News

2019 Review, 2020 Plans, a Survey & Giveaway!

I can't believe we ended another year, not to mention a decade! It's hard not to reflect and think about where the time has gone. The first half of this decade was all about raising babies and livi...

Thank You Crew Testers

THANKS TO THE CREW TESTERS! Today I have a round-up of the Crews made during testing! I hope you enjoy seeing what the pattern looks like on a variety of people, the different fabrics they used, an...

Crew Fitting & Custom Adjustments

I've started writing more extensive fitting and custom adjustment posts this year, and I hope that you find them helpful. Today I have a post all about the Crew Shorts & Trousers. I have a Pint...

Crew Shorts & Trouser Release

THE CREW IS HERE! I am so excited to launch the Crew Shorts & Trousers! I originally designed the Crew pattern to pair with the Victory Tank and wore my outfit to a dear friend's rehearsal dinn...

Thank You Victory Testers

Testing a pattern is a big part of the development process. As a designer, I couldn't do my job without it, and I always appreciate the amount of time and effort - let alone fabric! - my testers pu...

Victory Fitting & Custom Adjustments

I've started writing more extensive fitting and custom adjustment posts this year, and I hope that you find them helpful. It's totally normal for most people to need some sort of custom adjustment,...

Victory Tank Release

THE VICTORY TANK IS HERE! EDIT: We have updated the Victory to include three more sizes. The new size range is 0-30, with two bust cup options. Size charts have been updated below. I am thrilled to...

Tutorial | Fringe Boxy Top

Have you seen some of the Fringe Top hacks popping up on Instagram? We started a hashtag #fringetophack so we could follow along and see all of the cool versions people were making. I noticed the b...

Thank you Orchid Update Testers

This is always a fun post to put together. I love seeing all of the tester photos in one place and seeing the culmination of the work we did together. It really is one of my favorite parts of patte...

Orchid Fitting & Custom Adjustments

I hope you are excited as I am about the new updates for the Orchid Midi pattern! There are three new sizes: 20/22/24 and a new bust cup: C/D, which is a built-in Full Bust Adjustment. My hope is t...

Updated Orchid Release

THE UPDATED ORCHID IS HERE! EDIT: We have updated the Orchid. The new size range is 0-30, with two bust cup options. Size charts have been updated below.I am thrilled to bring you the second patter...

Thank you Fringe Update Testers

It takes a lot of work to test a pattern, but it is always one of my favorite parts of pattern development. I enjoy connecting with and meeting other sewists from around the world during testing. I...

Fringe Fabric Recommendations

Since the original Fringe pattern was released a few years ago, we have seen it made up in so many different fabrics, and as with any pattern, the fabric can really transform the look and feel. You...

Fringe Fitting & Custom Adjustments

FITTING AND CUSTOM ADJUSTMENTS FOR YOUR FRINGE I hope you are as excited about the new updates for the Fringe pattern as I am! Our new size range is 0-30 with two bust cup options (A/B & C/D). ...

Updated Fringe Release

EDIT: We have updated the Fringe. The new size range is 0-30, with two bust cup options. Size charts have been updated below.It’s no secret that the Women’s Fringe pattern has been a best-seller fo...

2018 Review, 2019 Plans, a Survey & a Giveaway!

In January I am always excited to plan for the new year. I have big goals and dreams for Chalk and Notch, and it is always fun to look forward to the next thing. I find it hard to slow down in gene...

Thank You Mini Fringe Testers

I'm excited to share all of the wonderful tester versions of the Girls' Fringe! The pattern was released right before the Christmas holiday so there was a bit of a delay for me to get the tester po...

Girls Fringe Release

THE GIRLS FRINGE IS HERE! It's no secret that the Women's Fringe Dress has been a best-seller for Chalk and Notch, and I am thrilled to have the Girls' version available for you and the little ladi...

Tutorial | Pixie Cowl

Hey, Chalk & Notch Fans! I’m Loni of Havin Sew Much Fun, and I'm excited Gabriela has asked me back to share another hack of the Pixie Tee pattern with you. I have been dreaming of making a swe...

Thank You Orchid Testers

Thank you all so much for the warm reception of the Orchid Midi and Parasol patterns. It was so fun to collaborate with Celina of Ensemble Patterns. We are really proud of the patterns we created a...

Orchid x Parasol Release

It’s release day for both the Chalk and Notch Orchid Midi Dress and the Parasol Jumpsuit + Trousers from Ensemble Patterns! We designed our patterns as a collaboration and the patterns can be mixed...

Tutorial | Fringe Tiered Maxi

Hi everyone! I'm Suzie and I can be found as Threadquarters over on Instagram, YouTube and on my blog, Threadquarters.co.uk. I'm super excited to be able to guest blog for Chalk and Notch today and...

Tutorial | Fringe x Farrah Blouse

Hello everyone! I’m Brooke Smith, sewing addict and fabric collector from sunny Australia. You can find me sewing and sharing at Idle Sunshine. I’m excited to be a part of the Fringe Tutorial Serie...

