I’m so excited to introduce you to my latest pattern the Protea Capsule Wardrobe! This pattern has a whopping five variations and enough mix and match options for you to create your own unique look. We’ve been working on Protea for two years and it’s been such an enjoyable process adding to it incrementally and making sure we got all the details and fit just right for you. Let me tell you more about Protea!
Design Details
Protea includes some really beautiful design details that are so fun to work with. For this pattern, I wanted to make something that would be really achievable for a less experienced sewer, but with all the visual interest of something more complex. The pattern includes a fitted sleeve and a flutter sleeve as well as round neckline and square neckline options. Both necklines are finished with beautiful wide facings. The pattern includes blouse, dress and skirt options which can be mixed and matched as well. One of the really fun details is the wide drawstring casing which can be used to cinch in the waistline of the dress if desired. This casing can be worn up towards the bodice, or down towards the skirt – you can even topstitch it down if you like! The bodice includes bust darts and a loose fit and the bodice doesn’t include any closures. There are two skirt options for a knee-length skirt and a midi-length tiered skirt – and of course, our signature anchored pockets. This pattern is both pretty and practical and can be used to make a small capsule wardrobe and mix it with your existing wardrobe.
All the tutorials!
As always we’ve got a wonderful and really comprehensive sewalong planned for you. In a few weeks, Holly will guide you through every single step of sewing your Protea wardrobe, along with fitting and hack advice.
We’ll be spending the next month taking you through the Protea sewalong!
Choosing fabric
This pattern is drafted for light to medium weight fabrics and can look and feel quite differently based on fabric choice. For our samples, we used light and medium-weight linen, cotton voile and cotton sateen. Our testers used an even wider range of fabrics and we can’t wait to show you how well this pattern works with those too.
All the variations!
Protea was originally designed as a round neck dress & blouse pattern, then (in true Megan Nielsen form) before I knew it, we had two neckline options, two sleeve options & two skirt options!
We’ve been working on this pattern so long that there was plenty of time for me to get carried away and continually add details. I’m really happy that we took our time with this pattern and allowed it to develop organically because we absolutely adore the final pattern!
Let’s have a look at the included variations!
View A is a dress with round neckline, gathered skirt & fitted sleeves
This was the original view of Protea when it was initially drafted, and this view includes fitted sleeves, a round neckline, bust darts, a simple gathered skirt and anchored pockets. This is such a low-fuss view that really lets the fabric shine. It’s incredibly comfortable and I must admit to living in mine all summer.
View B is a woven tee with square neckline & fitted sleeves
This view is a loose-fit blouse that includes fitted sleeves and a square neckline. We love the shape of the square neckline and facings and are really excited to try using the facings on the right side of the garment as a feature! This view is really all about the neckline, and is a great option if you’ve been wanting to try a square neckline!
View C is a dress with square neckline, flutter sleeves, tiered gathered skirt & drawstring
I know I shouldn’t play favourites… but this is my favourite view. This view includes allll the details. It has a square neckline with facings, flutter sleeves, tiered gathered skirt and waist channel with drawstring. And of course pockets ;) I initially made a version of this dress as a hack for after the release, but every time I wore it I was literally stopped constantly by strangers – in the street, in the grocery store, in the hardware store, picking my kids up from school – asking where I bought it. That honestly just doesn’t happen normally, so I knew this dress was specially and had to be included in the pattern! The amazing thing about this view is that even though it is beautiful and dramatic, it’s still incredibly comfortable and practical which makes it a real win.
View D is a woven tee with round neckline & flutter sleeves
This view is really all about the statement sleeves! View D is a loose-fit blouse with round neckline and flutter sleeves. It works equally well with solids and prints, and the flutter sleeves and beautifully cool and comfortable for a hot day. This is a great option for anyone who wants to try different sleeve shapes, or who isn’t particularly a fan of a fitted sleeve. Personally, I just want to wear flutter sleeves all the time now, they are so delicately pretty and super comfortable.
View E is a tiered gathered skirt with elastic waistband & drawstring
This view is such a quick and easy make, and so satisfying! It’s rare that you can put something together quickly that has as much visual impact as this skirt, and I really love it! Again this view works well with prints and solids. The waistband is elasticated making it incredibly comfortable, and also includes a drawstring as an added detail. Our beloved anchored pockets are still there, and I’m pleased to report that with all those gathers it’s possible to fit an entire handbag worth of stuff in your pockets without anyone noticing ;)
How Does it Fit?
All of the garments in the Protea Capsule Wardrobe are designed with a loose fit. The tops and dresses are designed to be pulled over your head and do not include closures. The skirt as well is elasticated and loose from the waist down which is very comfortable. The loose fit makes it very forgiving, and the pattern usually requires minimal fitting. Both the 0-20 and Curve 14-34 patterns include sleeve opening measurements, which is something we’ve had requests for in the past and I’m really keen to find out if you found them useful!
All the sizes!
As with all our patterns, Protea is available in sizes 0-20 and Curve sizes 14-34.
Choosing Your Size Range
If you find yourself in the crossover 14-20 sizes and are struggling to choose between the Protea and Protea Curve patterns we will have a comprehensive post coming in a few days detailing how to choose the pattern that’s best for you.
I hope you love this pattern as much as we loved working on it for you! If you have any questions please let me know in the blog comments!
We can’t wait to see what you create with the Protea Capsule Wardrobe! Don’t forget to tag your makes #MNprotea and @megannielsenpatterns because we love seeing what you make!
Don’t have the pattern yet?
