The g&g Sewing Society 2023

To mark our 5th year of bringing you our special Sewing Society dressmaking Kits that help you build a handmade wardrobe you love and feel proud of, we’ve rounded up all of the kit releases from 2023 in an inspiring summary of the year.

This year the g&g Sewing Society has brought you 62 different styles/fabric options, 13 different types of garment, over 10 different indie pattern designers collaborations with thousands of kits sent to makers all over the world!

It’s a real pleasure to be able to find the ideal pattern and fabric pairings for our kits and keep you inspired with new projects each month so picking a favourite or top selection of the kits for the year is super hard - I really do love them all - for different reasons!

For 2023 though, I’d have to say that the Bee Happy Blooms and Chicacheetah prints we released as part of our 10th Birthday celebrations in April was a really special moment! A lot of hard work and preparation had gone into those fabrics and kits, across the whole of the g&g team, and having the chance to showcase them to you at our in-store event is a memory I’ll treasure forever!

Helping you build a handmade wardrobe of gorgeous garments that you can easily pair together or mix and match with your existing handmade clothes is something we are really passionate about here at g&g! So with this in mind you can still browse the archive of past kits for inspiration!

If you have purchased a kit in the past you can also reference these as needed. Don’t forget all of my hints and tips videos are still available as a stand alone purchase and get yourself extra ideas and tutorials in the articles section!

If you have purchased one of the kits, you can access the PDF files and links to the videos in the order section of the website when you are logged in. So instead of having to dig out an old confirmation email, you can log in and see all of your files and video links in one place. Please do contact us if you are having issues accessing them and if you can't see a past order as we can assist you.

Let’s take a look at the round up of all the lovely kits we have brought you in 2023

February

We kicked off the Sewing Society kits for 2023 with two garments that were true wardrobe staples. The Archer Shirt from Grainline Studios and The Dawson Top from Helen's Closet. A versatile shirt with plenty of fun options for customising and a t-shirt that made you want to sew up in every variation. With one kit you could learn all about those satisfying shirt-making skills and the other you were introduced to knit fabrics, teaching you some new techniques!

The Archer Shirt from Grainline Studios is a truly classic shirt with all the essential details. The shirt has slightly dropped shoulders and features a traditional collar with collar stand, sleeve placket and cuffs, back yoke with pleat and optional front pockets. This pattern is compatible with so many different fabrics but we choose a fun embroidered denim and cosy needlecord for a more wintery option.

The Dawson Top from Helen's Closet, the ideal piece to build up your handmade wardrobe, and it’s a pattern you want to make again and again! This top looks great with a smart skirt, layered under overalls, even as a warm base layer or simply on its own with jeans. The super soft bamboo French Terry fabric we picked for this kit gives this simple classic a lux feel.

March

In March we brought you two slightly more involved projects so that you could really get your teeth stuck into. The first was the Durban Jumpsuit from Megan Nielsen that will fill a place in your wardrobe all year round. The second was the Sorrento Jacket from Sew Over It, the ultimate everyday jacket.

The Durban Jumpsuit from Megan Nielsen is a mix and match jumpsuit pattern with lots of options to make a perfect one-piece. You could choose from a V neck or round neckline; patch or inseam pockets; and tapered or wide leg cuts. You could also add interest by adding the optional belt and belt loops.

The gorgeous Tencel Denim we soured for this kit is not only super comfortable to wear but gives this garment a high end feel.

The quintessential denim jacket, the Sorrento Jacket from Sew Over It is a classic piece in anyone’s wardrobe. Designed to look great paired with anything from trousers to dresses, the Sorrento is the perfect throw-on for spring or for when summer evenings turn chilly.
We sourced two special colours of corduroy for this kit along with our popular Cone Mills non-stretch Denim for a classic look, with the option of a fluffy shearling collar to add a bit of contrast.

April

This was a super exciting, long awaited month as we saw the release of our extra special 10th anniversary kits! We featured two new kits with special fabrics exclusive to guthrie & ghani, as well as some lovely extras to compliment your me mades. First was our anniversary print 'Bee Happy Blooms' designed by Lauren in collaboration with Rachel Parker. Our long term g&g fans were quick to recognise our popular 'Chicacheetah' print was back, but this time in a French Terry fabric with a coordinating ribbing available - yay!

We chose two of our favourite garment patterns for April's kits. The first, a dress and top with lots of options for all through the seasons and the second, a quick and easy everyday item that you most likely now have multiple of!

