Cute As a Button! We’re Feeling Sew Inspired by These Belle Shirt Beauties
- Words by Peppermint
Have you made your own beautiful Peppermint Belle Shirt yet?Β
Created in collaboration with Modern Sewing Coβs marvellous Hetty Adams, this versatile blouse boasts some special features that will keep it a standout star in your wardrobe, from its statement bell sleeves and wide-set placket. You can even lengthen it and wear it as an adorable A-line mini dress!Β
To ring the bells in celebration of this glorious pattern and to give you a healthy dose of sewspo to start your own, we asked five fantastic sewing influencers to create their own versions in a Spoonflower fabric of their choosing.
From @TheLadyWhoLunchesβs beautiful botanical dress and @Gabby_Sewsβs plaid perfection to @TimeToSewβs terrific tiger print and @CaitSnyd_Sews‘s dopamine dressing realness, read on to hear all their secret thoughts on the pattern and get inspired to create your own version!
DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN NOW!
THE LADY WHO LUNCHESΒ
Fabric Choice: Cotton Sateen in Primary Pop BotanicalsΒ
Peppermint reached out to me to see if Iβd sew this pattern up and provided fabric. I enjoyed a lot of the elements of this pattern β especially the separate collar pieces. I think it was missing instructions for the hem. [Editorβs note: theyβre added now!] But I did a nice clean hem technique I usually use for shirts.β
I used Spoonflowerβs Cotton Sateen in Primary Pop Botanicals from Tara Normal. LOVE! And would you believe, my pattern matching is accidental? My buttons are all mismatched red from my stash!
GABBY SEWS
Fabric Choice: Organic Cotton Sateen in Americana Plaid
Iβm always down to try a new button-up shirt! This is the lovely Peppermint Belle Shirt released by Peppermint and designed by Modern Sewing Co who you well know is one of my faves! I had the opportunity to try out some printed fabric from Spoonflower for this make. I chose the Organic Cotton Sateen base with a simple plaid design and it was such a dream to sew and press. Nothing like taking a steamy iron to a crispy cotton!Β
I amped up the playful orangey-red plaid with candy-esque yellow buttons and made no mods, but feel that the sleeves are too long for me so Iβm not getting the full impact of the gathers and dramatic cuff. Next time Iβll shorten them by 1.5 inches! Iβd love to make this again in dark navy cotton for a very smart look.
CAIT SNYD SEWS
Fabric Choice: Cotton Poplin in Abstract Ocean β Electric Blue
Peppermint reached out to me earlier this year, asking if I would be interested in sewing their latest pattern, the Peppermint Belle Shirt. I was excited to work with them as they had such a big influence on me when I first started sewing β they have a library of βpay what you whatβ patterns from various indie designers! I got to choose my fabric from Spoonflower and went with this graphic abstract print since I was high on the βdopamine sewingβ journey. The graphic print goes well with the smock-style blouse. I think it would be lovely in a lightweight linen as well.
TIME TO SEW
Fabric Choice: Organic Cotton Sateen in Leopard Parade Blue on Magenta Fabric
A pink tiger print and shirt pattern proved to be an irresistible combination… Thanks, Peppermint and Spoonflower for making it happen! This is the Peppermint Belle Shirt in organic cotton sateen.
Pattern notes:
- Size 8. The body is slightly A-line shape β worth noting if youβre not someone who likes to wear shirts tucked in. I shortened the body a few centimetres as well.
- I could have shortened the sleeves by four to five centimetres but since I didnβt make a toile, it was too late by the time I realised. I compensated with extra tight cuffs so the sleeve doesnβt slip down onto my hand but the button angle isnβt perfect as a result.
- I used two buttons per sleeve cuff instead of one given the width of the cuff. The side effect of a tight cuff is that it emphasises the puff effect.
- And hurray for being able to use 15mm buttons! I have loads in my stash. And pattern matching across the front of course!
Fabric notes:
- Spoonflowerβs Organic Cotton Sateen is quite thick and weighty with a very smooth hand feel thanks to the sateen weave.
- Itβs not crispy like poplin and not much drape either so works very well for a long-sleeved button-down shirt β if youβre looking for a light summer shirt Iβd give this a miss as itβs too thick.
All in all, a fun make in a print and colour that feels very me!
Pop over to spoonflower.com for more inspiration, then download the pattern and make sure you tag #PeppermintPatterns (and #PeppermintRozelleSlip) in your creations!Β
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
Brighten up your inbox with our not-too-frequent emails featuring Peppermint-related news, events, competitions and more!
