Yay! Thank you for posting this (even though you had to do the work twice 😅). Just a note on the sizing…I’m glad you mentioned that they are one size short of being size inclusive on the upper end. But I also think they need a few sizes added on the lower end to be truly inclusive. I usually sew an 8 or 10 in the big 4, and unfortunately the lowest size here is too big. Otherwise, I really liked some of the twists they had on some classic garments!
I really enjoyed this dive into Sew Different. It seems fresh and fun. I adore the Queen’s Gambit inspired patterns. I think fabric choice (as with any of these ) will make it work. Tone on tone might be a good option, rather than the higher contrast. Thanks for the extra effort and solving the tech issues. 😊❤
So refreshing after the Big 4 disappointment. I know you didn’t like some of the more cottage core looks but just picture them in different fabrics… add combat boots!!! I’d purchase so many of these. Thanks so much for all you do. Hugs
These are reading very Marcy Tilton to me. I love the aesthetic here. Actually that kind of shocks me, since I'm way more Laura Ashley and more of a classic look. A lot of these seem very Lagenlook with the longer layers. But her lines, all the architecture, I think I might have to go shopping. . .
If you like the artsy and folksy vibe and look, I would go with the Merchant and Mills patterns over this line. So much better in its styling and execution. I’m am eyeing the sun dress pattern, though.
I didn't love many of them. There are two or three I'd consider making. I agree with you that some of the examples leave a lot to be desired in fabrication, styling, fit, and maybe even construction. I really love Sew Different fabrics though! Beautiful!
Linen seems to be the medium for this artist's collection. Casual, comfortable, cute, chic, with a bit of classic: I like it. Not much curvy stuff happening so it is a bit boxy in the overall concept. I expect Sew Different will be successful. Good for her. Thank you, Lindsey
The Every day chic dress is one of my favorite makes. I've made three of them. They pull over the head and have shirring by the bodice and pockets. The pockets go way down! I love them like that. I put pipping on one of my dresses and black buttons. (fake buttons just for looks) The shirring at the very back needed to be higher for me cause I'm short-waisted. Give it a try it a really nice fit that is so comfortable. See the gal in the picture with the black and white dress? She has a great sew-along tutorial that I followed and wow it sews up fast. Add a tie to the v-neck or it will fall open and look floppy. The other option is as shown on the other models. No opening. Your head still fits through the opening.
Really enjoyed your take and analysis of each pattern and the designer as a whole. I recently got the bubble jacket but have not made it yet. Only found one old sew along that later I couldn’t find again but apparently it was not a complicated sew. I’m drawn to the artsy but I do think fitting will require toils.
Some of these designs are really nice. And this pattern, as you’ve noted, is great. But this “interpretation” of it 32:28 looks like a gingham check paper bag. Maybe if they’d even bothered to iron it…a little? I do believe there’s a kind of “slob” look that’s supposed to be chic. I do like some things to have at least a tad of “crisp” and not look like you slept in them. 🫤
Hi, Lindsay! Love your reviews. I somehow missed this one but as you asked am here to give my two cents. From other comments you know my long experience will rear it's head! I think this designer is very talented. I really like her vision. Her way of dividing the garments with the refreshing style lines we don't normally see as well as unique and clever dart placement show great talent. I really like that. However, overall I had some issues here. Some? I had quite a few. While only indirectly affecting how we would make the garments, I think her big issue is more merchandising/marketing. If you look closely you will find many of her technical drawings don't match the garment, some hardly at all. Some tech drawings are missing design lines seen in the dresses completely. It totally confused me. Next, and I am repeating the "frumpy" word from another commentor, her hemlines seem to be dated. They are all over and just not in flattering places. I think some change there could really make a lot of these garments look better. Next, can we just iron the freakin' clothes? I get the washed linen wrinkle esthetic, actually I love it, but that is not what I see here. These is not a linen collection. All the garments look a wrinkles mess and would show so much better if given a press, particularly those messy narrow hems. Enough about the merchandising! I see lots of fit issues here. I saw one dress that fit well, the dress with one dart and blocks of fabric on the front bodice. I noticed all garments are made with cut on sleeves. Cop out? Lack of ability? I am going with the second because the fit issue you noticed in the armscyes is repeated again and again. My opinion is it is due to cutting the top of the shoulder and sleeve at the wrong angle as well as the height of the lower armscye. You see it in all the garments. A well fitting cut on sleeve should have on large wrinkle, simulating and armscye seam, at the armscye and no more. These are a mess. This would have to be fixed before I would buy any ot these clever, refreshing designs. Thanks for letting us offer our opinions, Lindsay. I feel this designer has lots of talent but needs someone to help her bring these ideas to fabric reality for the rest of us in a way that will do her talents justice.
