B-Day Bash | Introducing The Casey Skirt & Brooks Blouse Patterns

I am beyond elated to be releasing not one, but two new patterns today! Let me introduce you to the Casey Skirt and the Brooks Blouse. Named after two of the most inspiring seamstresses in my life, these two new patterns form the perfect wardrobe pattern pack, filling out the Brijee Patterns wardrobe like no other patterns could.

The Casey Skirt Pattern is inspired by an original late 1940s A-line skirt pattern in my collection. Featuring singular box pleats in both front and back (which cleverly conceal the center back zip), the skirt possesses a gloriously wide waistband which fastens in back, the perfect place to showcase two of those treasured buttons from your stash. View 1 is simplicity itself, with no pockets (though don’t worry, I will show you how to add side seam pockets in the sew-along!), making it the ideal canvas for that scrumptious velvet or printed cotton that you have been dying to make a skirt from.

 

As much as I love View 1 of the Casey Skirt pattern, View 2 has got to be my favorite. The true star of this pattern, View 2 possesses the most gloriously large patch pockets. My favorite way to make up this version of the pattern is in a chambray or light denim, and finish it with top-stitching on the pockets, waistband and hem.

 

The Casey Skirt is named after one of the vintage sewing bloggers who was a singular source of inspiration for me when I first discovered the world of vintage clothing. Casey Maura (formerly of Elegant Musings) was one of the first ladies to show me that you can wear vintage in the modern day and look fabulous doing it. Knowing her love for large pockets on skirts, I chose to name the Casey Skirt after her as a small way of saying thanks for sharing her creativity with the world.

This, my dears, is the Brooks Blouse. A button-back kimono sleeved number inspired by the silhouettes of the late 1940s/early 1950s, this pattern features three different necklines, and three different sleeve lengths, making for a total possibility of 9 different looks. It is also our first pattern to feature a supplement in the instructions for making the Brooks Blouse up in a knit. Yes, you read that right! You can make the Brooks Blouse in a knit! Hooray!

View 1 of the Brooks Blouse features cap sleeves faced with self bias, and a modest V-neckline. Make it up in a printed voile or lawn as shown here for the perfect summer blouse.

View 2 of the Brooks Blouse showcases 3/4 length sleeves bound in self binding and a crew neckline. This version of the pattern looks gorgeous made up in a dotted swiss as you can see, but would look equally smashing in a silk or fine linen.

 

View 3 of the pattern features a bateau neckline and long sleeves. We made up this version in an organic cotton knit, using the tips we include in the knit supplement of the pattern, to transform it from a button-back blouse to a pull-over style blouse reminiscent of the jersey tops of the late 1940s.

The Brooks Blouse was named after Mary Brooks Picken, one of the ladies who is primarily responsible for the fact that home sewing has survived to this day, thanks to her revival of the home arts in the 1910s and 20s. Mary was also key in popularizing the 1-hour dress, a staple of versatility in the 20s. With the Brooks Blouse’s versatility of options and simplicity of construction, I thought it fitting to name it after the woman who made sewing simple, beautiful, versatile clothes easy for the average woman.

Speaking of versatility, this is just a sneak peek for you of what hacks you can do with the Brooks Blouse and Casey Skirt. I will be going over these hacks in the sew-alongs for each pattern in the coming months. Though honestly, if you can’t wait that long, the blouse is simply View 1 with keyhole cutouts, and the skirt is just lengthened. Super simple, but I will show you how to do it so it turns out flawlessly.

Produced in our standard Size 0-18, the Casey Skirt and Brooks Blouse are print at home PDF patterns, and feature our new “Print Your Size” feature which utilizes a wonderful feature of the free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. I will elaborate on this in a post next week, but suffice it to say, there will be no confusion over which pattern line to cut when you use this feature.

You might think that is all I have to say, but it’s not. Since it is my golden birthday bash we are celebrating this week (21 on the 21st!), I wanted to do something special for you all and give you a discount on ALL Brijee Patterns. Simply use the code BDAYBASH for the next week when checking out to get 21% off your purchase. Please note this coupon code expires after July 28th. So if you have an eye on any of my patterns, buy them now!

So, what are you waiting for? Go purchase your own copy of the Casey Skirt and Brooks Blouse! I hope you will love them just as much as I do.

Happy sewing!

Brigid E.

Author: Brigid Everson | Photography: Charlotte Boyer