Inject a little bohemian glamour into your wardrobe with the Nicks Dress & Top! With soft gathering and delicate details, it's satisfying to make and a pleasure to wear. The details in this garment paired perfectly with the soft and drapey Ecovero viscose of the Bee Happy Blooms print.

The Jarrah Sweater by Megan Nielsen is a loose fit drop shoulder sweater with a modern edge for easy style. You can customise the design with cuffs and a hem bank in the coordinating ribbing fabric or opt for an asymmetrical tie version for a playful twist on this classic garment.

June

After a little break from new kit releases in May, we were back with two kits to help get you summer ready! We had the gorgeous Arlette Skirt from Fibre Mood, this wrap skirt can be either sewn as a statement piece or kept simple for an everyday look. Its playful ruffle is both fun to sew and wear!

The second kit was a guthrie & ghani exclusive as it featured our very own Luskentyre pattern - Lauren’s dream hold-all bag! Perfect for filling with all your essentials on trips out and great for statement fabrics!


The Arlette Skirt from Fibre Mood captures the essence of summer with its playful and flowy nature. It looks equally great thrown on as a pool/beach cover-up or dressed up for dinner in the evening! Pop on a sun hat and sandals to keep things casual or pair with a crisp white blouse for easy style. We opted for two versatile colours of our popular viscose linen fabric that has just the right amount of swish for that statement ruffle, as well as a colourful cotton/linen - perfect for summer!

This Sewing Society exclusive pattern was designed by Lauren and is still her ideal bag for an adventure. We have seen so many gorgeous variations of the Luskintyre we can now officially say that it is many of your ideal bags too!

The Luskentyre Bag is a roomy shoulder bag which is fully lined and can comfortably hold all your essentials for a day at the beach, pool or for a picnic in the park!

We had 3 special designs of jacquard made especially for this kit by one of our French suppliers - oh la la!

July

July's kits will keep you looking stylish whilst being comfortable through the warmer weather from the summer and beyond.

The first is an oversized shirt, need we say anymore? Who doesn’t love something as easy and versatile to wear as an oversize shirt!? The Olya shirt can be styled so many ways from casual beach look, to chic lunch vibes or even smartened up for the office! The second is a comfortable trouser and shorts pattern that we have paired with neutral fabric colours making it super easy to tone into your wardrobe and pair with lots of other tops and blouses.

The Paper Theory Olya shirt is stylish and comfortable with a relaxed, effortlessly chic look. It has a loose, boxy fit which drapes gracefully over the body and looks great tucked in or open and loose.

This pattern is suitable for a wide variety of fabrics, but we choose three colours of a soft and drapy yarn-dyed viscose stripe fabric. It really shows off the interesting design features of this shirt and is a lovely light weight fabric to wear at this time of year!

The True Bias Dani Trousers & Shorts are an easy to wear pattern that has options for beginners and intermediate makers.

A tapered leg trouser with just the right amount of ease to skim the body without clinging, Dani can be made full length, or you can opt for the shorts view for summer style. We sure did make the choice between the two kits this month a hard one!

The 3 colours of our popular viscose linen that we choose for this project make them the ideal mix and match garment for me-made summer outfits!

August

Every now and then we all need a little sewing palate cleanser and this is what August brought as both garments this month were straightforward to sew with very little fitting, with no zip or a buttonhole in sight - yay!

The first was the Moss Jacket from Helen’s closet, a light jacket that we also made into a cardigan. In a first for the Sewing Society, this kit includes options for both woven and knit fabrics - you simply had to pick your favourite. The second the Remy Raglan keeps it simple with the plain front option, or sew the split front for a little extra detail, really allowing you to really make it to suit your style..

The Moss Jacket is the perfect layering piece that is easy to throw on to work with the rest of your wardrobe. It is a relaxed-fit jacket with a dropped shoulder and is designed to be worn open, giving it a casual and effortless look.

Although the pattern is designed for a wide variety of woven fabrics, we chose two bright colours of our popular range of Ramie fabrics along with two knitted fabrics with a ribbed texture that made the garment more like a cardigan - great!

Then we had the Remy Raglan from Sew House Seven, an easy, everyday top and one that we know you’ll make again and again.. Fitted across the shoulders with a more relaxed shaping over the body, Remy is a super comfortable pop-over design. It is a true wardrobe staple that really allows the fabric to shine. The delicate embroidered fabrics we picked for this kit made this simple design really stand out.

