New Pattern Release - The Luna Lounge Set

The Luna Lounge Set, a gently oversized yet dressed-up pyjama set, ready for day or night.

The Luna Lounge Set is here! A collection with so many garment options included, you're sure to be spoiled for choice.

Luna is my take on a PJ/lounge-wear set - it has been designed to take you from day to night with ease, depending on the fabric you use. Flannels and cosy cottons work well for a pyjama-party movie night. But mix chambray shorts with a light double gauze blouse, and a weekend stroll for ice cream or coffee is easily on the cards.

The Luna Lounge Set is available in both the Original and Curve sizes, with A to F cups included, in sizes range from an NZ size 6 to 34.

The Details

Blouse

Luna includes a lightly over-sized button up blouse, with bust darts for shaping - double darts for E+F cups and no darts for A cups. It also features grown-on sleeves (there they are again...) which you can keep short or make use of the included long sleeve pattern piece, finished with an elasticated cuff.

The V neckline is finished with a thin facing which I recommend top-stitching to the blouse - it keeps it permanently in place (no flapping facings here!) and gives a casual baseball shirt-vibe.

You can then choose to add a gently rounded, floaty back peplum (best suited to lighter weight/floatier fabrics) or use the included plain back version if peplums aren't really your thing.

The peplum blouse lends itself incredibly well to day-wear; why not crop the length a little (as was done for Annabel's white version below) and pair jeans and ballet flats...?

Annabel's white Luna blouse has been cropped by 5cm (2") for a more casual, day-wear look. Because of this, the bottom button was removed.

The Details

Pant

The Luna Pant is a mid-rise pant with a wide elastic band. Two band widths have been included in the pattern, one to suit 38mm (1 1/2") elastic, and one to suit 50mm (2") elastic.

The pant includes options for long pants or shorts, and both have pockets included - because you know I would never release a pattern without pockets, right?

AND, the Curve pattern includes an additional back pant pattern piece, just like the Farris Jumpsuit & Playsuit. The Plus back pant is a great option to use if you find you often need more room in the seat: all the work has been done for you, and no extra pattern adjustments are always a winner in my book.

More information on how to choose your back pant pattern piece is included in the Instructions.

Multiple Cup Sizes - A to F

The Luna Lounge Set includes both the Original and Curve sizes, spanning from a 6A cup (bust 75cm or 29 1/2") all the way up to a 34F cup (156.5cm or 61 5/8").

Included in the instructions are a detailed set of Finished Garment Measurements, meaning you're able to compare these to a similar garment that you currently like the fit of, or know you want to adjust. This takes much of the guess work out of making Luna, before you've even cut anything out.

Annabel wear a Curv 24C cups, graded to a 26 waist, and a straight 26 pant. Jen wears a 10C cup graded to a 12 waist and a straight 10 pant - you can read more about us on the pattern listing page.

Skill Level

Luna is suitable for confident seamstresses looking to up-skill - with many possibilities for extending your skill set.

If you've never made a pant or short before, Luna will ease you in nicely. They're quick to make and easy to fit with their relaxed style and elasticated waistband.

The blouse can be as simple as choosing the short sleeve with the plain back. Or, go a step further and add the back peplum and long sleeve. You'll learn about inserting darts and adding buttonholes as well as gathering techniques and top-stitching.

Fabric Suggestions

Luna is suitable for a wide-range of light- to medium-weight woven fabrics with some drape.

Cotton lawn, voile and poplin to double gauze, sateen and seersucker, are all easy to sew with and wear brilliantly across both the pant and blouse patterns. Rayon, silks, crepes and other slinky fabrics also pair beautifully with all pieces in the Luna collection, as does light-weight linen, tencel & chambray.

Flannel works well for the cooler weather, just keep in mind that the peplum blouse works better in floatier fabrics.

Annabel's blue floral set is a Japanese double gauze and the white blouse is a cotton jacquard.  Jen's pink Luna Set is made up in cotton flannel for the bottoms and a cotton double gauze blouse. The grey gingham blouse is a cotton double cloth.

Instagram

Do you follow me on Instagram?

I've also posted some recent Reels on choosing your JLH Cup size and the importance of choosing the right High Bust size for a great fit in the upper bodice.

If you're not following along already, you can find me here.

