NEW: CUSTOMIZE YOUR COLLARED BLOUSE OR DRESS YOUR WAY

For years, I’ve wanted to develop these new additions. My goal has always been to expand the possibilities of customization and give you even more freedom in your sewing creations. From wedding dresses to everyday blouses, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for with these customizable patterns!

Originally, my customizable patterns grew out of my experience creating made-to-measure garments for brides and their bridesmaids. That’s why they were primarily designed for fitted dresses with a defined waistline.

But after seven years of developing this range of patterns, I wanted to take things further. I wanted to offer garments designed for everyday wear—pieces that are easy to style throughout the year and that naturally belong in a handmade wardrobe. After all, I wear far fewer dresses in winter than I do in summer.

From this reflection came an obvious idea: to create the ideal blouse pattern—the kind you want to sew again and again, in different fabrics, with different details, adapting it to the seasons and your mood.

And for quite some time now, many of you have been suggesting the same thing: collars. It was finally time to make it happen.

This project led me to ask myself many questions. How could I integrate all these new possibilities into the existing customization system without making it more complicated? My goal was simple: offer more customization while keeping the experience accessible and intuitive. From the very beginning, I have wanted my patterns to be usable by all sewists, from beginners to experienced makers. Although their design differs from the patterns offered by other brands, it is essential to me that they remain easy to use and enjoyable to sew.

So today, I’m delighted to introduce a small revolution within the concept: the arrival of collar patterns, along with the possibility of creating your own customized blouse or straight dress pattern.

Essential: The New Bodice Pattern at the Heart of the Customization Concept

Everything begins with Essential, the new bodice pattern that becomes the foundation of the customization system.

At first glance, it’s a simple top pattern. But from this base, you can create four different versions:

• A simple fitted dress

• A button-front fitted dress

• A simple straight blouse or dress

• A button-front straight blouse or dress

All of these versions are compatible with the collar patterns and sleeve patterns.

The fitted dress can also be paired with a skirt pattern to create a complete dress. One small detail: only skirt patterns are compatible, so this design is not intended to be transformed into a jumpsuit.

I deliberately designed a very clean bodice: bust darts (and waist darts for the fitted version), a round neckline, and minimalist lines. The idea was to create a simple, almost essential base that leaves maximum room for customization.

And that’s where the magic happens: depending on the collar, sleeves, fabric, and finishing details you choose, you can achieve completely different looks.

Simple or Button-Front: Two Closure Options

With Essential, you can choose between two closure finishes.

For the simple version, the front and back are cut on the fold. A keyhole opening at the center back allows the neckline to open enough to slip over the head while maintaining a very clean silhouette.

The button-front version adds a more refined detail and opens up exciting creative possibilities. It’s also the perfect opportunity to experiment with covered buttons, a finish I particularly love and have used for years in my work. I didn’t have time to include any on the samples sewn for this launch, but I fully intend to remedy that very soon.

Sizing

As with all of my customizable patterns, nothing changes here.

The pattern is available:

• In sizes 34 to 56

• With two bust options for each size (to save you from having to perform a full bust adjustment if needed)

• In three height options (to put an end to dresses that are too short or too long if you are petite or tall)

The goal remains the same: to simplify fitting adjustments as much as possible, particularly for fuller busts, while also reducing length alterations for petite and tall sewists.

Assembly Instructions

The instruction booklets are probably where the largest share of the work went.

To give you some background, I originally planned to release this pattern last autumn. But I couldn’t find the right way to organize all the different construction options within the instructions. So I set the project aside for a while and focused on developing the Boned Bustier instead.

And that turned out to be the right decision. When I returned to the project in January, everything became much clearer. I found the right structure for integrating this new bodice and the collars into my existing customization system.

Throughout the instructions and pattern sheets, you’ll find various symbols designed to guide you easily through the many options available.

I carefully worked through every detail so that you can move forward step by step, without hesitation, and fully enjoy the sewing process.

Collars: A New Category for Customization

A completely new category is joining the customization system: collar patterns.

For this launch, I’m offering four collar collections featuring my essentials. And this is only the beginning—I still have plenty of ideas for expanding this range. These collars have been designed exclusively for use with the Essential bodice.

The idea is simple: to allow you to build your pattern library over time according to your sewing desires, without having to purchase a complete new pattern every time. That is the true strength of the customization concept: making your sewing practice more efficient in terms of both budget and time.

Ruffle Collars

With the Ruffle Collars collection, you can choose from four ruffle widths to create either a delicate or more dramatic style.

The result varies greatly depending on the fabric you choose: the more structure the fabric has, the more sculptural and theatrical the collar becomes. I particularly love the white blouse featuring the mini Pierrot collar in lace, sewn using a trim from Stragier that I had kept from my years making wedding dresses.

Bow-Tie Collars

A classic element of the feminine wardrobe, the Bow-Tie Collars instantly bring elegance and movement to a blouse.

They can be tied at the front on the button-front version, or at the back on the simple version.

I’m offering two widths, creating two very different looks. I especially love the version sewn in Atelier Brunette crepe, paired with the Bishop sleeves and its oversized bow at the back—a silhouette I can easily imagine wearing in autumn.

Romantic Collars

There was no way I could launch this new collection without including the iconic Peter Pan collar, featured within the Romantic Collars collection.

In my very first sewing book, published in 2014, I already featured this detail on a straight dress. With this collection, I feel as though I’m returning to the roots of my sewing journey.

And for those who prefer more dramatic silhouettes, the oversized Puritan collar brings a stronger statement.

Signature Collars

It would have been impossible to imagine a collar collection without timeless shirt collars. The Signature Collars are available in three different widths, all mounted on a collar stand.

You can also choose to sew only the collar stand to create a beautiful minimalist band collar.

Endless Sewing Possibilities

With Essential and this new collection of collar patterns, the customization concept expands even further.

One bodice pattern, interchangeable collars, your favorite sleeves, your favorite fabrics—and an endless number of possible variations.

My goal remains the same as it has always been: to offer patterns that you can truly make your own, reinterpret according to your personality, and enjoy sewing over and over again without ever growing tired of them.

I can’t wait to discover all the versions you will create from this new foundation.

Happy sewing and enjoy exploring these new possibilities!