September

We figured that everyone needs a few items that make you feel polished, whether that's for meetings at work, or taking your favourite person for dinner. And that's exactly what we had for you!

The first kit, the Josephine, is an elegant dress and top pattern from Fibre Mood with a beautiful V-shaped keyhole neckline and plenty of gorgeous details. The second, the Mitchell Trousers from Closet Core, a trouser that was sure to jump straight to the top of your 'to sew' pile! This cleverly constructed pattern has options to suit all styles and the fabric we paired it with… an absolute dream to sew.

Josephine is an elegant dress and top pattern from Fibre Mood with a beautiful V-shaped keyhole neckline and plenty of gorgeous details. It can also be made as a top, and of course featuring some special fabrics made just for us. It has a delicate neckline that we completely fell in love with!

We had 3 exclusive designs of a viscose twill that offered a bit more weight for this time of year while still offering the drape and swish of viscose that we know you love.

The Mitchell Trousers from Closet Core are an elegant and comfortable trouser with some extra special details. They're a modern interpretation of the classic pleated trouser, but included some unique elements which set them apart. You can also sew them up with a full length wide leg or choose a tapered leg which finishes at the ankle.

This pattern can be made year round by choosing seasonally fitting fabric, but for this time of year, we opted for a cosy wool option. This soft, non-itchy, lightweight 100% wool looks super slick and keeps you warm - perfect!

October

Cosy season arrived and we fully embraced it! The first kit was something that we've had lots of requests for over the last few years... a coat! We always love to give you a wardrobe staple as well as something to add to your sewing repertoire.

We chose the Narva because if you've always wanted to try making a coat then this is a great starting pattern. Keeping it cosy we also had the comfy Elliot jumper with a unique knitted fabric. This is a pattern you'll want to make again and again too - we're already imagining all the variations!

The Narva is a knee-length coat with a full lining and two part sleeves. Featuring an angled lapel which can be left smooth or sewn with an optional decorative notch. There's also options for pockets; choose in-seam pockets for a simpler make or go all out with sleek welt pockets.

For the Narva we chose soft boiled wools, they are squishy and snuggly to wear. The 100% wool fabric has all the benefits you'd expect from wool - it keeps you warm. What we love about boiled wool is, it behaves a little more like a knit, it has some stretch to it and so is really comfortable to wear.

October

Cosy season arrived and we fully embraced it! The first kit was something that we've had lots of requests for over the last few years... a coat! We always love to give you a wardrobe staple as well as something to add to your sewing repertoire.

We chose the Narva because if you've always wanted to try making a coat then this is a great starting pattern. Keeping it cosy we also had the comfy Elliot jumper with a unique knitted fabric. This is a pattern you'll want to make again and again too - we're already imagining all the variations!

The Narva is a knee-length coat with a full lining and two part sleeves. Featuring an angled lapel which can be left smooth or sewn with an optional decorative notch. There's also options for pockets; choose in-seam pockets for a simpler make or go all out with sleek welt pockets.

For the Narva we chose soft boiled wools, they are squishy and snuggly to wear. The 100% wool fabric has all the benefits you'd expect from wool - it keeps you warm. What we love about boiled wool is, it behaves a little more like a knit, it has some stretch to it and so is really comfortable to wear.

This snuggly Elliot sweater from Helen’s Closet patterns, features a wide roll neck that can be left relaxed or folded down. It can also be sewn double the height for extra warmth!

This 100% cotton knitted fabric is a medium weight and comes in two knit designs; the navy and plum fabrics have a classic cable knit and the teal is a textured basket knit.

This snuggly Elliot sweater from Helen’s Closet patterns, features a wide roll neck that can be left relaxed or folded down. It can also be sewn double the height for extra warmth!

This 100% cotton knitted fabric is a medium weight and comes in two knit designs; the navy and plum fabrics have a classic cable knit and the teal is a textured basket knit.

November

Continuing to keep you cosy through the winter we had two makes that brought you an added layer of comfort. These incredibly stylish patterns paired with some gorgeous fabrics we knew would have all of your friends asking “where did you buy that?!”

The Sabel Cardi from Style Arc, an oversized cardigan with a straight cut that is super snuggly and warm for the winter. It has a dropped more fitted sleeve that compliments the otherwise roomy design. We have loved watching you all make the Sabel your own including cropped versions and even a reversible cardi!

