The best of sewing 2018, part 1: patterns

What are the best patterns that I found during 2018? Here is the list of the patterns that I will keep in my permanent pattern stash. Some of them might be older patterns that I just came to contact with just last year, but all of them deserve their place in my top 10. They are not in any particular order, in fact, it was quite hard to select just 10.

1. Pin-up girls Amanda and Alyssa

This is the first bra pattern I ever tried making. The reason for choosing this pattern was that it was designed for pressed foam cups that many RTW bras have. I may have had luck in that I managed to get the size right immediately but still this pattern is a good one to keep in your stash.

Link to the pattern.

Link to the project above.

2. MakeBra DL04

After trying several MakeBra patterns, this is the one that is my absolute favourite. I had to modify it to fit to suit the short underwires that I require, but that was an easy modification to do. This bra is constructed out of cut and seam foam creating a perfect fit. The seamed construction allows all kind of interesting combinations of fabrics on the top cup. The lycra band with no side seams makes this bra extra comfortable to wear. This pattern can also be used to make a bikini top that will definitely be on my to-sew list next year!

Link to the pattern.

Link to the project above.

3. Sew Over It Edie

in is from the Sew Over It Capsule wardrobe – Work to Weekend ebook. This is a perfect simple top for me that has the perfect not-too-tight-but-still-fitted look.

Link to the ebook.

Link to the project above.

4. Sew Over It Kate

Another great pattern from the Work to weekend ebook. Again one of the best features of this is the fit. In fact, I didn’t have to make any modifications to this pattern. More often than not the amount of ease in the sewing patterns does not match the idea that I have in mind. This dress is comfortably loose but it still looks fitted. The only con with this dress is that you have to buy the whole ebook to get the pattern.

Link to the ebook.

Link to the project above.

5. Named clothing Ruska

This is a pattern from the new Breaking the pattern book by Saara and Laura Huhta of the Named clothing. It was the first pattern I made out of the book, before actually even buying the book itself and I have been wearing the dress a lot.

Link to the book.

Link to the project above.

6. Itch to Stitch Crystal Cove Cami

I love the back of this cami. I only made one version but I will definitely use the pattern again. This cami would look just amazing made out of silk!

Link to the pattern.

Link to the project above.

7. Orageuse Prague blouse

This pattern deserves a shoutout since I haven’t seen that many versions of this gorgeous blouse online. The fit is very nice and the collar looks pretty either with or without the optional v-neck opening. Again, I will definitely make another version of this blouse. I am thinking of using dark blue silk satin…

Link to the pattern.

Link to the project above.

8. I am patterns Orion

This blouse pattern has somehow the perfect combination of vintage and modern. I love the pretty collar and the fit of the sleeves. I should make another version out of a fabric that is more comfortable than the polyester I used for my trial version above.

Link to the pattern.

Link to the project above.

9. McCall’s 7748 1950s style dress

This was a dress I made to attend my cousin’s wedding. The fabric was light as a spiderweb and I had to make some changes to take that into account. The resulting dress was just dreamy. I have yet to make the other version of this dress that came with the pattern. That could make a nice project for the year 2019!

Link to the pattern.

Link to the project above.

10. Sew Over it Penny

This particular dress wins the prize of my favourite dress of the year. The fabric is pretty, the fit nice and due to the elasticated waist, the dress is also comfortable to wear. If the dress had sleeves, it would be just perfect. Now I can only wear it during the warmer months. I think I may have to take this pattern to the hacking table this new year 2019 and modify the pattern for the long sleeves.

Link to the pattern.

Link to the project above.

What do you think are the best patterns of 2018? Are there patterns that I should definitely try 2019?

The next time I will choose 10 other sewing related things that are not patterns. Stay tuned!

Happy sewing!

Katja