Make This With That! Ready-To-Wear Inspiration for your Sewing Projects

Looking to shake up your sewing? In this post, we look at ready-to-wear garments as inspiration for our own projects. Looking at shapes, fabrication, and details can give you ideas to create the same look, but styled by you.  

Plaid! Sure, when we received our shipment of gorgeous plaids we immediately thought of coats. But plaid isn't just for coat - there are so many other options! 

I love the look of this plaid skirt cut on the bias. This skirt shape is similar to our 8th Avenue Skirt pattern. You can add the leather strap as a decorative element. 

This is a more "classic" plaid wrap skirt - but with multiple fabrics! Recreate it using our eSkirt pattern, and be sure to trim the edge for a perfect fringe. 

Add plaid to your layered look with using our Eureka Top. It's a quick and easy sew that is sure to add a lot of style to your look. 

I mean, we had to include the Flatiron Coat as an option. There is nothing better than wrapping up in an eye-popping plaid on a gloomy day. 

Plaid ponchos never go out of style. Throw on our Three Fold Vest in plaid for that extra bit of warmth on a chilly spring day. 

Love. These. Pants. If you are as partial to wide-leg pants as I am, try the West End Pants in plaid. It's a perfect casual look with a pop!

​We love the shearling look that has been kicking around the fashion world for the last few years. Sure, you can go full teddy bear in a floor-length coat, but you can also add experiment with different shapes and styles in this cozy fabric. 

I saw this and immediately felt foolish for not already making a Charlie Bomber in shearling. It's such a classic look, with a twist!

Swath yourself in a shearling Chateau Coat. And, why not make a matching Daily News Bag while you are at it? 

​I saw this color-blocked shearling jacket and immediately thought of the Picasso Top. The loose fit is a perfect choices for a snug shearling top. 

Ok, you have to use your imagination on this one. I love the boxy jacket on the left, particularly how they mixed the shearling with a solid. I think you can make your own version with the Crossroads Jacket. Leave off the cuff, curve the collar, and add some solid pockets. 

This is the original Teddy Bear Coat, designed by Max Mara. They introduced this look in 2013, and it has been a fashion favorite ever since. Make your own version of head-to-toe shearling using our San Francisco Coat pattern. 

​Our wool melton coating collection is incredibly soft. It doesn't have that wooly feeling to it at all, it feels much closer to cashmere. And while you could make a whole coat out of it, this fine fabric is also fantastic for casual jacket looks. 

​Sew an understated Chateau in wool melton. Be aware that you will have to a classic seaming method, as opposed to lapped seams. But, you will end up with an extremely elegant look. 

Swing it! The Detour Jacket has a lovely, swingy look that works beautifully with this fabric. I also love the clever collar detail. 

And yes, of course, it would be delightful as a Flatiron Coat. Simple, clean, and classic. 

I love the idea of a short, simple High Five jacket made in such a fine fabric. This would look super chic with a pair of Pencil Pants. 

​I mean, this look is fantastic. And you can totally recreate it with our Zona Jacket. We even have a gorgeous red wool for you to use!