Pattern Wishlist: The Designs I’m Loving and Can’t Wait to Sew

I’m so excited to dive into the latest spring and summer sewing patterns, and I can’t wait to share my top picks with you! These patterns are from Butterick’s latest pattern collection, highlighting some of my favorite designs for spring and summer. We will discuss tiered dresses, unique sweatshirts, and versatile lounge wear, offering insights into fabric requirements and potential modifications. If you’re looking for fresh sewing inspiration and pattern ideas, this video is packed with helpful tips and style recommendations for your next project.

Transcript

Hi everyone, my name is Teria with Peace and Make, and today I’m going to be talking about Butterick’s latest collection. I was browsing the Simplicity website and noticed some really cute spring patterns. Actually, I think it’s their spring catalog… oh wait, no, it’s the summer lookbook! Anyway, I wanted to share some of the patterns I’m excited about. I’m also trying to resist the temptation to buy them all right now—though if they go on sale, I might grab a few. But honestly, I already have a ton of patterns and projects lined up, so I’m just here to talk about the ones that caught my eye!

So let’s dive in. The first pattern is Butterick 6993. At first, I wasn’t sure about it because it’s tiered. I do like tiered designs, but I wasn’t sure if I liked it enough to make it. But after thinking about it, yes, I do! I love it. The Rick rack detail on this pattern is super cute. I didn’t think I’d be into Rick rack, but it’s totally working for me. What do you think? It’s just adorable!

I also love the neckline, especially with the standing collar. It’s such a nice detail. And the fabric they’ve used looks amazing. I really like the bell sleeves too. I’ve actually made another shirt with bell sleeves from a Vogue pattern, and I really enjoyed it. It was a yellow linen shirt, and the sleeves were just so fun. I think I’m officially a fan of bell sleeves now! But since I live in Georgia, where it gets super hot in the summer, I’ll probably end up going with the sleeveless version of this dress for practical reasons. But I still adore those sleeves.

Here’s another close-up of the sleeves. They’re cute, but I think I’d go sleeveless for summer. Now, let’s talk fabric requirements for this one. For my size, between 12 and 14, and for View B (with the sleeves), I’m going to need a fair amount of fabric. It’s crazy how much more fabric you need for sleeves! For this view, it goes from 2.5 yards to 5 yards—yes, 5 yards! Sleeves really add up.

But I know some great places where I can get fabric at a decent price when I’m buying in bulk, so I’m not too worried about it. One of my go-to spots is Hobby Lobby. I know it can be a controversial choice, but they often have sales, like 40% off fabric every other week, and I know exactly when the sales are. I don’t go every week, but it’s a great option when I’m ready to shop in person. If I don’t head to Hobby Lobby, I’ll swing by Joann Fabrics.

Moving on, I also love this Butterick pattern. It’s a dress with both a short and long version. I’m especially drawn to the short one. It’s so cute, and I love the zipper detail! I also like the collar—it’s just the perfect touch. I think the short version would be amazing for summer, but I might make the long version and add a belt. It’s just one of those designs I could see myself wearing all the time.

After this, I’ll go back to the first dress to check out the line drawings, but before I do, I noticed this dress has pockets, which is a big win for me! The back has this cute yoke with a pleat down the center—it’s just so precious. Let’s look at fabric options. They recommend chambray, rayon, crepe, and French terry—all of which I love! French terry is one of my favorites. For this pattern, you’ll need 3 yards of fabric. That’s actually more than I expected, but I guess it’s because of the volume at the bottom.

Looking at the line drawings, it seems like it’s a pretty easy dress to sew up. The back panel wraps around the front, which reminds me of a blue corduroy dress I recently made. It had a similar design where the back merges into the front, so I think I’m becoming a fan of that style! The front has more detail than the back, which is a simple, one-piece design. There are darts in the sleeves, both front and back, which gives it a nice fit.

You could even add color-blocking or lace details for a really cute, custom touch. This pattern just feels like it has so much potential, and I think it would be fun to make. Now let’s check out this sweatshirt pattern. It’s something a little different from your usual crew neck style. I’ve seen so many sweatshirt patterns, but this one has such a unique design. I’m totally into it! The neckline is so cute, and I love the sleeve design too.