Tutorial | Fringe Jumpsuit

Hi friends! I’m Nicole and I blog over at Merritts Makes and can be found on IG at @nf_merritts. I’ve been a fan of the Fringe since making my first version last summer. While I LOVE my Fringe Dres...

Tutorial | Fringe Button Front

Hello friends! I'm Rachael Anne Allison, avid dressmaker and home sewist. You can find my makes over on Instagram. Today I'm so excited to share my Fringe Dress hack: a button front tutorial! This ...

Tutorial | Fringe Boho Dress

Hello! I’m Catherine—you might you know me as threadsnips on Instagram or through my blog over at threadsnips.com. I was thrilled that Gabriela invited me to join her blog series, I hope you enjoy...

Tutorial | Fringe Wrap Front

Hi friends! My name is Heidi, I blog at Handmade Frenzy and hang out a lot on Instagram at @heidi_handmadefrenzy. I am super excited to be here today and share my Fringe wrap front tutorial with yo...

Tutorial | Fringe Two-Piece

Hi all, for those who don't know me, I'm Thao from Little Cumquat. I'm very grateful to be invited again as a guest blogger for Chalk and Notch, and I'm thrilled to be sharing with you this simple ...

Tutorial | Pixie Tee in Woven Fabric with Split Hem

We have a special guest today, the lovely Loni of HavinSewMuchFun, sharing her Woven Pixie with a side split hem! I love this hack so much that I have already made two and I have plans for more...m...

Tutorial | Pixie Tee Ruffle Hem

We have a special guest today who is an excellent seamstress and someone I can always count on for construction help. Thao of Little Cumquat is sharing her ruffle hem tutorial. I’ll let her give yo...

Tutorial | Pixie Tee Maxi

We have a special guest today who is a dear friend and a talented seamstress. Leslie of Threadbear Garments is sharing her maxi hack, and I can't wait to make one or three of my own. I'll let her g...

Tutorial | Pixie Tee Maternity

I am so excited to have a special guest posting on the Chalk and Notch blog today! Meg of MEGMADE Sewing is sharing the changes she made to make the Pixie Tee maternity friendly. I'll let her give ...

Thank you Pixie Testers!

This is my favorite post to put together! It's so fun to see all of these Pixie Tees in one place. I am sending out a HUGE thank you to the 42 testers who volunteered their time and put so much eff...

Pixie Tee Tester Tour

Thank you all so much for the warm reception of the Pixie Tee pattern! Many of you will have received the Pixie Tee for free if you signed up for the Chalk and Notch Newsletter by June 24th. We hop...

The Pixie Tee Release

EDIT: We have updated the Pixie & added a Mini Pixie pattern. You can check out the updated pattern release post here. It’s release day for the Pixie Tee and I am also debuting a new pattern tu...

Joy Jacket Sew Along | Bag Lining Finishing Details

Joy Sew Along | Bag Lining & Finishing Details

This probably seems like the most intimidating step, but it comes together pretty quickly and it's really cool. Pulling the jacket right side out feels like magic! By the end of this post, you will...

Joy Sew Along | Set Zipper & Add Grommets or Buttonholes

This post is all about adding the hardware. Don't let that word scare you, I promise it's not hard! PREP ZIPPER TABS & ATTACH ZIPPER Prep the zipper by folding back the tabs at an angle and s...

Joy Sew Along | Assemble Facing & Attach to Lining

Now we will be assembling the facing and attaching it to the lining. When you are finished with this post, the lining and facing will be complete. OPTIONAL: ADD GARMENT LABEL AND/OR HANGER LOOP &am...

Joy Sew Along | Assemble Lining

This post will guide you through assembling the lining and hem facing. As a reminder, if you made any adjustments to the main fabric sleeves or bodice length, you will need to make the same adjustm...

Joy Sew Along | Assemble Outer Main Fabric

Once you start to assemble the main fabric, things can move quickly and you will start to see your jacket taking shape. By the end of this post, you will be able to try on your outer shell. SEW SLE...

Joy Sew Along | Prepping Drawstring & Pockets

Now we get to start sewing! If you have premade drawstrings, I still suggest making the center back hanger loop out of your main fabric. I'll be showing photos of the drawstrings and center back lo...

Joy Sew Along | Cutting & Applying Fusible

Time to get cutting! Yes, there is a lot of cutting and fusible prep to get this pattern ready to sew, but don't let that stress you out. If you take your time with this part, you will set yourself...

Joy Sew Along | Getting Started

Welcome to the Joy Jacket Sew Along! Over the next nine posts, you will find everything you need to sew your own Joy with extra tips and tricks along the way. Each step has a photo reference, and t...

Joy Fitting & Custom Adjustments

Deciding what size to sew for yourself can sometimes be confusing. Take some time to review the size chart and finished measurements below. Start with your bust measurement and confirm you have eno...