Copy Cat Co-ord Sets

“I’m pretty sure I can do it myself” is a recurring mantra in the sewing portion of my brain. Come to think of it, that’s pretty close to my life mantra, which is “I can learn to do that.”

So often I’ll look at a pattern and think I could draft that myself. It’s true, with many of the basic shapes, I can definitely DIY it or get an already owned pattern and hack it into the new shape/style that I like. I do it a lot when I see RTW items I like, especially if they are way outside my budget – Max Mara, I’m looking at you. I don’t know why, but I sometimes feel a twinge of something (guilt?) if I blatantly copy a pattern design, especially an indie pattern. Is it OK, or do you think it’s off limits?

This summer, I felt the urge to sew some new clothes after an age and one of them was this one. I really like the pattern, but you know, as soon as I looked at the simple shapes, I thought it wouldn’t be rocket science to create this look. I’m still stalled on actually going all in on pattern drafting, but these pieces are entry-level, in my opinion.

The mental hiccup comes when thinking, whether I am doing someone a disservice by copying their idea rather than buying their pattern. Honestly, I’m planning on never buying patterns again. I want to make my own from here on, so what is it that bothers this staunch goody-two-shoes?

I’ve seen many online conversations about how you can’t copyright designs, and it’s true that if you look at most new pattern releases, you could probably find at least 5 similar ones if you searched back over time. Especially if you’re a Burda subscriber 😂.

Am I overthinking (highly likely, overthinking is one of my superpowers)? Does everyone who knows their way around a sewing pattern do this eventually?

Let’s get to the sewing. I have been sans sewjo for a long while, but was tempted back into the fray when holiday sewing made its siren call again. I wanted a summer outfit, and I had a piece of fabric that I wanted to use for a while. I had initially thought I would make another version of these trousers, but in this blue hemp fabric that I’ve had for a few years. However, I then came across the pattern above and thought – c’mon, say it with me – “I bet it wouldn’t be too hard to do this myself”

I drafted the skirt myself, an A-line skirt with an elasticated waist. In those long-ago days when I had a waist and an ironing-board-flat stomach, my posse wouldn’t dream of putting on a garment with an elasticated waist. These days, comfort and ease are everything, and the flexible waist rules. I added inseam pockets, but I didn’t split the sides as I knew this would just mean fabric flapping around everywhere.

I hacked the top using a simple tank as a base, I made the drawstring section separately and inserted it into the front panel, and I also inserted a centre panel in the back to give the design balance. I chose not to include the “halter” section because ….? To finish, I used my stock of cream silk noil to make an all-in-one facing, which always makes it more comfortable.

Ever undecided, I thought I wanted a pair of shorts in this combo, and luckily I had enough fabric to easily add these. Drafted using the Mimi G pattern I used for these trousers, they were equally easy to run up. Wide legs, in seam pockets, and a drawstring waist to complement the skirt and top. I completed sewing all three in a day. So I have a two-way combo now.

I feel like I’ve forgotten my whole process of making these blogs. Thankfully, the OH took a few photos of this outfit (in skirt mode only, though). Here I am in northern Italy on an atypically unsunny day.

While I’m happy overall with the project, I want to tweak the top a bit as it is too big. I overcompensated when increasing the size, and I didn’t take into account the panel I was adding in the back. These make it all a bit too billowy and wide. I want to do something to the sides to bring it in a bit. You know me, though, I will probably just live with it and make the changes if I do this again.

It feels good to be back at the sewing machine and the keyboard. I’ll see if it sticks.

Thanks for dropping by,