What makes this cardigan really special is the one of a kind fabric we sourced for the kits. This chunky wool blend is super soft and lofty with a zigzag design knitted into the fabric. You can still purchase this fabric by the metre, it is linked below!

November

Continuing to keep you cosy through the winter we had two makes that brought you an added layer of comfort. These incredibly stylish patterns paired with some gorgeous fabrics we knew would have all of your friends asking “where did you buy that?!”

The Sabel Cardi from Style Arc, an oversized cardigan with a straight cut that is super snuggly and warm for the winter. It has a dropped more fitted sleeve that compliments the otherwise roomy design. We have loved watching you all make the Sabel your own including cropped versions and even a reversible cardi!

What makes this cardigan really special is the one of a kind fabric we sourced for the kits. This chunky wool blend is super soft and lofty with a zigzag design knitted into the fabric. You can still purchase this fabric by the metre, it is linked below!

The Eleonore Trousers from Jalie Patterns are the kind of pattern that can easily become your 'go-to' trouser. We love a ‘go to’ so you can show off your makes daily! They are comfortable to wear, straightforward to sew and can easily be dressed up or down.

For this kit we chose a stretch velvet fabric in three lovely colours: navy, tan and pink. This cotton stretch velvet has a short pile, which gives the fabric a fairly matt appearance for a velvet, with just a subtle sheen. It is really soft and the added elastane means that the fabric has a great amount of stretch and recovery making for a super comfy pair of trousers!

The Eleonore Trousers from Jalie Patterns are the kind of pattern that can easily become your 'go-to' trouser. We love a ‘go to’ so you can show off your makes daily! They are comfortable to wear, straightforward to sew and can easily be dressed up or down.

For this kit we chose a stretch velvet fabric in three lovely colours: navy, tan and pink. This cotton stretch velvet has a short pile, which gives the fabric a fairly matt appearance for a velvet, with just a subtle sheen. It is really soft and the added elastane means that the fabric has a great amount of stretch and recovery making for a super comfy pair of trousers!

December

December’s Kits had fabrics that were almost polar opposites and we wanted to offer kits to develop your skills in very different ways! One was floaty, fine and drapey, the elegant Gladys Blouse in beautiful bold colours and the other sturdy and hardwearing portland bag, with a technical finish.

For both kits we sourced all the lovely coordinating notions you'd need. We had delicate little buttons and strong metal hardware, all carefully colour-matched for you - yay!

The Gladys Blouse from Fibre Mood we hoped would be your answer to 'what shall I wear?' for the festive season. A delicate blouse that has a relaxed fit and plenty of pretty details. We choose 3 colours of this 100% viscose light and floaty fabric that has a gorgeous crinkle texture to it, which adds visual interest to the blouse.

December

December’s Kits had fabrics that were almost polar opposites and we wanted to offer kits to develop your skills in very different ways! One was floaty, fine and drapey, the elegant Gladys Blouse in beautiful bold colours and the other sturdy and hardwearing portland bag, with a technical finish.

For both kits we sourced all the lovely coordinating notions you'd need. We had delicate little buttons and strong metal hardware, all carefully colour-matched for you - yay!

The Gladys Blouse from Fibre Mood we hoped would be your answer to 'what shall I wear?' for the festive season. A delicate blouse that has a relaxed fit and plenty of pretty details. We choose 3 colours of this 100% viscose light and floaty fabric that has a gorgeous crinkle texture to it, which adds visual interest to the blouse.

The Portland Tote from Sotak Patterns is set to become your most reached-for handbag; compact in size yet roomy enough to fit all your everyday essentials.

The portland has multiple straps and lots of pocket options (we know you love a pocket!). On the outside it features a roomy slip pocket which closes at the top with a strong magnetic snap.

The outer fabrics we’ve sourced for the Portland are a hard wearing cotton canvas with a dry wax finish from outdoor fabric experts British Millerain. The finish on the fabric makes it water resistant, so you don’t need to worry if you and your bag get caught in the rain!

The Portland Tote from Sotak Patterns is set to become your most reached-for handbag; compact in size yet roomy enough to fit all your everyday essentials.

The portland has multiple straps and lots of pocket options (we know you love a pocket!). On the outside it features a roomy slip pocket which closes at the top with a strong magnetic snap.

The outer fabrics we’ve sourced for the Portland are a hard wearing cotton canvas with a dry wax finish from outdoor fabric experts British Millerain. The finish on the fabric makes it water resistant, so you don’t need to worry if you and your bag get caught in the rain!