Feeling Warm, Looking Cool: A Few of Our Fave Patterns to Sew Your Own Winter Wardrobe
- Words by Peppermint
words MORAG GREALY images SUPPLIED
Sew your own winter wardrobe with this quick roundup of a few of our fave patterns for the season. Whether you’re the casual tracksuit type or prefer a statement collar, we guarantee these projects will have you feeling warm while looking cool.
The Turtleneck
All hail the MVP of the winter wardrobe, the lightweight turtleneck skivvy. We love this piece because it works just as well when it’s the hero of your winter look or utilised as the layering legend it is. The Rise and Fall Turtleneck by Papercut Patterns offers both a flattering loose fit as well as a chic form fitting version. Opt for a stretch fabric like jersey and cotton or try it out in a merino wool for some serious insulation if you’re not a fan of the cold.
Sewing Level: Novice
Size Guide: 6 – 20
The Cape
The ultimate combination of outerwear and layering, the cape has flown under the radar for too long. That was, until this Vogue Pattern changed our minds. Try it out in a heavy wool fabric in check or by all means live out those Little Red Riding Hood dreams and make it in a bold cherry red! Pair it with your favourite long-sleeve top poking out underneath; from a stripe skivvy to a chunky knit or even the DIY turtleneck above.
Sewing Level: Very Easy
Size Guide: XS – XXL
The Matching Tracksuit
If you haven’t considered donning a matching tracksuit, are you even living in 2021? Everywhere you look, the humble tracksuit is having a serious moment and it seems like every retailer has their own iteration. We all know nothing will suit you better or be as satisfying as making your own so why not try out The Hickory Ensemble from Mood Fabrics in collaboration with SewYourView? This pattern also gets bonus points for being a free download and a unisex design! If you’re not normally confident with stretch fabrics, never fear – the elastic trims do all the heavy lifting while the rest of the garment is pure straight sewing. Choose a fleece lined fabric for extra comfort.
Sewing Level: Basic
Size Guide: 2 – 30
READ MORE: ALL WRAPPED UP – A FEW OF OUR FAVE HACKS OF THIS BELOVED PEPPERMINT PATTERN
The Renaissance Ruffle
Add some spice to your winter necklines with throwback influences that include the Renaissance era. The Elaine Top and Dress Pattern by Liam Patterns features a ruffle collar, balloon sleeve and your choice of hem length. This pattern is a little on the expensive side but you get six variations (including a reversible blouse, a reversible mini dress and a midi dress/coat) within the one pattern so you’ll definitely be getting your money’s worth. You could always opt for a sleeveless pattern hack come summertime, too!
Sewing Level: Intermediate
Size Guide: 4 – 18 (sizes up to 24 coming soon)
The Collared Dress
Speaking of collars, have you tried your hand at a Peter Pan collar this season? The Ivy pattern by Make by TFS is a must-have winter dress style. We picture it paired with your favourite ankle boot and a DIY cape over the top. Also included in this downloadable pattern is a peplum top, a sleeveless version, three collar options and two cuff options. We love this dress in autumnal-toned linens but it would also really pop in a print.
Sewing Level: Intermediate
Size Guide: 4 – 32
Peppermint Sewing School
Of course, there’s always Peppermint‘s fabulous free sewing patterns to sew your own winter wardrobe! With each quarterly edition, we work with a range of super-talented patternmakers to create an exclusive, totally original new pattern which we then release, along with instructions, to download for free! Head to the link here to see our full range of sewing patterns and then why not whip up a pair of wide-leg pants, slouchy cardigan or button-up jacket!
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Look, I don’t want to make anyone panic but IT’S DECEMBER!!! If you’re planning to give homemade gifts, you’re going to have to act fast. …
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🌻 The Paddington 🌻
This is a much-loved staple, created for Issue 50 in 2021. We love seeing the #PeppermintPaddingtonTop continually popping up in our feeds!
How stunning is our model Elon MelaninGoddessEfon – she told us it was one of the first times she had been asked to come to a shoot with her natural hair. 🌻
We worked with South African patternmaker Sarah Steenkamp of @FrenchNavyNow_ to create this wardrobe essential – the perfect puff-sleeve blouse. Raglan sleeves make it the ultimate beginner sew, plus the gorgeous back buttons let you add your own personal twist.