The ribbing detail is fantastic. It’s just a more interesting take on a sweatshirt, and I can definitely see myself wearing it. It’s casual, but still stylish enough for a quick trip out. I could wear this while running errands or working from home—it’s the kind of comfy, cute piece I love. I really like the 3/4 sleeve option, so I think I’d go for that version. The best part? You only need less than 2 yards of fabric for this pattern! That’s a huge win considering how much fabric some other patterns use.

Next, we have these pants that I think are super cute. I’ve seen pants with side ties before, but I like this version even more because the fit seems so comfy. I’ve been a little hesitant about elastic waistbands in the past, but I think I need to embrace them. My body changes a lot, and it’s frustrating when I make something and can’t wear it after a few months. So, elastic waistbands might be the way to go.

I also like that the pattern includes shorts. While I’m not super into shorts, the pants themselves are really cute. I’m between sizes 12 and 14, and I usually go for the 45-inch fabric width because I like to have a little extra fabric, especially if I want to make something else later. For these pants, I’d get about 3 to 3.5 yards to be on the safe side—just to account for my long legs.

The line drawings show that the pants have an elastic waistband, but I’m thinking I might modify them. I don’t love elastic in the front, but I could easily swap that out for a zipper or a non-elastic waistband in the front, leaving elastic only in the back. We’ll see! I’m definitely excited to make these.

Next up, I love this lounge top and dress pattern. I really like the pleats on the shirt—it gives it such a cute, relaxed aesthetic. And the collar! I’m obsessed with this type of collar—just a simple stand, no collar band. It’s a great style. I could totally see this being a go-to piece for working from home. It’s comfy, yet still polished enough if I need to step out for a bit.

It’s also perfect for meeting friends or running errands. I love casual, comfortable clothes, and this fits right in with my current aesthetic. And the dress is just as cute! It’s a knit, which I love, and I think it would be perfect in French terry. I’ve really been looking for more patterns that work well with French terry, and this is one of them.

The yardage for the dress is less than 2 yards, which is great because it’s a short, sleeve-less design. But I’d probably get around 2 to 2.5 yards just to be safe. Plus, it’s always good to have a little extra fabric, especially if you make mistakes (and we all do!). Having extra fabric on hand takes the stress out of the process.

Speaking of mistakes, don’t be hard on yourself when they happen! We’re not in a manufacturing setting where everything’s perfect every time. Mistakes are part of the learning process. That’s what seam rippers are for! I love my seam ripper—it’s like an eraser for your sewing. When in doubt, rip it out and start over.

Buying extra fabric might cost a little more upfront, but it’s worth it in the long run. I used to only buy the exact amount, but now I always grab a little more—especially when I’m trying a new pattern. Mistakes happen, and extra fabric gives me peace of mind.

Okay, this is the last one I want to talk about. I really like this dress, but there’s a catch: I don’t do halter dresses anymore. They used to look cute on me in my 20s, but now I just find them uncomfortable. The neck starts to hurt, and the weight pulls on one spot. So, if I get this pattern, I’d modify it by changing the halter neck into straps that go from front to back. I think that would work much better for me.

Other than that, this dress is adorable. I love the pleats and the fit-and-flare silhouette. The hem is just perfect—it’s such a cute, feminine touch. The back is simple, but I think I can make it work with my strap modification. What do you think? Should I get this one too when it goes on sale?

I’m asking because, last winter, I caught an amazing pattern sale, and I bought so many patterns for $1 or $2, and a few for $5. I went from having about 20 patterns to—well, I don’t even know how many I have now! The sale really helped me build up my pattern collection. But now, I find myself wanting more, especially when new collections come out. Do you think I should grab this one too?

Anyway, that’s all for today! I hope you enjoyed this deep dive into Butterick’s latest patterns. If you want me to do more videos like this, let me know in the comments! I had a blast geeking out over these designs, so I’ll probably do it again, even if you don’t ask.

If you liked the video, please subscribe, hit the notification bell, and give it a thumbs up. I hope you found some inspiration for your next sewing project. Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you next time. Bye!