And while you're at it, when sharing your JLH makes to the 'gram, tag me or use the hashtags #JLHLuna or #JLHCurve so I can see and share them too.

What it's really like with pets on set...

NEW PATTERN RELEASE - The Kinfolk Dress!

 Kinfolk, a sleek bohemian style dress, loose and flowy with waist ties for definition.

The Kinfolk Dress has bohemian 40s style at its heart. Part kaftan, part wrap-style dress, slip Kinfolk over your head and wrap the front waist ties around to the back to cinch in the silhouette however you please.

If mid-summer bonfires, flower-crowns and floaty dresses are right up your street, then the Kinfolk Dress has you covered (and then some!). The second brand new JLH pattern for 2022 is available in both the Original and Curve sizes, with A to F cups included, in sizes ranging from an NZ6 to 34.

Not that you need ethereal summer parties and fields of flowers to wear Kinfolk. She's a versatile piece and ready to become your new favourite make.

The Details

With princess seam shaping from the shoulder down over the bust, a curved panelled centre front bodice and 6 gored skirt, Kinfolk is your everyday throw-on dress that will take you from beach coverup to BBQ dinner in no time.

Construction isa breeze with no fastenings and casual grown-on sleeves. A gentle rounded neckline and in-seam pockets are paired with a pretty A-line shaped skirt, falling to just below the knee.

Plenty of ease is included at the waist and hips, and an optional step is included at the end to add elastic into the back waist seam, to help keep gathers even underneath the ties during wear.

Kinfolk evokes the best part of breezy summer gatherings in the woods. Make Kinfolk in light linen or broidery anglaise and your sorted for midsummer nights around the bonfire at the beach. Equally, made up in light denim or chambray styled with sneakers and you're ready to hit the pavement for weekend outings with your own kinfolk.

Multiple Cup Sizes - A to F

The Kinfolk Dress includes both the Original and Curve sizes, spanning from a 6A cup (bust 75cm or 29 1/2") all the way up to a 34F cup (156.5cm or 61 5/8").

Included in the instructions are a detailed set of Finished Garment Measurements, meaning you're able to compare these to a similar garment that you currently like the fit of, or know you want to adjust. This takes much of the guess work out of making Kinfolk, before you've even cut anything out.

Tatenda wears an 18D cup, graded to a 20 waist. Jen wears a 10C cup out to a 12 waist - you can read more about us on the pattern listing page.

Skill Level

Kinfolk is suitable for confident seamstresses looking to up-skill.

If you have a few makes under your belt, Kinfolk could be a great next step in building your handmade wardrobe. With no fastenings, Kinfolk is a quick make, but techniques such as inset-inseam pockets, a panelled front bodice and princess seams will build your skillset and give you the confidence to tackle more technical garments in the future.

Fabric Suggestions

Kinfolk is suitable for a wide-range of light- to medium-weight woven fabrics with some drape.

Cotton lawn, voile and poplin to linen, tencel, light chambray or denim, as well as double gauze, sateen and seersucker are easy to sew with and wear.

Rayon, silks, crepes and other slinky fabrics also work well, as does flannel and wool suitings for a heavier garment during cooler weather.

Tatenda's copper Kinfolk is a textured twist cotton (similar to flannel but more light-weight) and Jen wears Kinfolk in a cotton jacquard (blue) and a cotton double cloth (grey gingham).

Instagram

Do you follow me on Instagram?

I've started filming some videos (yikes! Talk about nerve wracking!!) and have a fun set of reels coming up showing the construction of Kinfolk. I've also posted some recent Reels on choosing your JLH Cup size and the importance of choosing the right High Bust size for a great fit in the upper bodice.

If you're not following along already, you can find me here.

And while you're at it, when sharing your JLH makes to the 'gram, tag me or use the hashtags #JLHKinfolk or #JLHCurve so I can see and share them too.

xx

Jen

New Pattern Release: The Isla Wrap Dress!

 Isla, the perfect mix of 1950s house-dress meets modern day wrap dress.

The first brand new JLH pattern for 2022 is here! Say hello to the Isla Wrap Dress. Available in both the Original and Curve sizes, with A to F cups included, in sizes ranging from an NZ size 6 to 34.

Who hasn't fantasised about making the dresses below that Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon) wears when we meet her in the movie The Hundred-Foot Journey? I sure have, and now you can make your very own in an easy, breezy wrap dress form. Yippee!

