pockets, drawstring, contrasting lining in the hood gives me the ability to use raincoat fabric and create my unique look. This is a dream project I’d make once or twice. Once with cotton drill and the second with light weight raincoat fabric.

Verdict: Try this one again and again.

Here’s the secret to this pattern. All 3 classic coats including the trench style coat gives me to option to glam this up or keep it simple. Such a win.

The other thing I love about this pattern is you can wear the coat with a belt or not.

Buying all the buckles, buttons and choosing the topstitching colour to use is a fun part in planning a coat like this. I admit finding everything to finish this coat can be challenging but think about how you’re creating ‘that coat’ that will last a very long time. This is an absolutely timeless project.

Pairing this coat with stunning lining allows this coat to look wonderful both inside and out. I love how this style caters to creating a waist, when your waist decides to disappear.

Verdict: Coats should be sewn with passion.

A woven dress pattern that creates a day or night shapely option without needing too much fitting.

A simple invisible zipper and a trim will give each version of this pattern a unique look.

Verdict: I may decide to create this later this year.

Shapely and a puffy sleeve option. I’m actually thinking this is a great Summer party dress or one that you can jazz up for wedding season.

Right now, I would love this dress sewn in a delicate gauze for Summer to avoid sunburn and being attacked by bugs. This pattern has a size zipper that I’d play with the option of not using the zipper if I use a self-fabric belt option. The options for styling this dress are endless.

Verdict: …next in my sewing queue.

This has been a staple Winter top and I’m so glad it is still in print. I still wear this pink version all the time. The dress version I made was perfect for the office in Winter. No one at work knew about this dress style and I got lots of compliments when I wore it to work. Now I really need to make those pull on trousers.

Verdict: V necklines like this one need to be worn in the winter.

Fantasy coat for everyday wear

Sometimes I want a coat or jacket that reflects the movie or tv series I love. That’s when I look at costumes for a design that’s simply brilliant for everyday wear.

You’ll see that I’ve sewing a Game of Thrones inspired coat and I still love wearing this coat today.

Verdict: Take a walk in your fantasy world but in reality

My absolute go-to knit dress.

I’ve sewn this at least 5 times and I can size it up or down depending on my weight.

Verdict: Never lose this pattern. Ever.