Get Inspired by These Romantic Albion Blouses and Be Your Own Muse
- Words by Peppermint
The hills are alive with the sound of the Peppermint Albion Blouse, created in collaboration with sweet Sweden-based patternmaker Vanessa Hansen from Vanessa Hansen Studio and made possible by our good friends at Spoonflower!
To showcase the show-stopping possibilities of this beaut of a blouse – and to give you a healthy dose of sewspo to start your own – we asked four fantastic sewing influencers to create their own versions in a Spoonflower fabric of their choosing. The world’s largest marketplace of independent designs from global artists, Spoonflower is leading the way in sustainable textile printing. Their on-demand process significantly reduces materials, energy and water, and uses non-toxic inks and fabrics that are ethically sourced. We love!
From @FrocksAndFrouFrou’s gorgeous geometric gauze and @Leila.Makes’ leafy luxury to @AlissahThreads‘ fabulous florals and @Andrea_DJones‘ cool checks, beautiful blouses abound! Read on to hear all their secret thoughts on the pattern and get inspired to create your own version!
DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN NOW!
FROCKS AND FROU FROU
Fabric Choice – Organic Sweet Pea Gauze in Shape of Things
“I was thrilled to be invited by Peppermint Magazine to try my hand at this month’s free sewing pattern, the Albion Blouse! Designed by Vanessa Hansen Studio, and available in two different cup sizes up to a 50-inch waist, the Albion Blouse is a romantic wrap-front top with gorgeously full gathered sleeves, long cuffs fastened with rouleau button loops, and a darted bodice.
I had to learn a couple of new techniques, and it’s definitely one of those projects that allowed me to stretch myself, but the instructions were straightforward and easy to follow. The result is a lovely dreamy blouse that I enjoyed taking my time with.
I made it from an organic gauze fabric, courtesy of Spoonflower. The brightly coloured collage-style print is called Shape of Things and was designed by Janine Lecour. You can find the pattern in [Issue 54] of Peppermint Magazine, or you can download a free version via their website.”
LEILA MAKES
Fabric Choice – Cotton Poplin in INDRA POPPY SAGE Fabric
“This was a fun lil collab w Peppermint Magazine and Spoonflower for their newly released FREE pattern – the Albion Blouse designed by Vanessa Hansen Studio.
I made this blouse in a lovely printed cotton poplin designed by Holli Zollinger. I didn’t make too many modifications other than shortening the bodice by one to two inches and when all was done I didn’t love how loose the cuff was around my arm (it’s giving me business lady shoulder pad vibes?) so I had a stroke of genius and just tucked the cuffs in. I also opted not to use interfacing on the neckline because the fabric felt stiff enough on its own.
There are three hidden snap buttons on the inner wrap side and three cute lil buttons on the outside to create this wrap top and I couldn’t help but add one more lil snap button to keep the front wrap closed at my chest because this pattern was intended for a B cup (and includes a lovely/thorough instruction on how to do full and small bust adjustments!) but I just refused to do it.”
ALISSAH THREADS
Fabric Choice – Cotton Lawn in Autumn Floral – Blush Terracotta Fabric
“It’s been a hot minute since I’ve sewn and I miss it so much! I’ve literally had dreams about what I’m sewing next. I got sick and it took me OUT and I don’t mean out on a cute date unless you call a visit to the ER and losing my taste and smell a cute date. Thankfully I’m finally feeling better and I can’t wait to get back sewing!
Before I got sick, I got to sew the gorgeous new FREE Peppermint Magazine and Spoonflower Albion Blouse pattern designed by Vanessa Hansen Studio.
I made no modifications or hacks. It’s so perfect as is! I love the button details and a hint of a puff sleeve!”
ANDREA D JONES
Fabric Choice – Cotton Lawn in Neon Yellow & White Checker Fabric
“The Albion Blouse – the latest free pattern from Peppermint Magazine by Vanessa Hansen Studio . Made possible by Spoonflower who also printed this lemony checkered cotton lawn. I’m obsessed with checkers now and these cuffs on the Albion Blouse!”
Pop over to spoonflower.com for more inspiration, then download the free pattern and make sure you tag #PeppermintPatterns (and #PeppermintAlbionBlouse) in your creations!
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Disillusioned by the realities of fast fashion, design grads Emily May and Sidonie Moore ditched clothing for a business that finds fun in the everyday. Enter @TheNonsenseMaker: a collection of unique homewares, fun wall art, greeting cards and more that breathe life into Emily’s illustrations: “I love the idea of taking real-world objects and changing your perspective in a way that brings magic and whimsy into everyday life!”
In issue 64’s feature ‘It all makes sense’, we chat to the Naarm/Melbourne-based duo about their sustainability philosophy, TV re-runs and their commitment to local makers. At stockists now!
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#PeppermintMagazine #TheNonsenseMaker #LocalMakers #SustainableCraft
Any New Year’s resolutions on your list? We love this from @OtterBeeStitching - “be brave enough to suck at something new”.
There’s no points for perfection, but you’ll get a trophy for trying. If nothing else this year, take the leap and try something new.
#OtterBeeStitching #Embroidery #BeBrave #TrySomethingNew #EmbroideryArt
Sunday serving suggestion ☀️
Gorgeous photos from @JolieFemmeStore - who make sweet garments from vintage bedsheets.
#PeppermintMagazine #SlowSunday #SwitchOff #Unplug #ReadAMagazine
A toast to the old you 🥂
We wholeheartedly love this post from the brilliant @EmilyOnLife:
“2026: Reinvent, burn it down, let it go (whatever it is). Year of the Snake it up. Exercise your boundaries, exercise your body, take one teeny step every day towards a life that feels better to be in.
But don’t you dare shit on your old self while you do it.
Hold yourself with reverence and tenderness and respect, because you got you this far. You did your very best with the information and tools you had at the time. You scraped yourself together, you made it work, you survived what felt impossible to survive: again and again and again.
You are perpetually in the process of becoming, whether you can feel it or not, whether or not you add it to your 2026 to-do list.“
Some very wise words from @Damon.Gameau to take us into 2026 🙌🏼
⭐️ We made it!!! ⭐️
Happy New Year, friends. To those who smashed their goals and achieved their dreams, and to those who are crawling over the finish line hoping to never speak of this year again (and everyone else in between): we made it. However you got here is enough. Be proud.
It’s been a tough year for many of us in small business, so here’s to a better year in 2026. We’re forever grateful for all your support and are jumping for joy to still be here bringing you creativity, kindness and community.
We’re also excited to be leaping into the NY with our special release sewing pattern – the Waratah Wrap Dress!
How great are our fabulous models: @Melt.Stitches, @KatieMakesADress and @Tricky.Pockets - and also our incredible Sewing Manager @Laura_The_Maker! 🙌🏼
Ok 2026: let’s do this. 💪🏼
#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #MeMade #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
