Ana by Endearing Cloth

One of my goals this year is to spend more time making other people’s patterns. Self drafting is fulfilling and delightful to me, so I often find myself gravitating toward that instead of using patterns. But it’s so educational to use other people’s patterns! You learn new tips and tricks, and I love to see how different pattern makers draw illustrations and write instructions. Plus, you get the joy of supporting other pattern makers!

When Endearing Cloth told me she was releasing this pattern, she sent me a copy and I jumped into sewing right away! Her instructions and illustrations are beautiful and simple. They are easy to follow and result in a well finished garment. I feel honored to be the owner of this Ana Kimona!

Endearing Cloth Patterns
Endearing Cloth Patterns - Ana Kimona

Emily and I met on Instagram a few years ago when I messaged her and asked for tips on how to create such a beautiful feed (because her’s is so thoughtful and beautiful!). I was just starting out, had only a few followers, and really didn’t know what I was doing at all but trying to learn. She replied so kindly and gave me some pointers. We’ve been friends since! I’ve appreciated her friendship, encouragement, and support through the last few years.

Emily writes thoughtfully about slow living, the impact her grandmother has had on her life, her sewing journey, and other beautiful things. Not to mention she is an excellent seamstress! So, it was a real joy for me to sew up her first sewing pattern.

Endearing Cloth Patterns - Ana Kimona
Endearing Cloth Patterns - Ana Kimona

This fabric is a curtain that I got at a secondhand store last summer. It’s amazing how much good fabric you can find in the linen’s section at secondhand stores! It’s a double layered cotton and was perfect for this pattern because I think of Emily often when I see it sitting on my shelf. I used the existing hem for the bottom and one of the sides, and sort of absentmindedly happened to match up the stripes along the shoulders (I wasn't even thinking about it when I cut it out, but it just happened to be perfect).

The whole thing took me about an hour. One thing I really love about this pattern is that it’s paperless! She simply gives you the dimensions to cut the pieces and then shows you exactly how to sew them all together to create a professional finish. Printing and taping PDF’s together isn’t my favorite thing in the world, so I love that she doesn’t require her sewers to do that. I often feel more connected to a garment if I am more intimately connected to the creation process. Measuring and cutting out fabric instead of tracing around pattern pieces is one step closer to the rawness of a piece of clothing. It can feel like a special experience to partake in.

Endearing Cloth Patterns - Ana Kimona
Endearing Cloth Patterns - Ana Kimona
Endearing Cloth Patterns - Ana Kimona

As soon as I finished and put it on, I had visions of romantic summer evenings — wearing it on walks down our gravel, country road during sunset, and putting it on after a warm shower on a summer evening, keeping the warmth contained while trodding up to my bedroom to put on cozy pajamas. I think I’m quite enthralled with the idea of summer right now… All my daydreams seem to be centered around lovely warm summer evening scenarios, ha! Summer is a wonderful time of year in Iowa.

Thanks for the lovely and simple pattern, Emily. This was a delight to sew, and I’m looking forward to wearing it not only in my daydreams but in reality this summer.

If you’d like to get the Ana for yourself, here’s where to find it.

If you’d like to read more about the Ana, here is Emily’s blog.

Here is Emily’s lovely Instagram.