Fall Superlatives 2026
Summer vacations and pool days are over for now. Fall is when we all head back to our sewing machines for cozy crafting. Here are the most-loved notions, patterns, books, trinkets, and fabrics that defined a season of making.
Fabric
Most Loved: Sprouts Woven in Sunglow
Fableism remains a complete obsession (and for good reason!). As the only Fableism retailer in Nebraska, A Cut Above has a responsibility to keep it coming!* The Sprouts collection is the perfect “interesting” solid. The 100% cotton fabric has that soft, lived-in feel, and the little crisscrosses give a sweet detail. You all are loving this in “Sunglow,” the happy color that just feels warm.
*Selections from the Swedish Meadow collection are already ordered for Spring!
Most Versatile: Brussels Washer Yarn Dye in Espresso
You may remember the Brussels Washer Yarn Dye from Summer Superlatives. It’s back, this time in the rich, brown tones of Espresso. This 55% Linen, 45% Rayon has beautiful drape and makes lovely wide-leg pants, wrap dresses, and flowy tops. The earthy color is dynamic enough to pair with blacks, browns, and creams, and it makes a beautiful base for your brights, too.
Books
Most Surprising: Zero Waste Patterns by Birgitta Helmersson
If you think Zero Waste could only mean rectangle tops and rectangle skirts, check out Zero Waste Patterns by Birgitta Helmersson. Imagine using up all that beautiful fabric and making a highly designed garment. Need ideas for those fabric scraps? Not if you don’t create them in the first place! It's also a great pattern book for those who can’t stand paper patterns: you take measurements and mark directly on your fabric.
Most Adorable: Make Your Own Animal Friends by Katia Ferris
For all the garment makers: If crafting little bowties and trousers isn’t enough to draw you in, the idea of a perfect heirloom gift or darling desk buddy might be. These animal dolls make an engaging project, and the result is something you or your gift recipient will cherish forever. And if the little ones destroy one animal friend? Don’t worry, there are so many cute options of friends to make!
Gifts and Trinkets
Most Likely to be Addicting: The Ultimate Sashiko Card Deck by Susan Briscoe
Sashiko is at the top of my list of new hobbies to try, and you all agree. Those satisfying, geometric stitches once used to extend a garment’s life now add beauty to everything from bags to clothes to quilts. With The Ultimate Sashiko Card Deck, those already familiar with the concept have 52 different patterns to try. How exciting!
Most Laughs: Sweary Labels Advent Calendar
Want one more way to add whimsy to your custom clothing? Try labels with cute and sometimes laughably inappropriate messages. Sure, the Sweary Labels Advent Calendar makes a great gift for a sewist in your life, but many of you are getting one for yourself and sewing the labels into handmade gifts. You get all the anticipation and dopamine of popping out each little compartment; they get a one-of-a-kind gift. Win-win!
Pattern
Most Likely to Travel the World: Sallie Tomato Lamont Crossbody Bag
Even in the mini version on display in-store, the Lamont Crossbody Bag still fits all your essentials. It even has a clip on the strap to attach accessories. Clip on your sunglasses, earbuds, or scarf. This bag is also highly customizable. You can position the pocket on the front or back of the bag, leaving room for embroidery, labels, and appliqué. Choose a contrast lining, webbing, and any hardware color you (or your gift recipient) like!
Best Wardrobe-Builder: Flaneur Pants by Friday Pattern Company
These elastic-back pants with a proper zipper fly are a great mix of simple, customizable, and fun to make. Jeans are often thought of as the “Mount Everest” of garment sewing, but these pants, designed for wandering and exploring, are easier to fit than your typical rigid pair thanks to generous ease and scrunch at the back that leaves no room for gaping. If you’ve never tackled a zipper fly before, Friday Pattern Company is a great companion to help you through it. They have a full sew-along on YouTube! You’ll want to make more than one pair.
Notions
Most Loved: Wonder clips
These colorful clips have been marching out of the store steadily since opening. One customer came back for a second set, explaining she had bought a knockoff from that large online retailer, only to see them all break one by one. Your testimonials directly inform what shows up in the store and what comes back! Wonder clips are sticking around. By the way, if you’re only using pins, add clips to your arsenal; you won’t regret it!
Most Unexpected: Ezy-Pull Bodkin
Pulling elastic through a channel? Better grab a safety pin! Oh no, the safety pin has bent, and now it’s floating around, open, in your half-completed project. But wait, you all know about the sleek, useful tool that is the Ezy-Pull Bodkin. It’s sturdy and long enough to make pulling the elastic through the channel simple! If you've never heard of it, this is your cue to grab one for yourself!
Lovely Fall weather and colorful leaves are with us for just a little longer, but that means we are quickly approaching some of the most important days of the year for small businesses: Black Friday and Small Business Saturday! Big discounts and free gifts await, so if anything above caught your eye, consider adding it to your wish list. As always, none of this is possible without you, so thank you for shopping small!
