Showing posts with label CowlDrape. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CowlDrape. Show all posts

23 March 2023

Samples of the Turnback Tee Drape

We've all seen this particular style over the past few years on the catwalk and in the shops.  But unlike many fashion trends I think this one will be good for quite a while.  It's so flattering with the distracting diagonal drape across the tummy and hip area.

I've featured this particular pattern making move twice on this blog:  Twist and Turnback Top 2013,the Twist Jumper 2013 & Turnback Thinking 2014.  I've also made a number of samples in the past few years, testing different materials and design details.  I'm going to share those samples here and let you know which of the features and fabrics work the best for this design.


 Checkout all the blog post detail on my website blog 'wellsuited'.

14 February 2018

First Sample - Twist or Cowl Drape Shift

Well, it's been a long time since I posted this Pattern Puzzle - Twist or Cowl Shift Dress. And I've just rediscovered the sample photos to share with you. Here's the original image of the Pattern Puzzle to remind everyone where we started.

Click through to my website blog for all the sampling detail.

28 November 2017

Learn Pattern Making using my Online Resources

In this post I hope to link up some of the illustration and pattern making resources I have on the website so you can plan your pattern making creativity over the summer break. These suggestions are a combination of free access blog posts, and  digital product you can buy and download.

Detailed pattern making notes to make your own sewing patterns.

Click through to the well-suited blog on my website for the rest of the blog post. :)


20 May 2016

Vivienne Drape Dress - First Sample

Back in the land of blogging and I've made a #FirstSample of the Vivienne Drape Dress.  I always start with my Women's Fitted Block to build a pattern plan for the development of this special design.


You'll find all the sample making detail on the website blog.

17 May 2016

Pattern Puzzle - Rectangle Drape Skirt

For this #PatternPuzzle post you have an elegant Drape Skirt that can be cut from a basic skirt block or any pencil skirt pattern. I've included some interesting seaming that works well with the drape feature that's included in the front left skirt.


Find all the pattern making detail here.

23 April 2016

Pattern Puzzle - Issey Miyake Single Twist

Does anyone remember this little pattern puzzle from last year? It's been a long time waiting in the wings for posting. An innovation on an existing theme, this single twist is ingenious in that a cowl is built as part of the twist pattern. The final effect being a more subtle twist with a relaxed fit.


If you'd like to learn my method for creating Twist Drape Patterns I have a detailed worksheet for making Jersey Twist Patterns. For just a few dollars you'll get the same training you'd get if you came to the workshop in my studio.

Find all the post detail here.

19 December 2015

First Samples and Pattern Insights

There are two new blog posts on the website:


Join us on Facebook to get the heads up for new samples and blog posts.

Subscribe to the website and I'll keep you informed about workshops, new worksheets and blocks and pattern downloads when they are available.
Wishing you all a fabulous Festive Season! :)

05 December 2015

First Samples and Pattern Puzzles

Catch up with all the posts on the new blog, on the website!
Drape Tube Skirt
First Sample - The Dolman Coat
Asymmetric Cowl Drape

For the story of the week and all the pattern making detail for the jump across to our new blog location on the website.  See you soon!  :)


19 May 2015

Pattern Puzzle - Wrap Layer Top #1

The designs used in last Saturdays #PatternPuzzle conversation are the surplus design developments from the Layered Shirt post of a few weeks ago. They have been lying around on the work table all that time and I did't have the heart to throw them out. Then I realised that was because I really wanted these two tops for myself. They were just the kind of thing I needed in my wardrobe. Saved from the shredder, these designs are similar but different enough to entice you to make both. I will be dealing with them in two separate posts to make sure I cover all the detail. :)


For all the pattern making detail for the Wrap Layer Top #1 jump across to the website blog.

12 May 2015

Pattern Puzzle - Hi-Lo Drape Shift

The post is a little late this week as I am totally distracted by work that is going on in the backend of the website, setting up a members area. We have been working out the best content to make it both attractive and useful to fans and hope to open that members area very soon. Now back to the #PatternPuzzle that was such fun on Saturday with fans working getting to the answers super-fast. Then overnight, while I was asleep so many added sketches and photos and in one case an amazing mini-toile.


For all the pattern making detail for the Hi-Lo Drape Shift jump across to the website blog.

06 April 2015

Pattern Puzzle - Cowl Tee

It never ceases to amaze me how often I am drawn to this particular style of cowl drape.  You will find many examples in the #PatternPuzzles that have been presented here over the past few years.  This puzzle stars with the simplest of shapes and become an elegant tunic top.


For all the pattern making detail for the Cowl Tee jump across to the website blog.




09 March 2015

Pattern Puzzle - Double Drape Maxi

You may be forgiven for thinking that we often torture the stuffing out of our fabulous #PatternPuzzle fans.  Well, last Saturday was no exception.  I did a slightly tricky thing with a 'grown-on hood' and it was enough to make the pattern shapes very hard to read.  The idea I have is to cut this dress in a merino jersey.  That could be either a one-way or two-way stretch jersey.

The Double Drape in the Maxi refers to the #CowlDrape on the back of this dress and the #GatheredDrape on the centre front seam.  The hood styling may also be considered a #CowlDrape with the large tuck and the centre back line on the fold.


For all the pattern making detail for the Double Drape Maxi jump across to the website blog.

09 February 2015

Pattern Puzzle - Drape Back Dress

The simplest of shapes have a tendency to be the most difficult to solve in the pattern puzzle.  When there are no recognisable patten parts (armholes, necklines, etc.) a huge amount of creativity is needed to make sense of the pattern shape.  Each week our fans excel in their ability to work their way through the information, ask the best question and eventually win the day.  :)  They are the best!



02 February 2015

Pattern Puzzle - Handkerchief Fold Dress

At last the detail for the Saturday #PatternPuzzle is here!  My apologies for the delay to our usual posting but I had a little trouble with the graphics.  It was a wonderful round of creative answers and clever solutions that finally solved this puzzle.  Our handkerchief Fold Dress is so named because it struck me that the construction of this dress is much like a handkerchief with the corners folded into the centre.


For all the pattern making detail for the Handkerchief Fold Dress is on the website blog.

15 December 2014

Pattern Puzzle - Cowl Back Tee

We have had a good run lately with Cowl Drape styles and this week is no exception with the Cowl Back Tee.  Last week was the Vivienne Drape Dress featuring a Cowl Drape on the neckline and in the skirt.  And two weeks ago a reworking of The Drape Shift in a woven fabric for The Drape Shift - Woven.  You might say we are coming at the #CowlDrape thing from all directions.