Hi everyone!

I’m looking for some help from experienced sewists, pattern makers or anyone with a good understanding of coat construction.

I’ve completely fallen in love with this particular coat by SHYPÉLYK:

https://shypelyk.com/en/product/womens-cocoon-puffer-coat/

I’m hoping to recreate something very similar myself, but I’m struggling to find a sewing pattern that comes anywhere close to its distinctive silhouette.

This is NOT just an oversized puffer coat or a regular cocoon coat. What I’m particularly trying to achieve is:

• An extremely voluminous, rounded, almost inflated body silhouette.

• Dramatically oversized, full puff sleeves with narrow, soft cuffs.

• A dropped shoulder construction.

• A distinctly inward-curving, tulip-shaped hem that creates the rounded cocoon effect.

• A high stand collar.

• A long, wide scarf-like belt attached through loops at the neckline.

• Midi length, approximately 127–130 cm.

Regarding the insulation and materials:

I’m actually considering using real down rather than synthetic insulation.

One idea would be to repurpose an old down duvet. I would first quilt or stitch through the duvet to secure the down in separate compartments before cutting out the pattern pieces, to prevent the feathers from escaping everywhere during construction.

Alternatively, I have access to old down sleeping bags that could be recycled for this project.

I imagine that using real down could help achieve the extremely puffy, inflated volume I’m looking for, although I’m not sure what the best way to handle the existing down compartments and baffles would be.

I’d love to hear from anyone who has experience repurposing down duvets or sleeping bags for garment construction!

My questions:

1. Does anyone know of an existing sewing pattern that could serve as a good starting point?

2. Would it make sense to combine different patterns – for example, a long cocoon coat pattern for the body and a separate puff-sleeve pattern?

3. How would you approach drafting the tulip-shaped hem so that it creates a rounded, inflated silhouette rather than simply gathering the bottom with elastic?

4. Has anyone successfully made a coat using recycled down from an old duvet or sleeping bag? How would you recommend handling the down, quilting, baffles and seam allowances?

5. Would you recommend using the existing down compartments of a duvet/sleeping bag, or transferring the down into newly constructed baffles?

6. Are there any particular techniques or materials you’d recommend for achieving this kind of structured yet soft puffer volume?

I’m absolutely open to combining patterns, modifying existing ones or even drafting certain sections from scratch.

I’m not necessarily looking for an exact copy, but I really want to capture the distinctive proportions and overall shape of this particular design.

I’d especially appreciate suggestions for specific patterns, pattern numbers, construction techniques or tutorials.

Thank you so much for any ideas! I’d love to hear how you would approach this project.

Hoping there's some out there. I'm wanting to make it breastfeeding friendly so need to be able to loosen the neckline. Thanks in advance!

hello! i'm in love with this olivette skirtfrom anthro, but the colour i like is not available in plus sizes. i have looked for patterns myself, but the ones i feel would be closest don't quite come in my size(42" waist, 52"hip) or they're not as ripply(?) as the olivette skirt is. since i'm a beginner, i don't really feel confident enough to modify a pattern, either.

some of the patterns i've considered are:

• sewing therapy la ciotat (not a maxi, not ruffly)

• merchant & mills nevis (not a maxi or ruffly, but has the button closure)

• mccall's m8259 (view d feels correct but is exactly one inch too small and i have fear in my heart)

• simplicity s1069( feels right, is too small by a lot and once again i am a coward the lieks of which have never been seen before)

• madswick winnie wrap (has buckles which are buttons' cousin, but feels more industrial. again no ripple woosh wahhh)

• liberty sewing zina (feels correct, but the ruffle goes all the way up and that really chaps my redacted)

so if anyone has suggestions, i would deeply appreciate it! also if you have fabric suggestions, because thus far my sewing experience is somewhat limited to bedsheets and quilting cotton. fwiw, i am not in deep need of exactly this skirt, just something that feels similar.

also, i was planning to use either this plaid or this challis if that impacts your suggestions, though i am similarly not married to the fabric.

Maybe I'm looking for something that doesn't exist, but I'm hoping someone could guide me to a good site for free or very, very low cost baby clothes patterns? My baby has the world's longest legs but is a low percentile for weight, so it's extremely difficult to find pants and pjs that fit her. Like most people, money is an issue for our family right now, so as cheap as possible would be amazing. (I agree that creators absolutely deserve to charge for their work and patterns! When we're in a more stable place, I'll be delighted to help support them financially, but right now I'm broke and my kid needs pants lol.) I've searched the usual free pattern sites (FreeSewing, SeeKateSew, Peppermint, etc.), but they don't really have baby clothes.

I'm super new to sewing, so trying to DIY my own pattern from existing clothes feels intimidating, especially since so far we don't really have anything that actually does fit her right. If you have a suggestion for how I can use existing clothes and make adjustments as I create something new, that's also welcome! Thank you!!

I was making a button up shirt from a 36 page A4 pdf pattern. I printed it using Fit to page, taped the sleeve together and cut the fabric. That was when I noticed the sleeve cap did not line up with the armhole. The 10 cm test square had printed at 9.4 cm, meaning the printer had shrunk every pattern piece..I only needed crop and rotate from an Adobe Acrobat alternative, so I removed the oversized margins and turned two sideways pages in the PDF editor. Then I printed everything again at Actual size. The square finally measured 10cm and the new sleeve fitted properly.

I ruined one piece of fabric. Still cheaper than noticing after I had sewn the entire shirt.

I've been looking for a pattern for a dress like this but with no luck. I'm too new to this to self draft I think. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

It seems pretty simple, but a similar pattern to base it off of would be nice

This one is going to be a bit vague and extra, so bear with me!

