New Pattern Release!

Today I am releasing a new pattern: the Sumekko Dress!

The Sumekko dress came about after Sue from fadanista.com came to me to help her make a dress inspired by a visit to the Marimekko Exhibition in Bendigo. She wanted to make a sleeveless maxi dress with a giant print wrapping around the body. I was very excited about this project, and although Sue had brought a pattern with her, I suggested that we draft one that didn't have side seams, so the print could wrap uninterrupted - printing over seams can cause lumpy bleeds with the printing ink, and we wanted this to be smooth.

It was such a success, both in the fit, and the print, that we decided to do a collaboration and release the pattern and prints for others to enjoy too! The dress can be purchased as a stand-alone pattern, then if you want to print at a later date, you can buy the stencil on its own, or buy the two as a package.

This dress is soooo versatile! It looks amazing in lightweight knits for summer, or layering it with skivvies and making it out of heavy Ponte for winter like Anna from @anna.puddles made:

Suzy from @sewing_in_spain had fun hacking hers! Love the fabric combo and sleeves!

Or glam it up like Rhonda from @sewbussted, who took hers to a new level by making into an evening version, which has inspired me to do the same - imagine a sequin version! Look at the neckline and hem details - gorgeous!

And like all Pattern Union patterns, this is designed to be hacked, personalised, and made into your own design. Search the #sumekko hashtag on Instagram to see what other sewists have done.

Here is one of mine: I made it into a tie front singlet, which looks just as good worn back-to-front!

Sue and I have such a good time working together, we decided to make a video of the printing and sewing process. Neither of us are film makers, so this is a bit of fun, with tips and tricks, so head over to the Pattern Union Youtube channel and join us in the studio, or watch below!