Christine Sews

Simplicity pattern 5284, view D is a child’s jacket.  I decided to recycle a fleece shawl into a new jacket for my daughter.  She is allergic to wool.  And fleece is lightweight, warm and washable.

I also chose this particular shawl because I had wanted to recycle it for the Vogue cardigan sweater, V2949, that I made recently.  But it was too short by about four inches.  And I knew piecing it would ruin the drape of the design.  So now we both have charcoal grey fleece (offsite link) winter frocks.

The pattern envelope shows a little boy wearing a fleece with a sports motif.  But by using a more somber color, I have a completely different look to the jacket.  I can convince my child to wear it because of the Hello Kitty applique that I added.

Fleece is very forgiving, since it doesn’t ravel.  But it can be difficult to topstitch, due to being so thick.  I topstiched it about a half inch from the edge, which is further than I would typically use as the spacing.

I cut out two pockets, instead of one.  And attached them closer to the hemline, rather than at chest level.  And I did not turn them under around three sides, just trimmed them off with pinking shears to make them look nice, and lie flat.

During the Spring, I made view C of this pattern into a reversible jumper .  And closer to summer, I made the jumper into the lightweight butterfly and ballet print dresses.  It has proven to be a very versatile style.

The pattern calls for four one half inch buttons.  And provides a pattern piece with markings.  But I used grossgrain ribbon to add color and femininity.

Being a person who sews, but having no skill whatsoever at knitting limits the type of sweaters that I can create.  But I still really like sweaters.  I found this Vogue Pattern, V2949, a cardigan sweater style to sew.

I tried to photograph the entire coat.  But once again, I photographed myself, using a mirror to aim.  But you get the idea.

The design is a very loose modern  fit and looks very casual sewn with this waffle knit.  The knit is the same one I used for a previous Today’s Fit pattern, v8151, and was the only knit I had in my fabric stash.  I am going to make it again in a charcoal color fleece.  I tried to find sweater knit.  But what I found was either very cheap and ugly looking, or very expensive.  So fleece it will be.

The pattern pieces are very odd shapes.  And I kept them on the pattern paper until I was ready to put them together to help prevent confusion.  I still managed somehow to sew one front sleeve piece to one front piece so that the seam would show and had to take it off and do it again.  The instructions were very clear, much more clear than typical pattern instructions.  And the pattern paper was nicer than usual, a white paper that was easier to see through and refold.

I used a smaller pattern size than I did for the shirt v8151 , since it came out a bit large.  And this worked out to fit perfectly at the shoulders and upper chest.  As is my custom, I had presumed myself to be larger than I actually am.  Even a tape measure is unable to convince me.

Coincidentally, Australian Stitches aka Sewing with Stitches, has an article about this cardigan pattern, v2949, and includes really beautiful photos of it done up with a hand applied blanket stitch around the collar and hemline.  If I were using a different fabric, and had the time, I would try it.  I cannot find the web site address for Sewing with Stitches, so if anyone has it please do share.

I made view B of the cardigan, which is the shorter style, and finished the collar and hem with a serged edge.  It makes for a very fluid finish.  It closes nicely with a brooch.  But due to the very casual fabric I have used, looks silly.  It came out to look nicer than a hoodie.  I really wish I could wear a wool jersey.  But it is just too itchy for me.

I am very pleased with my first experience with a Vogue Pattern.  I purchased a few Today’s Fit by Sandra Betzina patterns last week.  And over the weekend and this morning, was able to complete the top V8151, view B.

View B is a basic tee shirt /shell pattern.  My measurements fall between two sizes.  I was torn between using the larger size, or the smaller because it is a knit.  I decided on the larger size as the master - for shoulders and upper chest dimensions, but attempted to draw and cut between the  two sizes.

As mentioned many times during the alteration process description, I am 5′4″.  I pretty much always have to shorten the pattern at the waist.  But I do not always need to shorten the sleeve cap and upper chest.  As it turns out, I should have this time.  And I could have used the smaller size altogether.

Had this been a Butterick pattern, I suspect the larger size would have been the best choice.  I have used Butterick patterns for years, and am more familiar with the fit model (also pattern block) and how it varies from my body.

Hands down, the best thing about this pattern is the dart.  I didn’t have to add a dart, which is something I end up doing with knit patterns quite a lot.  A flat front without dart is just not flattering on me.

The other thing that really stands out about the pattern for me is that the alteration instructions are right there in the pattern, with diagrams.  I don’t usually see alteration instructions in the patterns I purchase.  And I’m sure I’ve never seen them with diagrams.  That’s part of the reason why I have so many sewing books.

I also made this pattern smaller in the upper arms, and at the high waist.  I am definitely going to make it again, with higher quality fabric.  And with a shorter sleeve cap and upper chest adjustment.

Next up, attaching a tee-shirt style neck band.  And another Vogue Pattern.  Which one will depend on what fabric I have available in my fabric stash.

Now I have all this fabric from All About Fabric and still some from Fabric.com and realize that I have a lot of bag patterns but only two for my daughter and two for myself.  I have plenty of baby patterns that she has outgrown.  And plenty of maternity patterns, and am definitely not in need of those.

It’s ridiculous that I have not updated my own wardrobe pattern stash since 2004.

So, I have a new wish list of sewing patterns to buy and have found the following sales.

Joann’s :

• When:  October 9th-12th
• Simplicity Patterns for 99 cents

Hancock Fabrics :

• When:  October 8th-12th
• Butterick Patterns 99 cents
• Simplicity Patterns 5/5 dollars
• McCall’s Patterns 99 cents

The dates and information listed is correct according to the flyers for my area.  Please verify the dates and details for your location.  See shopping tips at the bottom of McCall’s Pattern Sale .