I noticed the patterns are 8 pounds and 50 pence. That is about $16. You quoted 8 dollars. You did not realize that it was a pound sign not a dollar sign
Just my personal opinion. These patterns were painful. I am so so impressed by your analytical skills and sweet disposition. That’s what I come for. But these patterns were so poorly presented and require so much guesswork and are so torturously trying-to-be-something I don’t relate at all. I’m an experienced sewster but I do not want to guess so hard about how a pattern will/might/could play out. Thanks for the lesson in perseverance and kindness, though. 🤎
I get that...I think there's a pay off for using Indie designers. They certainly don't always have a web design team to help with presentation. That's why I always ask those who have sewn the patterns before to leave a comment. Their experience is usually very telling!
Thank you so much for bringing Sew Different to my attention! Some interesting pieces. Bummer you call "frumpy" things I like. To each their own.
I love the Sew Different patterns! All of them!
Yay! Thank you for posting this (even though you had to do the work twice 😅). Just a note on the sizing…I’m glad you mentioned that they are one size short of being size inclusive on the upper end. But I also think they need a few sizes added on the lower end to be truly inclusive. I usually sew an 8 or 10 in the big 4, and unfortunately the lowest size here is too big.
Otherwise, I really liked some of the twists they had on some classic garments!
I really enjoyed this dive into Sew Different. It seems fresh and fun. I adore the Queen’s Gambit inspired patterns. I think fabric choice (as with any of these ) will make it work. Tone on tone might be a good option, rather than the higher contrast. Thanks for the extra effort and solving the tech issues. 😊❤
Some really cool and unique designs here. I like them a lot.
So refreshing after the Big 4 disappointment. I know you didn’t like some of the more cottage core looks but just picture them in different fabrics… add combat boots!!! I’d purchase so many of these. Thanks so much for all you do. Hugs
These are reading very Marcy Tilton to me. I love the aesthetic here. Actually that kind of shocks me, since I'm way more Laura Ashley and more of a classic look. A lot of these seem very Lagenlook with the longer layers. But her lines, all the architecture, I think I might have to go shopping. . .
If you like the artsy and folksy vibe and look, I would go with the Merchant and Mills patterns over this line. So much better in its styling and execution. I’m am eyeing the sun dress pattern, though.
I'm tempted to go for the balloon /tulip shaped dresses. They balance me silhouette. Huge bust small hips. Some nice ideas ❤😊
This is a new collection for me and I’m liking what I’m seeing ! Thankyou so much for your pattern reviews I love love love them
I didn't love many of them. There are two or three I'd consider making. I agree with you that some of the examples leave a lot to be desired in fabrication, styling, fit, and maybe even construction. I really love Sew Different fabrics though! Beautiful!
I loved a lot of the designs, thanks for covering Sew Different
Linen seems to be the medium for this artist's collection. Casual, comfortable, cute, chic, with a bit of classic: I like it. Not much curvy stuff happening so it is a bit boxy in the overall concept. I expect Sew Different will be successful. Good for her. Thank you, Lindsey
I liked most of them. They are definitely different.
Those retro designs are nice.
These are fabulous! I need to check them out!