explore
MoreΒ articles
When you hang a painting on a wall, the story stays put. But when you wear a beautifully made garment that may as well be a piece of art? The story travels. It moves through the world with you β…
We all do it: fire up the car for a 5-minute drive to pick up groceries, drop off sewing supplies, or run a quick errand…
Hereβs a question: who decided that natural fibres arenβt a great fit in activewear? For Geraldton mum-of-four Jade Payne, that question became paramount after a…
Fancy a getaway in a heritage building that was once a hospital, an orphanage AND a school in a previous life? Despite what your initial…
When the algorithm gods reward dance trends over hand-thrown ceramics, and building a website feels more stressful than a tax return, whereβs a maker to…
Time-travelling lungfish floating in a mosaic of glass tiles, a four-breasted female empowerment goddess cast in bronze, and a striking botanical sculpture spanning 15 metres,…
Hang out with us on Instagram
βCrafting is something that has come naturally since I was small and I just havenβt stopped. When I was smaller, I was interested in the end result. As Iβve gotten older, I realise itβs the process that keeps me coming back to craft. Itβs a meditative state for me and I find the repetitive action of the stitching and felting quite therapeutic.ββ
β
Craving a world filled with warmth and whimsy? Itβs all in a dayβs work for textile artist @Cat_Rabbit, whose latest book, βTrinketsβ, is bursting with felty food friends to make and cherish. Cat invited us into her universe, filled with cheeky characters, layered storytelling and loads of humour. β
β
Plus: try the super sweet pattern for Catβs Lucky Pickle, perfect to make as a stocking stuffer, extracted from Trinkets. β
β
Read more from our βJust felt rightβ feature in Issue 64, at newsagents and stockists now!β
β
Photos: Tatanja Ross @On_JacksonStreet and Cat Rabbitβ
β
#PeppermintMagazine #CatRabbit #LuckyPickle #Craft #Crafting #Felting #FeltCrafts #Trinkets #ChristmasDecorations
Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the Bondi Beach violence, especially the Jewish community. Also to the beachgoers, those who bravely helped and the first responders.β
β
While it`s easy β and understandable β to get caught up in the horror of it all and direct anger at certain groups, remember this quote from teacher and author Erin Gruwell: "Don`t let the actions of a few determine the way you feel about an entire group."β
β
βYou don`t fight racism with racism. You fight racism with solidarity," said Bobby Seale of the Black Panthers. And solidarity is exactly what we need right now.β
β
If you are feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone. Remember there is much more kindness in the world than hate. β€οΈβπ©Ήβ
β
@LifelineAustralia has created a Bondi Beach Incident: Wellbeing support guide, where youβll find information about common reactions, reassurance that what youβre feeling is valid, and ideas for taking care of your wellbeing.β
β
https://lifeline.org.au/bondi-incidentβ
β
You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14, text on 0477 13 11 14 or chat at lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat anytime, no matter how this has impacted you.β
β
@BeyondBlueOfficial is also available with free 24/7 support by phone on 1300 22 4636 or webchat at https://www.beyondblue.org.au/β
β
Register.Find.Reunite. has been activated by @RedCrossAu to help people reconnect with family and friends. Visit redcross.org.au to access the service.β
β
@NSWPolice Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) is operating 24/7 on 1800 227 228 for information relating to people impacted.β
β
@LifeBloodAu is supporting Sydney hospitals. O- and O+ blood are always in high demand in emergencies. To donate (from anywhere in Australia β all states are welcome and helpful!) call 13 14 95 or use the Lifeblood app.
Just a reminder⦠from @SugarHouseCeramicCo
This holiday season be kind, patient and shop local!
#ShopSmall #ShopLocal #SupportSmallBusiness
β¨οΈ Our website is getting a glow-up! β¨οΈβ
β
Sorry for the inconvenience but it will be offline for a few days. You can still purchase subscriptions (perfect for chrissy presents!) via the links on the holding page.β
β
Last year we were extremely excited to receive funding from the Meta Australian News Fund, in partnership with the Walkley Foundation. The result of this is a fabulous new website, with a sustainable fashion and sewing directory that will follow early next year. We`ve worked with the lovely Amy and Jenny at @CrumpetClubHouse who have been making the magic happen β we can`t wait to show you the outcome! β¨οΈβ
β
In the meantime, please get in touch if you need help with anything β hello@peppermintmag.com β
β
We`ll see you on the other side! π
π 12 DAYS OF XMAS GIVEAWAYS πβ
β
πOn the 12th day of Christmas, weβre giving awayβ¦ a GREENPAN FROST ICE CREAM & FROZEN DRINK MAKER! πβ
β
Ice, ice, baby! Calling all kitchen magicians and dessert devotees: itβs time to churn, blend and devour your way to frozen heaven. Itβs our final giveaway β and hoo girl, itβs a goodie! Thanks to the clever folks at @TheOriginalGreenPan.Anz, one reader will cool their mitts on the Frost Ice Cream & Frozen Drink Maker β perfect for conjuring up home-made gelato, sorbet, smoothies, slushies and more!
Valued at $599, the Frost Ice Cream & Frozen Drink Maker is designed with GreenPanβs signature Thermolonβ’ ceramic non-stick coating, so you can whip up summer-ready sweet treats free of PFAS, PFOA, lead and cadmium.
To snag this frosty prize, follow @TheOriginalGreenPan.Anz and tag a friend in the comments below before midday AEST 15 December! (Australian and New Zealand addresses only, please.) Good luck!
Update: The lucky winner of our final giveaway is @just__for__van - congrats! We`ll dm to get your details. Well done! π
β
#PeppermintMagazine #12DaysOfChristmas #12DaysOfGiveaways #GreenPan
Oh hey ππΌ Just a little reminder that our subscriptions are sent in paper envelopes, which is a bit of a rarity in our industry. π
πΌβ
β
If you need more reasons to subscribe, how about these:β
β
π Enjoy a new issue arriving in your letterbox every six months.β
π Subscribers exclusively receive FOUR digital sewing patterns per year!β
π Youβll be the first to get your hands (and needles) on our patterns with early access.β
π Get a 20% discount code on back issues of Peppermint so you can start your collection today!β
π Automatically go in the draw to win amazing prizes each issue.β
π Feel good about your subscription arriving in plastic-free postage.β
π Support a small, women-led Australian business.β
π Help us make the world a better place!β
β
And... it`s a perfect Christmas present! We have a downloadable card you can print to go with your gift. β
β
π Link in bio!β
β
#PeppermintMagazine #SupportSmallBusiness #ShopLocal #ShopSustainable #PlasticFree β
