Three Peppermint friends show us why the Somerset is your go-to party dress
- Words by Peppermint
If you’re in the business of stealing shows, then the vacay-ready Peppermint Somerset Swing Dress is your gal!
We invited three fabulous sewists from the Peppermint community to take a turn on the dance floor with the Somerset Swing Dress. The results? Spectacular! The lack of zips and buttons makes for a swift sew, which was loved by all – and talk about impact!
Check out these beautiful versions of our fave party dress, created in collaboration with Jasmin Henzi of Sewing Patterns by Masin and supported by our pals at Spoonflower, and join the Somerset fan club.
Kayla / @GracefullyVintage
How cute is this pattern?!
I was recently contacted by Peppermint Magazine to collaborate on the Peppermint Somerset Swing Dress and create my own version of this flirty little dress. The dress didn’t take me long to make at all, especially since it doesn’t require any zips or buttons etc. Sewing Patterns by Masin has created such a perfect little party dress!
I was sent the pattern and was able to choose my fabric from Spoonflower for this dress. I chose the Hydrangea blue and white Hamptons style print by Chrissyink. The underdress is made with cotton lawn, and for the top layer, I used chiffon.
For sizing I cut a size D. I do think next time I could size down to a C, but this still has a beautiful fit to it. It is such a cute and comfortable little dress. This isn’t a style I’d usually choose for myself, but I loved having this opportunity to try something different and finally sew with chiffon for the first time. The underdress is a genius idea for this type of style with such a flowy layer on top and it elevates the elegance of this dress.
It must have been the lack of sleep I had last night but I somehow forgot to cross the straps at the back. I took a photo of how I should have been wearing [the straps] but I think either way still works.
It’s also my birthday today so it was fun to take some photos in this dress too! This was such a fun project and I’m so thankful for the chance to work with Peppermint Magazine.
Brita / @BritaSews
If this isn’t the cutest, flirtiest little party dress ever!
Peppermint Magazine approached me and asked if I would like to sew up their most recent pattern: the Peppermint Somerset Swing Dress, and of course I said yes – I already had the pattern out and on my to-make list!
I got to choose a fabric from Spoonflower for this make and selected a cotton silk blend so it would be light and drapey. The print is called ‘Field of Flowers’ in Primary Colors by Carey Copeland.
I cut a size B based on the finished garment measurements. I was between a B and C, and I think either would have worked. The adjustable strap means you have a little more leeway. Next time I would make it a little longer and in a slightly slubby textured fabric for a more casual beachside vibe.
No zips, no buttons, no bias, no fastenings: this is a super quick sew that comes together really well. Sewing Patterns by Masin is so clever!
Thank you, Peppermint, for the opportunity!
Sylvia/ @KismetSews
It may be Friday the 13th but the only thing shocking me is this dress I made using Peppermint Magazine pattern, the Somerset Swing Dress. This dress is so beautiful. If you love to twirl, then it’s perfect for you. I did change it a little by making the front split instead of sewing the pieces together. The fabric comes from Spoonflower. It’s a Poly Crepe de Chine in a gorgeous Art Deco design. Look at how flowy it is! This custom fabric was so easy to work with. The best part of this dress design is that it has no zippers or buttons, which I love! So, if you need to sew up a chic dress and are low on time, the Somerset dress is perfect for you.
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
Brighten up your inbox with our not-too-frequent emails featuring Peppermint-related news, events, competitions and more!
explore
More articles
Look, I don’t want to make anyone panic but IT’S DECEMBER!!! If you’re planning to give homemade gifts, you’re going to have to act fast. …
Hang out with us on Instagram
🌻 The Paddington 🌻
This is a much-loved staple, created for Issue 50 in 2021. We love seeing the #PeppermintPaddingtonTop continually popping up in our feeds!
How stunning is our model Elon MelaninGoddessEfon – she told us it was one of the first times she had been asked to come to a shoot with her natural hair. 🌻
We worked with South African patternmaker Sarah Steenkamp of @FrenchNavyNow_ to create this wardrobe essential – the perfect puff-sleeve blouse. Raglan sleeves make it the ultimate beginner sew, plus the gorgeous back buttons let you add your own personal twist.
Pattern via the link in bio! 🪡
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Fabric: @Spoonflower
Model: MelaninGoddessEfon
“In the 1940’s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute. As purveyors of traditional craft, we felt it appropriate to revisit this design.”
