There are now many (untimed) blazer patterns at a wide range of difficulty levels, see list of the top 14 blazer patterns at Pattern Review. For previous editions of these patterns, Palmer-Pletsch claimed their unisex camp shirt and banded collar shirt patterns took 2 or 3 hours. They’re now less optimistic ! After all, this series of posts started as a reaction to a post by Sue Neall, who sewed an Adri designer pattern plus a caftan as a wardrobe-in-a-weekend. She made 6 garments in 2 days ! Her weekend included changing the patterns to fit, bias cuts, 2 zips, double-felled seams, bias strip facings. . . She didn’t apparently work all night 😀 And they usually only mean sewing time, not including preparation and cutting time. So not pattern assembly and fabric washing/ ironing times ! There are of course multiple easy patterns which are not timed, see the posts on elastic waist skirts and elastic waist pants.

The more recent McCall’s PP pattern for a blazer, a ‘boyfriend’ style unisex design, had an inverted triangle shape and is also oop. Obviously these patterns have to avoid any technique that takes time. So they’re very simple, with few added design features and little shaping. But there are designers who manage to respond to this need by providing interesting shapes and design features that don’t need much work. Fabric choice can be crucial. Quality fabrics can give a luxury look to even the simplest of styles (see Eileen Fisher for examples). Choose wovens with a bit of body, so they don’t need much support from interfacing and don’t change shape while you’re sewing them. Not slippery, don’t fray easily. This is not the time to be trying viscose or thin silks. Similarly with knits – choose stable ones, that aren’t too floppy. Knits have the advantage they don’t fray, so no need for seam finishing. And there are non-knit fabrics like this too. Sewlidarity says she made 2 pairs of Sew Over It Ultimate Pyjama pants in 5 hours (vlog starts at 1.50). All the dress patterns can be shortened to tops and tunics, and the tops and tunics lengthened to (maxi) dresses.

With a little more time – Decades of Style ‘Everyday’ patterns are supposed to be sewable in a day. Most are also rated ‘easy’. Suggested fabrics: Cotton and Cotton Blends, Laundered Cottons, Chambray, Silks and Silk Types, Crepe, Laundered Silks-Rayons, Sueded Silks/ Rayons, Georgette, Double Georgette, Novelty Sheer Fabrics, Linen and Linen Blends.

Buy the N6347 dresses sewing pattern from New Look. It’s perfect for an advanced beginner dressmaker. Misses’ Dress The elegant simple classics designed by Loes Hinse and sold by Textile Studio Patterns are no longer available, but might be worth looking out for.

Notions: Thread. One pkg. of 7.8″ wide single fold bias tape, one pkg. of hem tape (opt.). C: one pkg. of 1/4″ wide elastic.

McCall’s 6172, the famous Palmer-Pletsch 8-hour lined blazer pattern which sold over a million copies, is now out of print.