Made Again Patterns | Joey Tank Launch!!

Today is THE day! My first official pattern for Made Again Patterns has launched - it’s the Joey Tank! She’s a simple but satisfying project - classic halter lines are combined with sleek finishing techniques to make this a fun one day project, best for advanced beginners to intermediate sewers. Joey is a PDF download that you can print at home and comes with two hem options - a cropped length with side vent and a longer option with a duck bill hem (cropped shown in these photos with the scooped version here!). Each download includes the printable pattern pieces in sizes XS-2X for both views plus a fully illustrated pattern instruction booklet.

BEST of all, this pattern is designed specifically to work with secondhand garments. The Joey Tank will work with shirting weight fabrics (like a casual button down shirt from your partner’s closet!) to a maxi skirt you’re not wearing anymore (this version is from a linen blend thrifted dress!). Or maybe you have smaller yardage of fabrics stashed up that you’re ready to use! (You can make this in a yard of 60” wide fabric or a yard and a third of 45” wide fabric!) THERE IS AMAZING FABRIC OUT THERE JUST WAITING FOR A NEW LIFE!

Guys - creating this pattern was an awesomely fun challenge and my notebook is bursting with ideas for what comes next. I cannot thank all of you enough for the support of this idea - I’ve never felt so uplifted on anything I’ve taken on before - so thank you thank you thank you. AND to my group of sewers who tested this pattern and gave me detailed and critical feedback - your time and talents are truly appreciated.

Lastly - would you help me spread the word? Have a friend who doesn’t do social media but loves to sew? Tell her! Would your daughter/sister/cousin/mom enjoy this project? Gift it to her! Just want to support another woman/mom/maker?

BUY THE JOEY TANK HERE and use code FRIENDS20 for a 20% discount!

Jessica Sews | Navy Swiss Dot Joey Tank

Hot of the sewing machine (and just in time to wear for the Fourth of July weekend!) - my latest version of the Joey Tank! I love navy and white together and if you’re thinking this fabric looks familiar - you’re so right. It’s repurposed from a thrifted skirt and it’s actually the second time I’ve found this same piece at the thrift store! The first time I chopped it up I made this top (see it here or here)

View B of this tank works really well for a front tuck while still letting the back hang out. Kind of like the mullet version of a tank top? Whatever! I love it!

Finally - some good news!! After refining the fit and working with my amazing pattern testers over the past few weeks, I’m excited to announce this pattern will go on sale Monday morning! I have really enjoyed the process of draping, grading and writing/illustrating the instructions - it just feels like a perfect fit of my skills and passions. And it feels extra good when friends near and far are encouraging me along the way. I can’t wait to release this pattern into the world and see all of the amazing fabrics you guys upcycle and the outfits you create.

Jessica Sews | Made Again Patterns Joey Tank

First things first - you guys are the best. Thanks for the encouragement on the launch of Made Again Patterns. I’m soaking in loads of good vibes and putting them to use on the creation on the first clothing pattern. And this is it!

Introducing the Joey Tank! Inspired by summers from the late 90s - a time when days were spent at the neighborhood pool, with tan shoulders and daisies in our hair, cruising around with way too many people in the backseat of the one guy who had his license, 11 pm curfews, the sound of dial up internet and managing 26 different conversations… and finally… cue the Dawson’s Creek theme song.

To me, this tank captures all of that! It’s upcycled from a men’s button down (check out that pocket in back) and so easy to throw on with a part of shorts (which do not pass the regulation finger tip length circa 1999).

So here’s where I’m at in the development phase - I have the digital base pattern created plus the written and illustrated instructions drafted. What you see here is version one. I’ve made a few updates like continuous straps and binding which will be in the final version. Plus there’s a straight hem cropped version as well! I’ll be grading it and sending out to my testers in the next week with a hope to debut in July! (if you’d like to volunteer to stitch a sample and make notes in exchange for a free pattern, you can do that here) You can also follow Made Again Patterns on Instagram and Facebook for release updates. I’m also doing some behind-the-scenes of the process there too. Until then… happy summering, sewing and spending your time doing what you love doing most!

Jessica Sews | Made Again Patterns + Jane Dress

Hey guys! It’s a good old fashioned What I Wore post! Because nothing says I give AF like curling your hair on a Tuesday morning. Actually! I’m pretty excited because today I want to tell you about a new project I’m working on!

In the past few weeks I have been focusing my time and energy on a new endeavor - Made Again Patterns. Here’s the deal. Y’all know I love thrifting, sewing and combining the two to create one of a kind clothing for myself. I’m also at the point in my life where I am out of the weeds of caring for teeny tiny people as a SAHM into being a mom of more independent children ready to enter their school age years. Thus - I’ve been craving a new gig with the hopes that I can spend time growing my talents, challenging myself with new skills and if I pull this off, also making some money.

I’m in the development phase for clothing patterns - draping, sewing samples, grading, and writing and illustrating instructions. Although you can use flat fabric, my goal is to pattern these styles in such a way you can cut them from harvested secondhand fabric. I’ll also be creating how-to videos for a range of sewing techniques (so let me know what I can help you with!)

The dress I’m wearing is my own pattern and believe it or not, made up from a thrifted bedsheet! And it’s a full circle skirt!! I was initially going for sort of an 80s Pretty Woman polo match, but it ended up being a bit late 1950s. Either way, I love it!! I have a few kinks to work out but this is definitely something I want to offer you guys. There’s also a cute 90’s style halter that I think will be my first release this summer and later this fall I’ll be releasing a moto jacket. In the meantime, I have a free throw pillow already up in the shop as a printable PDF download.

I’ll also be looking for pattern testers, so if you’d like to sign up for that, please drop me a note here.

I am so thrilled to do all of my favorite things - sewing, thrifting and teaching others how to do something that has brought me so much joy over the past 25 plus years. I cannot thank you guys enough for the comments and messages that have been so encouraging with the projects I’ve been stitching up over the past 6 months. I really feel like I’ve found my groove and am so excited for what this could become!