Isla is cool, comfortable and layer able for all seasons and occasions. cute vintage bikes are optional (but dang, I think we all need one, stat!).

Image courtesy of The Hundred-Foot Journey

The Details

With grown-on sleeves and a wide, gently rounded neckline (buttoned at the top back neckline), Isla includes waistline darts for bodice shaping at the front and back. The gently gathered skirt includes in-seam pockets and falls to below the knee.

The back-wrap bodice is angled from the centre back neckline down to the waist - the waist tie is then used for closing the dress at the waistline, cinching it in as much as you please.

The back skirt overlaps almost side to side (it's stepped back just a smidge so you can't see the edge of the skirt with looking from the front), meaning you have plenty of coverage, even in windy weather.

While the button at the top back neckline can be made functional, the neckline is wide enough that you can easily slip Isla over you head, meaning you can sew it permanently shut if you wish.

Multiple Cup Sizes - A to F

The Isla Wrap Dress includes both the Original and Curve sizes, spanning from a 6A cup (bust size 75cm or 29 1/2") all the way up to a 34F cup (156.5cm or 61 5/8").

Included in the instructions are a detailed set of Finished Garment Measurements, meaning you're able to compare these to a similar garment that you currently like the fit of, or know you want to adjust. This takes much of the guess work out of making Isla, before you've even cut anything out.

Tatenda wears a Curve 18D cup, graded to a size 20 waist - you can read more about her on the pattern listing page here.

Skill Level

Isla is suitable for confident seamstresses looking to up-skill.

If you have a few garments under your belt, Isla could be a great next step in your sewing journey. Build confidence with techniques such as gathering skirts, sewing in darts, and stay-stitching along the back bodice angle to keep it (and your necklines) from stretching out during construction.

If the button at the back makes you a little hesitant, you don't need to make it functional. The neckline is wide enough to slip over the head, meaning you can permanently sew it closed with a few hand-stitches (and pop a faux button on top). You could even use a vintage brooch or go punk with safety pins!

Fabric Suggestions

Isla is suitable for a wide range of light to medium-weight woven fabrics with some drape.

Cotton lawn, voile and poplin to linen, tencel, light chambray or denim, as well as double gauze, sateen and seersucker are easy to sew with and wear.

Rayon, silks, crepes and other slinky fabrics also work well, but be mindful of the weight of the back neckline closure you use, as it could cause sagging without enough fabric structure to hold it up. In that case, a hidden snap button or a few invisible hand-stitches could be best,

Tatenda's pink spot Isla is a linen-cotton blend. Jen wears Isla in a slub-y linen-cotton blend (that was a nightmare to iron after washing, so I just went with it, wrinkles and all).

Purchase Isla Here

You can choose to purchase Isla an an individual size range (Original or Curve) OR in an economical bundle if you'd like all sizes on hand.

Your pattern will be delivered instantly to your inbox after you check out, and from there, you can choose my easy-to-assemble print-at-home file or send the A0 file to a PrintShop and have them print it for you.

The layers function is included in all pattern files, so you can turn on and off any number/combination of sizes your heart desires.

Please share your makes with me on Instagram! You can use the hash tags #JLHIsla, #JLHCurve or #SewJLH - I'd love to see your makes.

xx

Jen

Coming Soon... the Isla Wrap Dress.

Happy Me Made May everyone! 

I haven't written an official pledge as I wear Me-Mades most of the time anyway, and I've been wearing a lot of patterns I haven't released yet, so... there's that. I do have one surprise up my sleeve for May though, my first brand new pattern of 2022 will be here next week!

The Isla Wrap Dress is a casual modern day wrap dress mixed with a 1950s house-dress silhouette. She's cool and relaxed but includes all the lovely little details you expect in a JLH pattern.

After spending the start of this year re-releasing three of my older patterns in the new Curve sizes (Pippi, Sorrel and Ivy), it's time to turn my attention to new patterns. Wrap dresses feature heavily, as do grown-on sleeves and my own take on a PJ/Lounge set to round out my offerings.

Make sure you sign up to get all the goods in your inbox before anyone else (and access the subscriber-only discount!). Then maybe, just maybe, Millie might stop giving you the side eye.

Subscribe here.

Look forward to seeing you next week...

xx

Jen