Meet the Patternmaker Behind the Peppermint Albion Bouse
- Words by Peppermint
No matter the weather, you can roam the moors in style with our latest free pattern, the Peppermint Albion Blouse, a romantic wrap top with two sleeve variations! This exclusive, highly wearable pattern was created in collaboration with the Sweden-based patternmaker behind Vanessa Hansen Studio and is brought to you in partnership with our good friends at Spoonflower.
Founded in 2020 when Vanessa stepped away from the fashion industry after years of working as a professional pattern cutter for top London fashion labels like Erdem, Emilia Wickstead, Issa London, Reiss and Topshop, Vanessa Hansen Studio is focused on sharing her love of pattern cutting and self-crafted clothes with the world – helping you create a sustainable and beautiful wardrobe to feel proud of.
“I love wearing beautifully crafted clothes that mirror my personality and my mood. Clothes that make me feel confident,” Vanessa says. “I believe that clothes can be a way of expressing yourself, and we all need to wear them, so why not wear something stunning?”
In the spirit of going behind the seams and to show the Albion Blouse the love it deserves, we caught up with Vanessa to learn more about her label and to rack her brain for tips and tricks when creating the pattern.
DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN NOW!
Tell us about your journey into the sewing world…
My journey into the sewing world started when I was a child. My mother sewed clothes for me and my siblings, so we were all used to the sound of the sewing machine from early on. There’s a photo of me sitting at her sewing machine at about four years old. Ever since then, I’ve been sewing. As an adult, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to work with patterns and sewing. I started studying patternmaking in my twenties and was hooked from the first day.
What inspires your patterns?
I like making patterns that are modern and fashionable and I’m inspired by city living, especially from my time living in London. I can be inspired by certain events and the feeling of doing something specific, like going to afternoon tea or a walk in one of the Royal Parks.
What do you love most about the sewing community?
I love the endless creativity and how a pattern can end up looking completely different depending on the sewist. I also love how supportive it is and all the love I’ve received for my patterns, which has really been key to me continuing my work with design.
Any tips and tricks for sewists making the Albion Blouse?
This is an intermediate pattern with some high-end finishing techniques and I would encourage sewists to take it slow and enjoy each step. If you feel stuck sewing the sleeve slit or turning the rouleau loops, I have some helpful reels on my Instagram to help you visualise the technical bits of the pattern.
What about fabric recommendations?
I would recommend a lightweight cotton; it’s easy to sew and if unpicking becomes necessary, the cotton can take it without falling apart. It lets your body breathe on hot summer days and doesn’t fray much.
Where do you plan on wearing the Albion Blouse?
I will wear my blouses (I have two so far) taking the tram downtown for afternoon tea with my sister and when exploring Copenhagen on my holiday coming up in July! I’m basically planning on wearing it whenever I want to feel chic and summery.
Every quarter we work with a talented patternmaker to create a new design for our me-made mates. Head to the link here for a plethora of pretty patterns – all free for you to download and make to your heart’s content – along with plenty of sewing tips and tricks.
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The fabulous Fern! We heart this make from the wonderful Trixie Johnston of @WithLoveTrixie:
"I’m chuffed to have collaborated with @PeppermintMagazine to bring you my version of the #PeppermintFernPleatedPants ✨
Featuring a wide leg fit with pleated front, slash pockets and a nifty centre back invisible zip. I really enjoyed the way this pattern is drafted to fit, which means a lot coming from a mum navigating postpartum curves. It’s tailored yet comfortable and hugs me in all the right places without any additional fit adjustments.
I also want to give a massive shout to the Fern’s sewing partners @Sohmo_Au for sending me a cookie tin of quality sewing goodies that I used throughout the project and @IndyBindyFabrics fabrics who provided the most incredible black cotton Sashiko-ori fabric. This fabric was made on a custom loom that weaves in a traditional sashiko (decorative running stitch pattern) and it’s a texture unlike anything I’ve sewn before.�
Details: �
• Size G – No mods. (I selected the size based off my waist measurements) Note: Size ranges from A-P (!!!)
