My Top 10 Sewing Patterns List by Garment Type

Pattern Review just introduced a feature called My Top 10 List as a feature of the pattern stash.

Last year alone I sewed over 200 different patterns. I can pick only 10? Challenge accepted.

I began by listing patterns be type. Then I evaluated how often I sewed the pattern and even more important, how often I wore the garments. 

My most sewn, most worn patterns are all dresses. Not a surprise. Dresses are my most worn garment. For business. For casual. For travel. I love how I can put on a dress and be done. I also love how I can vary my look by changing shoes, scarves, jewelry and toppers. In a world where there is too much to do, I like easy decisions when getting dressed. Pardon the bad pun.

Since I had a difficult time confining my list to just dresses, let alone 10 patterns period, I present my favorite patterns by type:

Tops: I have 41 tops reviewed on Pattern Review. Of those, these are the patterns I've sewn and worn again and again:

  1. Simplicity 3003 turtleneck
  2. Butterick 6517 knit top
  3. Vogue 8815 peplum top
  4. Vogue 8880 cap sleeve top 
  5. Butterick 6685 cap sleeve top with self-belt
  6. Vogue 9279 made as top with flounce sleeves

Pants: I have 11 pants reviewed on Pattern Review. IMHO sewing pants is easy. Sewing pants that fit well is the most challenging of all sewing projects. I am still working on the perfect pair of pants. Of those, these are the patterns I've sewn and worn again and again:

  1. New Look 6217 slim pants with side or back zipper
  2. Butterick 6901 pants with front pleat and side or back zipper
  3. Butterick 6865 pull-on pants with elastic waist

Vests: I only have 1 vest reviewed on pattern review and it’s a keeper: 

  1. Butterick 6901 made reversible, coordinates with slacks/shorts in same pattern

Dresses:  I reviewed 122 dresses on pattern review. I love dresses. They are my most worn garment. These are my most sewn and worn:

  1. Vogue 8663 knit fit & flare dress with great pleating at neckline
  2. Vogue 9293 stylized fit & flare or sheath woven dress
  3. Vogue 8919 dolman sleeve, princess seam fit & flare or sheath dress; great for color blocking; excellent for petites
  4. McCalls 6957 petite knit fit & flare with self-belt
  5. McCalls 7714 petite fit & flare or sheath, princess seam, defined waist woven dress; great fo color blocking & scrap busting
  6. McCalls 6886 knit T shirt dress
  7. McCalls 7085 petite darted sheath dress
  8. Butterick 6624 petite princess seam sheath dress
  9. Butterick 5520 petite raglan sleeve sheath dress
  10. Butterick 4443 woven fit & flare dress 
  11. Butterick 6703 mock wrap dress with straight or flared skirt 

Coordinates: I reviewed 14 coordinates, which are great office wear. These are my repeats and recommendations:

  1. Butterick 6528 Eileen Fisher inspired coordinates 
  2. Simplicity 8980 cap sleeved fitted dress & coat
  3. Simplicity 9925 knit coordinates

Suits & Separates: I reviewed 19 suits & separates; most were office wear. Only a few were sewn for casual as I am not a fan of matchy matchy. These are my repeats and recommendations:

  1. Vogue 9351office ready jacket, top, dress, pants & very sexy jumpsuit 
  2. Vogue 8916 classic jacket, top, dress & skirt
  3. Butterick 6463 jacket, dress, skirt & pants
  4. Butterick 6299 jacket and dress 
  5. Vogue 8146 dress + Vogue 9266 jacket 
  6. Vogue 9184 dress + Butterick 6463 jacket

Toppers: jackets, blazers & sweaters

  1. Butterick 6463 dolman sleeve, top stitched jacket
  2. Vogue 8916 loose fitting, princess seams "Chanel-style" jacket
  3. Butterick 6368 Sew & Sew fitted cardigan with or without self-belt
  4. Vogue 1060 Sandra Betzina unlined coat with shawl collar & dolman sleeves 
  5. Pamela's Patterns 110 Cool Cardigan with draped front

Outerwear: Coats & Jackets: I reviewed 12 coats and 2 outerwear. I love coats as I love the outdoors. I am a firm believe there is no bad weather, just bad equipment. Hence, I take a lot of care of having coats that will allow me to be comfortable in my different outdoor activities. Or just long walks to the subway in the city. These are my repeats and recommendations:

  1. Kwik Sew 2948 Knit Coatigan
  2. Kwik Sew Shawl Collar Coatigan
  3. McCalls 7058 Petite Jacket
  4. McCalls 7848 Petite Coat

Bathing suits & coverups: I never sewed a swimsuit until the PR contest in 2023. Since then, I have been a bi obsessed with being able to make swimsuits that fit my body and my style. For a fraction the cost in stores. I reviewed 21 swim projects on pattern review. Of those, these are my favorites:

  1. McCalls 7964 plunge one piece
  2. Vogue 9192, View C  one shoulder one piece 
  3. Greenstyle Creations Seaside Bikinin Bottoms 
  4. McCalls 7516 halter style bikini top
  5. McCalls 8329 bikini top
  6. Simplicity 1100 sarong & coverup

Active Wear Leggings

  1. Simplicity 8212, View C
  2. Simplicity 8561, View B 
  3. McCalls 8244, View 

Active Wear Sports Bras

  1. McCalls 8368, View B
  2. Simplicity 8560, View C with View B back  

Toddlers: I reviewed 11 toddler projects. Is there any greater joy than sewing for the grand kids? Mine already like to look through stash patterns and fabric and order clothes they want me to make. Budding designers. These are my repeats and recommendations for toddler patterns:

  1. McCalls 9915 toddler dress or peplum top
  2. Tilly & the Buttons Mini Makes: Tabitha Shirt, Billie Sweatshirt, Ridley leggings
  3. McCalls 6431 car poncho

Bags: I sewed few bags and no handbags before the PR bag contest. It was a great seminar like sewing experience. I reviewed 20 bags on Pattern Review. These are my highly recommend bag patterns:

  1. Simplicity 9803 Small bags & accessories. Great for small dress purse.
  2. Simplicity 9407 Used to recreate my perfect pick pocket resistant travel bag

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