Noctua: a romantic, versatile digital PDF sewing pattern in XS-6
(I elaborate on everything further down below!)
What is sewing pattern Noctua?
-> A romantic sewing pattern for home sewing based on my Somnia Romantica designs :D
-> Bodice made of 12 parts, with seams inspired by late Victorian fashion
-> 3 necklines, 6 sleeve styles, 2 skirt styles
-> Pattern lines to make it into a dress, croptop, blouse, waistcoat or overdress
-> Optional Expansion pack for more variations
With this pattern, you get:
-> a digital PDF file with the pattern in sizes XS-6X
-> Printable in A4, letter size and A0 (also projector option if stretch goal is reached!)
-> Comes with elaborate illustrated sewing instructions
-> Comes with online instructional video
Rewards:
-> The pattern, on itself or combined with expansion set
-> Material packs with lovely sewing materials to make these patterns
-> A printable dress up-doll with all variations of the pattern :D
-> A few spots for a custom fit pattern (falling in the XS-6X range)
-> A personal live stream/meeting with me for all your questions and so on :D
-> Cute little thank you reward clipart for the smallest amount moral backers!
-> Super cool (pattern-) ideas for stretch goals!
So, who am I and how did I develop this pattern ^-^
I am Marjolein Turin, designer of Somnia Romantica.
For the past 25 years I have been designing, making and selling designing (dark-) romantic fashion, from my home in The Netherlands. A big part of this is my indie fashion label Somnia Romantica. After starting to offer my piece online, I soon I got more demand than I could ever make, but I never felt the need to scale up or outsource production.
Somnia Romantica is meant as slow fashion, made with love and made out of beautiful materials, with attention for detail. Then one day came the realization: If I make sewing patterns, I pass this concept on to others!
Then other people can make their own signature creative interpretations, fit to their measurements and adjusted to their own preferences :D
I am self taught, never followed any official methods and often work in a free and intuitive way. In 2023 started the long journey to digitalize my handdrawn patterns. In 2025 Somnia Sewing Guild was born, launching my first 6 patterns for home sewing. (below picture with the patterns I launched in 2025)
From the beginning of 2026 I dove further into digital pattern making, grading and so on. I also developed this Noctua pattern project which conveys many of my signature design elements :D Victorian seams on the bodice, high necklines, flowy skirts and sleeves. The combination of organic and mathematical, flowy and structural.
I named the pattern Noctua, which is a Latin name for an owl, as this matches the dark romantic, flowy mood of the design.