• Fern Pleated Pants Pattern, SOHMO tools and Fabric were gifted however, Peppermint magazine’s ‘Pay what you can’ model provides such amazing patterns at a sustainable, affordable cost.
• Matching top is a modified version of The Carol Top from @SummerHaus_ (size 10)"
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“When people get old, they die. This art form is like a plant. You may think it has died, but nurture it, and it will come back to life. It lives on through generations.”
These words by Gami, an artisan who helped revive the lost tradition of Lambadi embroidery, speaks to the wisdom that Meanjin/Brisbane photographer Melanie Hinds (@WithThePeaches) experienced during her visit to Sittilingi village in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu, India, in 2023. Melanie went there to document how the once-nomadic Lambadi tribe are reviving their traditional embroidery craftsmanship and transforming their community through the @PorgaiArtisans Association’s artists’ residency.
Her photos became part of the ‘Stitching Stories’ exhibition at the India Ocean Craft Triennial (IOTA24) Program hosted in Fremantle: an intimate portrait of the women empowered both economically and socially by the initiative, and their captivating work. Gaelle Beech of @TheAnjelmsProject also helped make this exhibition a reality.
Nothing goes to waste in their craft, says Melanie, with even the smallest fabric scraps transformed into toys for children or woven into ropes for beds. “Through their intricate hand-stitched work, these women are preserving a centuries-old craft.”
Discover the beauty in our ‘Pride of place’ feature in Issue 64, at stockists now.
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West End inside and out!
How fabulous is this make from Lisa of @SunnySewsEveryday using the West End Jacket pattern (created in collab with Camille @CamiMadePatterns) for both a shirt AND jacket! 👏🏼
“Now have a Westend shirt to wear with my Westend jacket. I just can’t get enough of this pattern. I went down two sizes and used a brushed cotton from Pound Fabrics.”
Grab this gorgeous gender-neutral pattern from our website now!
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Frame your face with the Peppermint Bucket Hat!
Stay safe and stylish in the sun with your very own self-sewn and self-drafted wide-brimmed bucket hat. This beginner-friendly sew is perfect for a sunny day. Get out your pencils – this pattern is created using equations and maths!
This DIY project was featured in Issue 53 and now you can access it for the lovely low price of only $5.
Sun-safe chic is always in style. ☀️
Find it via the link in our bio!
Photos: @KelleySheenan
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At @Life_Instyle, the focus is firmly on curating things that support real life: objects made to be lived with, loved, and returned to day after day. From tactile materials and emotional utility to Australian-made craftsmanship and slower, more considered production, the trends emerging may not be loud, but you can bet they’re lasting.
Ahead of their Sydney showcase this February, we asked Life Instyle’s Exhibition Director Nina Vidale to share her take on the values, ideas and rituals shaping the year to come, and the brands leading the way with care for people, planet and the creative process.
Read more about the top ethical design trends, and why values-led design (be it sustainability, craftsmanship, longevity, Australian-made) are resonating so strongly right now at the link in bio!
✨️ Life Instyle Sydney/Eora Country
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#LifeInstyle #SustainableShopping #EthicalShopping #DesignTrends
Has the Peppermint Acacia A-line Skirt made it to your sewing list yet? It`s perfect for summer, and is great layered over tights for the cooler days. Lengthen it, or wear it short – you do you!🪡
Did you know if you buy the digital version of Issue 63, you`ll nab the digital pattern for free? And the printed version comes with the print issue of 63... winning all round.
Made in collaboration with our friends at @WeftAndWarpFabrics, our version of the Acacia A-line Skirt pattern was sewn using the Tollerton 100% cotton 9oz denim. We added contrast top stitching using Gutermann Professional Jeans Thread in Dark Gold 1970 for that classic look.
Head to the link in bio to nab this pattern now – or grab it free with Issue 63!🪡
Images: @KelleySheenan
Model: @LoveStepha
Artwork: @MelanieShmelanie at North Lakes Library
Fabric: Denim from @WeftAndWarpFabrics
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