As sustainably-minded garment makers, our goal is to make items that will have a long life and see lots of use. But what about when our bodies change? Everyone experiences fluctuations in shape and size, so in this solo episode I explore how we can future proof our garment projects to accommodate that fact.

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Outerwear patterns

Coats and jackets:

  • The Richmond Coat by Tessuti (up to 48” bust)
  • Flow Jacket and Coat by Atelier Scammit (up to 56” bust)
  • Traveller Coat by Bella Loves Patterns (up to 44” bust, available in 2 heights)
  • Nova Coat and Jacket by Papercut Patterns (up to 46.5” bust)
  • Nova Curve Coat and Jacket by Papercut Patterns (up to 60.6” bust)

Cardigan patterns:

My current favourite:

  • Jamie Cardigan by Ready to Sew (up to 42” bust)

Patterns for cardigans worn open:

  • Blackwood Cardigan by Helen’s Closet (up to 62” bust)
  • Kinder Cardigan by MIY Workshop/Wendy Ward (up to 48” bust)
  • Fjord Cardi by Papercut Patterns (up to 46.5” bust)

Image source: Papercut Patterns

Shawl pins and closures:

  • Metal shawl pins and closures from Textile Garden
  • Other shawl pins from Textile Garden

Image source: Textile Garden

Wrap style cardigan patterns:

  • Coppelia Cardi by Papercut Patterns (up to 46.5” bust)
  • Pearl Cardigan by Tilly and the Buttons (up to 60” bust)

Top, dress and jumpsuit patterns

Boxy Woven tops/dresses:

  • Block Tee by Paper Theory Patterns (up to 56” bust)
  • Georgia Tee and Dress by Elizabeth Suzann Studio (up to 58” bust)

Image source: Elizabeth Suzann Studio

Oversized style patterns:

  • Olya Shirt and Dress by Paper Theory Patterns (up to 56” bust)
  • Ellsworth Shirt by Merchant and Mills (up to 55” bust)
  • Mara Oversized Sweater by kdornbier designs (up to 46” bust)

Trapeze shaped patterns:

  • The Trapeze Dress by Merchant and Mills (up to 42” bust)
  • Minttu Swing Top by Named Clothing (up to 46” bust)
  • Rumi Tank by Christine Haynes (up to 56” bust)

Top and dress patterns with gathering or pleating at the neckline or into a yoke or panel:

  • Roscoe Blouse and Dress by True Bias (up to 44.5” bust)
  • Roscoe Blouse and Dress by True Bias (up to 57.5” bust)
  • Petite Choses Blouse and Dress by Atelier Scammit (up to 45” bust)
  • Vali Dress and Top by Pattern Fantastique (up to 51.5” bust)
  • The Florence Top and Dress by Merchant and Mills (up to 55” bust)
  • Lisa Dress by Tessuti (up to 42” bust)
  • Hinterland Dress by Sew Liberated (up to 58.5” bust)

Image source: Sew Liberated

Wrap dress and jumpsuit patterns:

  • The Zadie Jumpsuit by Paper Theory Patterns (up to 56” bust)
  • Hali Wrap Dress and Jumpsuit by Named Clothing (up to 53” bust)
  • Kielo Wrap Dress and Jumpsuit by Named Clothing (up to 53” bust)
  • The Etta Dress by Merchant and Mills (up to 55” bust)
  • Wildwood Wrap Dress by Sew House Seven (up to 49” bust)
  • Wildwood Wrap Dress Curvy by Sew House Seven (up to 58” bust)
  • St Germain Wrap Dress by Liesl + Co. (up to 46” bust)

‘Faux-fit and flare' dress patterns:

  • ZW Gather Dress by Birgitta Helmersson (up to 61” bust)
  • Lyra Dress by Tilly and the Buttons (up to 61” bust)

Elasticated waist dress and jumpsuit patterns:

  • Lotta Dress by Tilly and the Buttons (up to 51” bust)
  • Asha Dress by Style Arc (up to 68” bust)
  • Nova Jumpsuit by True Bias (up to 44.5” bust)
  • Nova Jumpsuit by True Bias (up to 57.5” bust)
  • Trillium Dress and Tunic by Made by Rae (up to 59” bust)
  • Lennox Boilersuit by Homer + Howells (up to 49” bust)
  • Sofia Dress and Top by Victory Patterns (up to 44” bust)
  • Sofia Dress and Top by Victory Patterns (up to 58” bust)

Image source: True Bias

Skirt, trouser, pinafore and dungarees patterns

Elasticated waist skirt patterns:

  • Mave Skirt by True Bias (up to 46.5” hip)
  • Mave Skirt by True Bias (up to 59.5” hip)
  • Sofia Pencil Skirt by Threads by Caroline (up to 50” hip)

Image source: Threads by Caroline

My favourite elastic waist trouser patterns:

  • Luna Pants by Made By Rae (up to 59” hip)
  • Arden Pants by Helen’s Closet (up to 58” hip)

Partly-elasticated trousers and shorts patterns:

  • Emerson Pants and Shorts by True Bias (up to 46.5” hip)
  • Emerson Pants and Shorts by True Bias (up to 61.5” hip)
  • Dani Shorts and Pants by True Bias (up to 46.5” hip)
  • Dani Shorts and Pants by True Bias (up to 61.5” hip)
  • Rose Pants by Made by Rae (up to 62” hip)
  • Aina Trousers and Culottes by Named Clothing (up to 56” hip)

Image source: Named Clothing

Buttonhole elastic:

Image source: William Gee

Amazing Check Your Thread listener Hinerangi @duckgoesoink experimented with hacking the Megan Nielsen Dawn Jeans pattern to include buttonhole elastic in the back of the waistband (shared through Stories).

Trouser patterns with adjustable straps:

  • Mitchell Trousers by Closet Core Patterns (up to 61” hip)
  • Square Pants by Stoxx Patterns (up to 63” hip)

Pinafore and dungarees patterns:

  • Greta Dungarees by Made My Wardrobe (up to 53” hip)
  • Yanta Overalls by Helen’s Closet (up to 58” hip)
  • Heyday Dungarees by Waves and Wild (up to 63” hip)
  • Ivy Pinafore by Jennifer Lauren Handmade (up to 63” hip)

Image source: Jennifer Lauren Handmade

Bias cut patterns:

  • Sadie Slip Dress by Tessuti (up to bust 42”)
  • Evie Bias Skirt by Tessuti (up to 48” hip)

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