Crafters have often been at the heart of many protest movements, often serving as a powerful means of political expression. @NeedleAndSkein, a yarn store in Minnesota, are helping to mobilise the craftivists of the world with a ‘Melt The Ice’ knitting pattern created by @Yarn_Cult (with a crochet pattern too), as a way of peaceful protest.
The proceeds from the $5 pattern will go to local immigrant aid organisations – or you can donate without buying the pattern.
Raise those needles, folks – art and craft can change the world. 🧶
Link in bio for the pattern.
Images: @Gather_Fiber @NeedleAndSkein @a2ina2 @KyraGiggles Sandi.204 @WhatTracyMakes AllieKnitsAway Auntabwi2
#MeltTheIce #Craftivism #Knitting #CraftForChange
TWO WEEKS TO GO! 🤩
"The most important shift is moving from volume-led buying to value-led curation – choosing fewer, better products with strong ethics, considered production and meaningful stories. Retailers have real influence here: what you buy signals what you stand for. At Life Instyle, this means using the event to discover and invest in small-scale, planet-considerate brands that align with your values and your customer’s conscience. Consumers don’t need more things; they need better things, and retailers play a key role in selecting, contextualising, and championing why those products matter."
Only two more weeks until @Life_Instyle – Australia`s leading boutique retail trade show. If you own a store, don`t miss this event! Connect with designers, source exquisite – and mindful – products, and see firsthand why this is Australia’s go-to trade show for creatives and retailers alike. And it`s free! ✨️
Life Instyle – Sydney/Eora Country
14-17 February 2026
ICC, Darling Harbour
Photos: @Samsette
#LifeInstyle #SustainableShopping #SustainableShop #RetailTradeEvent
Calling all sewists! 📞
Have you made the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress yet? Call *1800 I NEED THIS NOW to get making!
This gorgeous green number was modelled (and made) by the fabulous Lisa of @Tricky.Pockets 🙌🏼
If you need a nudge, @ePrintOnline are offering Peppermint sewists a huge 🌟 30% off ALL A0 printing 🌟 when you purchase the Special Release Waratah Wrap Dress pattern – how generous is that?!
Head to the link in bio now 📞
*Not a real number in case that wasn`t clear 😂
#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
8 Things to Know About January 26 - from @ClothingTheGaps:
Before you celebrate, take the time to learn the truth. January 26 is not a day of unity it’s a Day of Mourning and Survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It marks the beginning of invasion, dispossession, and ongoing colonial violence. It’s time for truth-telling, not whitewashed history.
Stand in solidarity. Learn. Reflect. Act.
✊🏽 Blog written by Yorta Yorta woman Taneshia Atkinson.
🔗 Link in bio of @ClothingTheGaps to read the full blog
#ChangeTheDate #InvasionDay #SurvivalDay #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #ClothingTheGaps
As the world careens towards AI seeping into our feeds, finds and even friend-zones, it`s becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
We just wanted to say that here at Peppermint, we are choosing to not print or publish AI-generated art, photos, words, videos or content.
Merriam-Webster’s human editors chose `slop` as the 2025 Word of the Year – they define it as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” The problem is, as AI increases in quality, it`s becoming more and more difficult to ascertain what`s real and what`s not.
Let`s be clear here, AI absolutely has its place in science, in climate modelling, in medical breakthroughs, in many places... but not in replacing the work of artists, writers and creatives.
Can we guarantee that everything we publish is AI-free? Honestly, not really. We know we are not using it to create content, but we are also relying on the artists, makers and contributors we work with, as well as our advertisers, to supply imagery, artwork or words created by humans. AI features are also creeping into programs and apps too, making it difficult to navigate. But we will do our best to avoid it and make a stand for the artists and creatives who have had their work stolen and used to train AI machines, and those who are now losing work as they are replaced by this energy-sapping, environment-destroying magic wand.
Could using it help our productivity and bottom line? Sure. And as a small business in a difficult landscape, that`s a hard one to turn down. We know other publishers who use AI to write stories, create recipes, produce photo shoots... but this one is important to us.
`Touch grass` was also a Merriam-Webster Word of the Year. We`ll happily stick with that as a theme, thanks very much. 🌿
