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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On the 14th of April 2013 the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh collapsed, tragically killing 1134 workers and injuring over 2,500 more.
Every year we commemorate this devastating and avoidable loss of life and advocate for better working conditions for all during Fashion Revolution Week, which runs from 22nd-28th April in 2026.
This year there are different themes for each day of the week, with the annual Mend In Public day falling right in the middle, on Saturday 25th April.
This is your cue to gather your community, settle in and commit some time, attention and creativity to mending your clothes in the pursuit of extending their life in your wardrobe. Be it patching, embroidery, sewing or stitching, there are many ways to resolve structural and aesthetic issues in your garments that will see you donning them for years to come!
If it’s a bit tricky to get mending on the day itself (it will be ANZAC Day here in Australia) then fear not. Any time is the right time for mending so if you need to take needle in hand on another day that will do just fine!
Comment below if you know of any events you`d like to share happening in your community.
Learn more and get involved:
@FashionRevolutionAustralia
@Fash_Rev
FashionRevolution.org
#FashionRevolution #WhoMadeMyClothes #MendInPublicDay
“This is just a reminder to you to go for your big dreams! They might just work out.” ❤️
And we’re so glad you did, Emma!
From @CinnamonDaisyStudio:
No biggie, I’m just in a really cool magazine 🥹
When @Laura_The_Maker reached out to me last year to ask if I’d be interested in being featured in @PeppermintMagazine I didn’t hold back. I 100% fan girled 🤣 it was obviously a yes!
Getting to talk about the positive impact sewing your own clothes has on your body image is the BEST. I started sewing my own clothes because the standard doesn’t fit me. But I wasn’t expecting to heal my body image at the same time. What a wonderful byproduct ❤️🩹
So this is just a reminder to you to go for your big dreams! They might just work out ❤️
Mother`s Day Chocolate Treats Subscription Special! 🌟
This very sweet subscription offer comes with some glorious goodies, thanks to our friends at @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo!
Our lovely community manager Em, runs us through the offer.
SUBSCRIBE FOR $79 AND RECEIVE:
🌟 1 x 12-month Peppermint Subscription!
PLUS!
🌟 Vegan, gluten-free, 43% cocoa, Certified-Organic Taming The Jackalope Drinking Chocolate from @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo
🌟 Vegan, gluten-free, 70% cocoa, Certified-Organic Ship To Wreck Chocolate Flakes from @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo
🌟 Issue 64 (includes a free code for the #PeppermintDaisyDress digital sewing pattern!)
🌟 A5 art card of our exclusive ‘Together We Rise’ Issue 60 cover design by @LukeJohnMatthewArnold
🌟 All wrapped in fabric from @DoopsDesigns
Price includes postage! This special offer is available to Australian addresses only. Don`t miss out – there`s limited numbers!
🌟 Link in bio!
#PeppermintMagazine #MothersDay
Calling all brands who give a damn! 📣
Bookings for our wonderful Sew&Tell digital issue are now open – if you are an awesome creative brand that fits right in with Peppermint`s ethos of style, sustainability, sewing and substance, get in touch. Or if you know of one who might be keen – tag them below. We have packages for budgets both big and small, but spots are limited, so don`t wait too long to get in touch!
Drop us a line at Mandy@PeppermintMag.Com for a chat with Mandy, our lovely advertising manager – she`ll help you find the best way to share your good work with our awesome audience.
We`d sew love to work with you! ✨️🧵✨️
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💛 BFF GIVEAWAY 💛
Generous, messy, creative, spiky, warm, enigmatic… our best friends come in many flavours. But they all have one thing in common: they make the world a far better, more interesting place to be.
Inspired by Sam and Sadie’s complicated ‘forever’ bond in Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by @GabrielleZevin (a firm Peppermint fave ‘friendy’ read), we’ve rounded up some iconic fictional duos from books, movies and TV - the ride-or-dies, bosom buddies, chosen family, the ‘you’re-my-person’ people.
They all remind us that the non-romantic kind of love is always worth the effort (and it’s often the kind that lasts!). Think Anne Shirley and Diana Barry, Calvin and Hobbes, Snoopy and Woodstock, Eloise and Penelope… Head to the link in bio to read the full story and meet them all!
We’ve got two copies of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow to gift to one lucky Peppermint reader and their bestie, thanks to @PenguinBooksAus.
To enter:
✨Follow us and @PenguinBooksAus
✨Tag your best friend in the comments
✨Tell them why they’re so darn great!
Because as Sadie tells Sam: true collaborators in life are rare. And very much worth celebrating.
Winner drawn Tuesday 21 April 2pm. Australian addresses only. Good luck! 📖
#BFF #BookGiveaway #TomorrowAndTomorrowAndTomorrow
Mother`s Day Chocolate Treats Subscription Special! 🌟
It`s almost time to celebrate that special person in your life who has motherly energy – mum, aunty, single parent, queer parent, grandparent, caregiver... or maybe just someone who happens to love getting chocolate treats (and hey, maybe that someone is YOU!).
This very sweet subscription offer comes with some glorious goodies, thanks to our friends at @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo!
SUBSCRIBE FOR $79 AND RECEIVE:
🌟 1 x 12-month Peppermint Subscription
PLUS!
🌟 Vegan, gluten-free, 43% cocoa, Certified-Organic Taming The Jackalope Drinking Chocolate from @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo
🌟 Vegan, gluten-free, 70% cocoa, Certified-Organic Ship To Wreck Chocolate Flakes from @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo
🌟 Issue 64 (includes a free code for the #PeppermintDaisyDress digital sewing pattern!)
🌟 A5 art card of our exclusive ‘Together We Rise’ Issue 60 cover design by @LukeJohnMatthewArnold
🌟 All wrapped in fabric from @DoopsDesigns
Price includes postage! This special offer is available to Australian addresses only. Don`t miss out – there`s limited numbers!
🌟 Link in bio 🌟
#PeppermintMagazine #MothersDay
