Get that Free People RTW Look with Sewing Patterns

I went to the mall this past weekend we had some errands to do so I tagged along, and I will say this I’m not one to go to a shopping mall because its just not something I enjoy to do so I don’t go. BUT while we were there my daughter asked me to go check out a few stores she likes, sure why not?! We stopped by Madewell they had some nice things and then we went by Free People. I have to say its clearly geared for young market like my daughter. I’m for SURE not part of their target market because all I see is oversized, bohemian style. However, my daughter loves it all and runs from place to place inside the store trying to find styles to show me. Sadly a lot of the things she liked were out of stock in her size. She loved this pair of corduroy overalls but they are sold out online and in all stores. And then she asked me…. can you make these? I’m pretty sure I can!

So here are a few patterns that you can use to get the Free People look.

I loved this cardigan and they actually had quite a few of these cardigans all over the store in different lengths. Some were hand knitted and others were just stitched in a knit fabric. But this one Jessie Intarsia Cardi stuck out and its beautiful. Sold out in Small but you can use True Bias Marlo Sweater to get a similar look. I love the bright colors on the Free People cardigan because she can wear it with a pair of jeans, leggings and a t-shirt under it.

Next up is this Yoko tunic. Its oversized and she loved this ochre color in it. Perfect for fall. But you can also try using Simplicity’s S8551. I will have to extend the panels on the top for this pattern but it does the job. I will say this pattern is now out of print but you can find it on Etsy or Amazon. Some Joann’s stores may still have it. Thankfully I have it in my stash because I’m looking to make myself an orange long dress with one of these styles.

I saw this dress, it has this plum / violet color on the website. Its called the Violet Mini Dress, it has a square neckline and also a square back with gathered puffy sleeves and a tie in the back. I thought you can use M8197 or M8108. For M8197 you may have to square up the neckline in the front and back in addition to adding a tie in the back but that is fairly easy to do.

Another option is M8108 view C but I also saw another dress in orange. On the website its called the Gretchen Pinafore Convertible dress with ties at the shoulders, midi length and a ruffled hem. However the website says that you can use the ties in this dress and wear it as a maxi skirt which I thought was interesting.

Luci and I saw this dress The Shayla Velvet Mini made out of velvet at the store, and sure enough I remembered a pattern I have in my stash. The sleeves are longer and i was somewhat unsure of how the patterns was supposed to fit as I thought it looked a little big on the pattern cover. Its one of those patterns that can be made in different ways. Perhaps velvet for that bohemian look or a nice crepe de chine or poplin for a more put together look, It happens to be pattern M8237, it has gathers in the front button band. I was very surprised to see the dress there. Sewing with velvet is an experience in itself but perhaps that is a video for some other time. I don't wear velvet because I just don’t love the fabric and the way it feels also it feels like something I can only wear during the cold months out of the year so I just don’t sew with velvet but you can make this dress with other fabrics.

I can’t write this blog without mentioning the Ziggy Cord overalls that my daughter liked. The store did a great job styling the overalls along with a buttons down shirt and a flannel shirt tied around the waist. It is exactly what my daughter would wear along with a pair of doc martens boots. But of course they are out of stock in the store and online. So we decided we would make them using either using M8162 or S8615

They also had this Daria Shirt dress on their site and it reminded me of the Dawn McCall’s Dress. The dress retails on the site for $228 and it is 100% poly. I still have the fabric waiting for me because last summer I was hoping to make the dress… perhaps now I’ll just make it for my daughter and using the pattern. The dress from Free People was just a maxi length with long bishop sleeves.

This Charlie Bustier dress is perfect for those upcoming holiday parties, you would have to find the right fabric for it but McCalls’ M7946 with a few modifications to the spaghetti straps and also length would fit the technical drawings for this.

Of course, they had a Cassie shacket RIGHT by the front window. I still can’t see myself wearing one of these because it is in the 20’s which is a pretty low temperature for November but I’m pretty sure my daughter would be all for wearing one of these with leggings, her boots and a t-shirt under it. So enter the pattern that I just returned but that I will be getting yet again! S9388, I suspect that pattern will be in popular demand for quite some time. I know Fiber Mood also had the Rya shacket pattern if you are looking into Indie patterns for this.

Last but not least, my daughter loved a faux suede Diogo coat which is an oversized jacket with dropped shoulders and sherpa fleece lining. It doesn’t look like a hard jacket to make (or so I think!) but I’m thinking that I could potentially use V1563 for it. If you can think of a better pattern for this coat …. I’m open to Indies too would love to hear all about it.

Next time you go shopping perhaps put the garment on and take a picture, you never know what pattern you may find that is pretty darn close. I always tell myself if I can make it for less then perhaps its not such a bad idea to take on some sewing projects on my own.