Pattern via the link in bio! 🪡
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Fabric: @Spoonflower
Model: MelaninGoddessEfon
“In the 1940’s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute. As purveyors of traditional craft, we felt it appropriate to revisit this design.”
Crafters have often been at the heart of many protest movements, often serving as a powerful means of political expression. @NeedleAndSkein, a yarn store in Minnesota, are helping to mobilise the craftivists of the world with a ‘Melt The Ice’ knitting pattern created by @Yarn_Cult (with a crochet pattern too), as a way of peaceful protest.
The proceeds from the $5 pattern will go to local immigrant aid organisations – or you can donate without buying the pattern.
Raise those needles, folks – art and craft can change the world. 🧶
Link in bio for the pattern.
Images: @Gather_Fiber @NeedleAndSkein @a2ina2 @KyraGiggles Sandi.204 @WhatTracyMakes AllieKnitsAway Auntabwi2
#MeltTheIce #Craftivism #Knitting #CraftForChange
TWO WEEKS TO GO! 🤩
"The most important shift is moving from volume-led buying to value-led curation – choosing fewer, better products with strong ethics, considered production and meaningful stories. Retailers have real influence here: what you buy signals what you stand for. At Life Instyle, this means using the event to discover and invest in small-scale, planet-considerate brands that align with your values and your customer’s conscience. Consumers don’t need more things; they need better things, and retailers play a key role in selecting, contextualising, and championing why those products matter."
Only two more weeks until @Life_Instyle – Australia`s leading boutique retail trade show. If you own a store, don`t miss this event! Connect with designers, source exquisite – and mindful – products, and see firsthand why this is Australia’s go-to trade show for creatives and retailers alike. And it`s free! ✨️
Life Instyle – Sydney/Eora Country
14-17 February 2026
ICC, Darling Harbour
Photos: @Samsette
#LifeInstyle #SustainableShopping #SustainableShop #RetailTradeEvent
Calling all sewists! 📞
Have you made the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress yet? Call *1800 I NEED THIS NOW to get making!
This gorgeous green number was modelled (and made) by the fabulous Lisa of @Tricky.Pockets 🙌🏼
If you need a nudge, @ePrintOnline are offering Peppermint sewists a huge 🌟 30% off ALL A0 printing 🌟 when you purchase the Special Release Waratah Wrap Dress pattern – how generous is that?!
Head to the link in bio now 📞
*Not a real number in case that wasn`t clear 😂
#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
8 Things to Know About January 26 - from @ClothingTheGaps:
Before you celebrate, take the time to learn the truth. January 26 is not a day of unity it’s a Day of Mourning and Survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It marks the beginning of invasion, dispossession, and ongoing colonial violence. It’s time for truth-telling, not whitewashed history.
Stand in solidarity. Learn. Reflect. Act.
✊🏽 Blog written by Yorta Yorta woman Taneshia Atkinson.
🔗 Link in bio of @ClothingTheGaps to read the full blog
#ChangeTheDate #InvasionDay #SurvivalDay #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #ClothingTheGaps
As the world careens towards AI seeping into our feeds, finds and even friend-zones, it`s becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
We just wanted to say that here at Peppermint, we are choosing to not print or publish AI-generated art, photos, words, videos or content.
Merriam-Webster’s human editors chose `slop` as the 2025 Word of the Year – they define it as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” The problem is, as AI increases in quality, it`s becoming more and more difficult to ascertain what`s real and what`s not.
Let`s be clear here, AI absolutely has its place in science, in climate modelling, in medical breakthroughs, in many places... but not in replacing the work of artists, writers and creatives.
Can we guarantee that everything we publish is AI-free? Honestly, not really. We know we are not using it to create content, but we are also relying on the artists, makers and contributors we work with, as well as our advertisers, to supply imagery, artwork or words created by humans. AI features are also creeping into programs and apps too, making it difficult to navigate. But we will do our best to avoid it and make a stand for the artists and creatives who have had their work stolen and used to train AI machines, and those who are now losing work as they are replaced by this energy-sapping, environment-destroying magic wand.
Could using it help our productivity and bottom line? Sure. And as a small business in a difficult landscape, that`s a hard one to turn down. We know other publishers who use AI to write stories, create recipes, produce photo shoots... but this one is important to us.
`Touch grass` was also a Merriam-Webster Word of the Year. We`ll happily stick with that as a theme, thanks very much. 🌿