I’m not feeling any of those. You are great. Thanks for all your hints.
The Every day chic dress is one of my favorite makes. I've made three of them. They pull over the head and have shirring by the bodice and pockets. The pockets go way down! I love them like that. I put pipping on one of my dresses and black buttons. (fake buttons just for looks) The shirring at the very back needed to be higher for me cause I'm short-waisted. Give it a try it a really nice fit that is so comfortable. See the gal in the picture with the black and white dress? She has a great sew-along tutorial that I followed and wow it sews up fast. Add a tie to the v-neck or it will fall open and look floppy. The other option is as shown on the other models. No opening. Your head still fits through the opening.
Great info! Thank you!!
Really enjoyed your take and analysis of each pattern and the designer as a whole. I recently got the bubble jacket but have not made it yet. Only found one old sew along that later I couldn’t find again but apparently it was not a complicated sew. I’m drawn to the artsy but I do think fitting will require toils.
Some of these designs are really nice. And this pattern, as you’ve noted, is great. But this “interpretation” of it 32:28 looks like a gingham check paper bag. Maybe if they’d even bothered to iron it…a little? I do believe there’s a kind of “slob” look that’s supposed to be chic. I do like some things to have at least a tad of “crisp” and not look like you slept in them. 🫤
Hi, Lindsay! Love your reviews. I somehow missed this one but as you asked am here to give my two cents. From other comments you know my long experience will rear it's head! I think this designer is very talented. I really like her vision. Her way of dividing the garments with the refreshing style lines we don't normally see as well as unique and clever dart placement show great talent. I really like that. However, overall I had some issues here. Some? I had quite a few. While only indirectly affecting how we would make the garments, I think her big issue is more merchandising/marketing. If you look closely you will find many of her technical drawings don't match the garment, some hardly at all. Some tech drawings are missing design lines seen in the dresses completely. It totally confused me. Next, and I am repeating the "frumpy" word from another commentor, her hemlines seem to be dated. They are all over and just not in flattering places. I think some change there could really make a lot of these garments look better. Next, can we just iron the freakin' clothes? I get the washed linen wrinkle esthetic, actually I love it, but that is not what I see here. These is not a linen collection. All the garments look a wrinkles mess and would show so much better if given a press, particularly those messy narrow hems. Enough about the merchandising! I see lots of fit issues here. I saw one dress that fit well, the dress with one dart and blocks of fabric on the front bodice. I noticed all garments are made with cut on sleeves. Cop out? Lack of ability? I am going with the second because the fit issue you noticed in the armscyes is repeated again and again. My opinion is it is due to cutting the top of the shoulder and sleeve at the wrong angle as well as the height of the lower armscye. You see it in all the garments. A well fitting cut on sleeve should have on large wrinkle, simulating and armscye seam, at the armscye and no more. These are a mess. This would have to be fixed before I would buy any ot these clever, refreshing designs. Thanks for letting us offer our opinions, Lindsay. I feel this designer has lots of talent but needs someone to help her bring these ideas to fabric reality for the rest of us in a way that will do her talents justice.
Artsy fartsy me loooves this collection
I noticed the patterns are 8 pounds and 50 pence. That is about $16. You quoted 8 dollars. You did not realize that it was a pound sign not a dollar sign
Just my personal opinion. These patterns were painful. I am so so impressed by your analytical skills and sweet disposition. That’s what I come for. But these patterns were so poorly presented and require so much guesswork and are so torturously trying-to-be-something I don’t relate at all. I’m an experienced sewster but I do not want to guess so hard about how a pattern will/might/could play out. Thanks for the lesson in perseverance and kindness, though. 🤎
I get that...I think there's a pay off for using Indie designers. They certainly don't always have a web design team to help with presentation. That's why I always ask those who have sewn the patterns before to leave a comment. Their experience is usually very telling!
Oooooh that layer dress photo is indeed terrible, her arms look like matchsticks and I don’t know whether to laugh or cringe!