I AM Barbara in collaboration with @bee_made

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I started following Barbara’s sewing journey on her blog, long before we met in real life. I was immediately drawn to everything about her; her style, her choice of fabrics, but above all, it was her smile and what it showed about her personality. 

A few years ago, I asked Barbara if she would like to collaborate. To be honest, she was the first person I ever asked to collaborate with I AM Patterns. But time passed, she was busy, I was busy…but this year, we made it happen. 

Today, as a result of many months of working together, we are so happy to unveil the Barbara shirt and dress. 

We hope that each seamstress will appreciate the design and interpret it in their own unique style. 

Happy sewing, everyone, and a big THANK YOU to Barbara!

Marie-Emilienne

I AM BARBARA

I am contemporary yet timeless, and always elegant. My graceful nature, allied with my distinctive details, makes me the perfect sewing pattern for all occasions.

I AM Patterns Barbara Sewing pattern in collaboration with @Beemade denim dress
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I AM Patterns Barbara Sewing pattern in collaboration with @Bee_made white poplin shirt
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I AM Patterns Barbara Sewing pattern in collaboration with @Bee_made white poplin shirt
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I AM Patterns Barbara Sewing pattern in collaboration with @bee_made blue stipes poplin shirt
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I am a classic shirt with added flair: I have a classic shirt sleeves and collar, cuffs with a slit opening, a back yoke and a centre-back pleat. My front buttons are hidden under a placket and I have a wide cut. I can also be made as a dress. My details make me truly unique: my front and/or back flounces are set in the sleeves. I have three different flounce shapes, with or without godets for a totally original style.


I AM Barbara is a reflection of our two worlds: the timeless style and precision of I AM Patterns’ designs, and the diverse variations that were important to me. These enable each seamstress to adapt the pattern to fit their personality, their lifestyle, and to wear this pattern for all occasions.

I AM Barbara’s details

I AM Barbara has 3 flounce options

I AM Patterns Barbara Sewing pattern in collaboration with @bee_made blue stipes poplin shirt front
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Flat flounces

I AM Patterns Barbara Sewing pattern in collaboration with @bee_made patterned shirt
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Short flounces with godets

I AM Patterns Barbara Sewing pattern in collaboration with @bee_made denim dress
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Long flounces with godets

I AM Barbara can be made in two lengths

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Shirt

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Dress-shirt

And features beautiful details

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Concealed button placket

I AM Patterns Barbara Sewing pattern in collaboration with @bee_made patterned shirt cuff details
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Cuffs with slit opening

I AM Patterns Barbara Sewing pattern in collaboration with @bee_made white poplin shirt
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Front and/or back flounces

Barbara and Marie-Emilienne tell you more about the collaboration

I AM Patterns Barbara Sewing pattern in collaboration with @bee_made and Marie-Emilienne
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How did you meet?

Barbara: Marie-Emilienne contacted me first in 2015 (6 years ago already). She liked and followed my sewing journey on my blog which I started in 2012.That’s how I was able to sew her first patterns. We then met “for real” at CSF, a very popular French sewing fair. We chatted a lot, we got along straight away, we had the same vision of sewing.

Marie-Emilienne: The first time I met Barbara, I was very emotional. Touched to meet such a nice, delightful person. We had coffee and chatted about everything and nothing, and a little sewing as well of course. We don’t see each other a lot, but it’s always so enjoyable to meet with her. Barbara has always supported me, from the early days of I AM Patterns and again today. I want to thank her from the bottom of my heart for that.

How did you work together?

Barbara: I’ve always dreamed of being able to create my own pattern but without knowledge of pattern making, I couldn’t do it. Several years ago, Marie-Emilienne offered to design a pattern together. I was very keen on it because I knew the quality of the patterns she designed.

Earlier this year, she sent me a moodboard for a shirt that would complement the I AM A Miracle collection launched in September.

I immediately liked her idea, but I wanted to go further, I looked for other inspirations, we then exchanged several times to refine the details, the lengths and the different types of flounces, then Marie-Emilienne made the prototypes.

She succeeded in creating what I had in mind. If from the outside the flounces look simple, it is a very precise work of design and adjustment, so that each flounce falls nicely when the arms are along the body and also when you lift your arms.

Is the end pattern what you had in mind?

Barbara : I AM Barbara is a reflection of our two worlds: the timeless style and precision of I AM Patterns’ designs, and the diverse variations that were important to me. These enable each seamstress to adapt the pattern to fit their personality, their lifestyle, and to wear this pattern for all occasions.

Marie-Emilienne: Barbara came up with new ideas, both “in tune with the times” and timeless. I think if I had to define Barbara’s universe, that’s what I would say. I love the fact that you can sew both a “designer” piece and at the same time a timeless piece. It depends on the chosen version.

Which is your favourite version?

Barbara: If I had to choose only one, I would say the white cotton poplin shirt with the medium flounces on the front and the back, it is very “haute couture” and it is timeless!

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On a daily basis, I think the ones I would wear most are my printed viscose shirt with the short front flounces and also the Tencel denim dress that I made in midi length.

I AM Patterns Barbara Sewing pattern in collaboration with @bee_made white poplin shirt
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To my surprise, the version I can see myself wearing the most with is the simple shirt dress without flounces. But, like Barbara my favorite is the white shirt front and back flat flounces.

Barbara, do you already have hacks in mind?

Barbara: I AM Barbara offers a lot of different ways to hack it:  

– Replace the flounces by a gathered band of 2’’ (5 cm) maximum

– Cut the 2 front flounces in one piece and sew it as a rounded neckline dress without collar

– Use the back flounces to transform the pattern into a trench coat.

Marie-Emilienne: As usual, Barbara’s ideas are great hack ideas. I have always enjoyed watching Barbara hack our patterns. Barbara always makes clothes that really fit her personality. It’s amazing how talented she is at it. She reinvents a pattern, adapts it, sublimates it.


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