Plus-Size Sewing Patterns: Seven Brands to Keep on Your Radar
There’s no size limit on looking good. We all know the fashion industry can be a tad limited when it comes to making clothes accessible for everyone, and as sewing really is just the first step of fashion, perhaps it’s not so surprising that things aren’t necessarily different in the patternmaking world.
The call for more inclusive sizing in sewing patterns has long been championed by passionate, creative folks who are tired of being excluded from fashion – be it commercial or home-made – on the basis of size. And thankfully, things are changing and for the better. There are a growing number of patternmakers who are listening to the concerns of movements like #SewLimited and working to expand their sizing ranges.
To help our lovely sewing community make the grade, we thought we would shine a little light and love on just a few of the amazing patternmakers out there creating phenomenal patterns in plus sizes.
Muna and Broad
Size Range: A-M (up to a 71.5 inch hip)
Muna and Broad was founded after its creators Leila (an Australian living in Canada) and Jess (from New Zealand) met on Instagram and bonded over the lack of patterns available in their sizes. They make “plus-size sewing patterns that have been drafted to ensure a great fit for large bodies”, and they will grade their patterns up for free if you don’t fit their size chart. We love their style, as well as their words; follow the ladies on socials for important discussions and insights into the world of #fatsewing.
Make By TFS
Size Range: NZ 4-32 (up to a 62.8 inch hip)
Beloved peddlers of fine quality fibre, The Fabric Store now has its own range of sewing patterns. These PDF patterns are created by a small Auckland-based team as part of the brand’s “sustainable and ethical business values and our design-driven philosophy”. The carefully curated collection is available in an inclusive range of sizes that showcases their simplistic but stylish, minimalistic aesthetic – TFS will also custom grade up to your size at no charge if you fall outside of their range!
Cashmerette Patterns
Size Range: 0-32 (up to a 62 inch hip and bust sizes C-H)
Founded by Jenny Rushmore of the Curvy Sewing Collective, Cashmerette Patterns operates out of Boston, Massachusetts. Jenny started sewing at 30 and quickly became obsessed and empowered by the potential for “changing clothes and mindsets, rather than being told we should change our bodies”. Made for and by curvy women, Cashmerette offers a wardrobe-filling range of fun and functional patterns you can picture yourself wearing everyday.
Friday Pattern Company
Size Range: XS-7X (up to a 63 inch hip)
Located in sunny Sacramento, California, Friday Pattern Company caters for cool cats and sewists of myriad sizes. The team are working to update their patterns so that all of them will be available up to a size 7X (63 inch hip) and have already made considerable progress with over half of their patterns now available in these sizes. Their designs are fresh as heck and cover trends from beach punk to cottagecore. Not only that, the label has promised that anyone who has previously purchased a pattern will be provided the updated sizing for free!
Do It Better Yourself Club
Size Range: 00-36 (up to a 67 inch hip)
Starting as a lifestyle blog all about inspiring women to be “as self-sufficient as they choose”, Jessica Hooley’s Do It Better Yourself Club, or DIYB Club for short, is focused on making sewing accessible to everyone. To that end, not only do all the downloadable PDF patterns come in an extensive size range, they also come with a full e-book’s worth of comprehensive instructions, custom fit adjustment tutorials and video tutorials.
Closet Core Patterns
Size Range: 14-32 (up to a 63 inch hip)
Closet Core Patterns (formerly Closet Case Patterns) has introduced a more inclusive sizing range and is currently re-releasing its best-selling patterns in this new size range, as well as all new releases. Additionally, the team, led by owner and founder Heather Lou, offer a range of fitting tips and tricks for each pattern on their blog to ensure you end up with a garment that fits perfectly!
Sew House Seven
Size Range: 18-34 (up to a 65 inch hip)
Pacific Northwest-based indie sewing pattern company Sew House Seven has debuted a “Curvy Size Range” with expanded sizing and multiple cup size options. Creator Peggy Mead designs clothes that are simple with clean lines – essential basics with sweet twists that make them stand out in a crowd. The brand welcomes sewists of all levels and experience with detailed instructions and quick, easy construction.