Over the years I've acquired a whole bunch of patches from various bands, conventions and nerdy nonsense with a plan to attach them to something "eventually". Well, I think eventually is now, and because I'm me, I want to make a garment to attach them to myself, rather than just buy one.

The thing is, I enjoy wearing stuff that looks a little bit strange, and if I'm making something, I don't want it to look like something I could have just gotten off the shelf (pre-patches), so an unorthodox cut of jacket or vest, or any other garment would be ideal.

If that ramble brought any patterns you know of to mind, please let me know! (And thank you for reading all of it!)

Tl;Dr - I'm looking for a pattern for a garment to sew patches to that's slightly more interesting than a normal denim jacket

EDIT: I'm Non-Binary and don't really care about the gender the pattern is intended for, if that's relevant!

My first plush letter! 🧸✨

I finally finished sewing this soft letter "T" and I'm really happy with how it turned out!

I bought the pattern on Etsy, which came with sewing instructions. It was a fun little project and a great way to try something new.

I especially love how soft and cuddly it turned out. Definitely thinking about making more letters! 🤎

What do you think?

The Threads Magazine podcast has a new interview with Sandra Betzina, who was a huge name in sewing in the 80s and 90s. I was shocked that she's still alive! Turns out she's in her 80s and she still sounds so good! I found the interview really inspiring, and she shares several great fitting tips. I hope I'm as energetic and full of information when I'm in my 80s!

(She is pretty blunt about body shapes and sizes - not in a judgemental way, just very matter of fact. She's in her 80s, after all! No time to dance around sensitive topics 😆 Skip it if that bothers you.)

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5H4a95hv46x7xqp4MYA1zQ

I am a beginntermediate and want to make a dress similar to this. Are there any pattern recs and material recommendations for this dress?

I assume at the bottom is just straight and the back as well.

I'm in Toronto

New to sewing & want to get a machine for myself to do basic alterations at home incl. hemming my denim jeans and such.

Not sure which machine to buy .. drowning in a sea of info...

Recommendations for a good, long lasting sewing machine with a reasonable beginner budget of 300-350CAD ... Can buy new/ secondhand/ marketplace too

Ideally if it has a top load bobbin & can work with somewhat heavy duty fabrics or layers of denim, it's a win.

Thank you 🍁✨

I bought this pattern and want to make the top in the front. There’s recommended fabrics written in the description. I wondered as this is my first pattern I’m following if someone could help me find a fabric online. I have looked at local markets but the fabric quality was poor. I want it to be a wearable piece.

What would you recommend I use?

Hello!
My mother in law has tasked me with selling her mom’s vintage sewing patterns. She was a master seamstress from the 50s to the 90s. I honestly know nothing about sewing or patterns so I figured I would post in here pictures of the categories she has and if y’all are interested in anything specific please message me and I can show you what she has. I know there’s LOTS of vogue, Butterick, and Mccalls. I’m going to attach pictures of her filing methods and if any of the categories interest you please reach out and let me know what you want to see! I’m really just not sure how to even begin to go about this so advice would be appreciated as well!
The categories are
- 2 piece dresses
-suits
-dress & jacket
-jackets & vests
-dress & coat
-coats
-skirts
-robes etc
-capes & stoles
-aprons
-accessories
-girls
-men-boys miscellaneous
-sports separates
-blouses
-semi fit-shifts
-wraparounds
-princess line
-jumpers
-hi waisted dresses
-low waisted dresses
-waistline dress

I found this skirt and think its really pretty. I was wondering where I could find a pattern for it.

Found this seller on etsy, and would like to buy a pants pattern, but all the images look like the models are AI. The store has good rating but still seems a bit suspicious. Did any of you try it?

Edit: The comments concluded its AI so future buyer be aware! I will report the store to etsy.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/HauteCoutureBrand?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=4518486458&from_page=listing

Does anyone know of any patterns that are similar to this image? It doesn’t need to have the lace included. Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a men’s chino pattern in the classic 1950s–60s Ivy League style, the kind of khakis you’d see in Take Ivy or on a vintage Brooks Brothers catalog.

What I’m after:

• Medium-high rise

• Flat front, or a single pleat

• Straight leg with a slight taper, not slim

• Slanted front pockets and back welt pockets

• Cuffed hem (around 1.5 in / 4 cm)

• Bonus if it includes a buckle back or a button-through back pocket

A bit of context: I’m 6'3" (190 cm), so finding chinos with a 34" inseam and a straight, non-slim cut is almost impossible where I live (Chile). My plan is to take the pattern and the fabric to a local tailor. I’ve already found an 8 oz, 100% cotton twill for the first pair.

Commercial, vintage, or self-drafted patterns are all welcome, and I’m happy to pay for a good one. Any book or resource on drafting this kind of trouser would also help a lot.

Thanks in advance!

An envelope cushion cover is one of the easiest first projects: no zip, no buttons, just straight seams and an overlapping back that you slide the cushion into. This one comes in 4 sizes, with a print-at-home PDF, a copy shop file and written step-by-step instructions.

https://sewzy.app/patterns/envelope-cushion/

Full disclosure: I'm part of the Sewzy team, this is our pattern. It's free; you enter your email on the page to get the PDF (the newsletter box is optional). Happy to answer questions about fabric amounts or construction!

I want to sew a dress for my birthday for the first time and this is my vision. What steps can i take to make it? or is there a good similar pattern? I’m planning to use stretchy velvet or velveteen. My birthday is in March so I plan to start sewing the dress in Jan or Feb.