Hi, guys! Hope you all had a great weekend!
Do you guys struggle to wear your handmades? How easy or important is it for you to make things that work for your Monday-to-Friday life? Personally, I’ve found recently that the clothes that are appropriate for my verrrrry casual (and messy!) jobs make me feel a bit like a slob. I feel happy and confident in my fun blazers or knitted sweaters, but there’s just no point wearing them to strip furniture or glue foam! But I’ve been finding lately that my buttondowns and raglan pullovers get lots of wear in the workshop. In fact, my hood-less Undercover Hoods get worn so much, especially the striped one, that I sometimes get worried that my boss thinks I only own like two or three garments! So adding a easy-wearing tops to my wardrobe felt like a good idea.
So, when I saw the newest Papercut Patterns collection, I immediately ordered the Bowline Sweater. It seemed like just the thing to punch up my casual wardrobe, and I also just really wanted to know how it was constructed! Not gonna lie- when I opened up the pattern and saw what the front pattern piece looked like, my mind was kinda blown. I wasn’t really sure how it would come together, but I just trusted the instructions and crossed my fingers that it would come out alright in the end! It was super fun to make because of this… it felt a bit like an experiment!
I’d been wanting to make a garment with this fabric from my shop for a while. I was catching up on my blogroll last weekend when I saw Rachel’s version of the pattern, then Fiona’s, and I immediately started working on my own! I’m so glad I did because I really love this pattern and fabric combo. The fabric is a lightweight French terry, 66% rayon/27% cotton/7% nylon. The rayon content makes it super drapey, as you can see, which is really nice for this design. I wouldn’t recommend using something terribly thick or heavy for this as you have quite a few layers going on when you sew up the pleat/dart combo and it could get lumpy.
I’m really happy with the final product! I loooove this color and have been looking forward to wearing this fabric, and I also really like that this looks a bit nicer than a plain sweatshirt. It’s an easy way to dress up a bit more without sacrificing comfort, mobility, or time getting ready in the morning! I’d like to try a striped version one day, too, because the striped sample on the Papercut website just looks so cool! And maybe then I won’t have to wear my striped sweatshirt every third day, heeheehee! 🙂 Now, what are you guys sewing right now??
Ginger Makes... 
Now my brain wants to see how it works! This colour looks fab on you. I love it!
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It’s really wacky! I’ll send you a pic… if I ever get it unpacked! 🙂
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I wear the same memades all the time, as most of my pants are MM. And I do have my favorites, which end up in heavy rotation.
That sweater is fine, yours turned out brilliantly, but the mustard color is superfine. I have a need for a Jasper pullover in that shade of mustard. And hey, look, I can buy it right online!
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Wow, it’s quite a feat to have your handmade pants be such workhorses! Well done!
I’d love to see this fabric as a Jasper pullover! That’s another pattern that just looks super fun to sew!
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Love it! That color is great and the drape really is perfect for that pleat/dart/whatever you call it. I am also baffled by the pattern piece- I have it sitting on my cutting table but keep chickening out/changing my mind about which fabric to use!
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Ooh! I’m excited to see your take on this! It’s a really fun challenge! Do it! 🙂
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So love this colour on you and everyone! Looks super soft and comfy too x
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Thank you, Marilla! It really is a great basic color- it goes with so many others!
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This looks great! This is the first version of this pattern I really like – and I think you’re right, it’s because it’s the perfect amount of drape. This makes me reconsider trying it out….
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Why, thank you! It really does change the way the pattern looks to use something that’s almost slinky.
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Fascinating! What great fabric. I can’t even IMAGINE what that pattern piece looks like.
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It’s really wacky! It’s a bit like the patterns you see in the Drape Drape books… I can’t figure out how people manage to come up with them!
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I love this top on you, the colour is just perfect! I have to admit I’m loving all the versions I’m seeing and am really intrigued as to how it’s constructed… Really trying to actually restrain myself from buying it though as it aint gonna be sewn up anytime soon! Glad life is being good to you, even if you’re wearing the same things more often than not x
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Crossing my fingers that you find some time to sew (or do whatever else you feel like doing)! You’re one busy mama!
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You sewed for yourself! How awesome! It’s a great top.
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It felt so great!!! Selfish sewing is kinda the best. 😀
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It looks so great…I’d wear that all the time. I’m thinking about a slouchy summery Hey June Lane Raglan for my leftover fabric from my SIL’s sweater…maybe with elbow sleeves instead of full ones. Might have to order a little bit more yardage!
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Ooh, that sounds really comfy and nice! I like the idea of shorter sleeves- that’s perfect for warmer weather!
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This looks great! I was just thinking about this pattern the other day, trying to imagine that pattern piece… haha the daydreams of a sewer… 😉
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Isn’t it strange the things you find yourself thinking about? Sometimes I’ll just be off on a little dream about how a fly is constructed or some other silliness!
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Is it scary that I knew that was French terry? And I just started working with the stuff a year ago?! I want to get this pattern but I’m worried that it might hang awkwardly with a projected bust. Mind you, your version has done nothing to deter me from loving the line of this sweater 🙂
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You’ve got an eagle eye! Sadly I can’t do much to help you visualize what this would look like on someone that’s actually been through puberty… I’m still waiting for it to hit me! C’mon, universe, send me some boobs!
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That pattern looks amazing! I have also wondered what the front piece looks like. Great colour it looks amazing on you!
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Thank you, Nathalie! 🙂
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Your top looks so nice but also very wearable and comfortable. I am currently trying to decide what I want to sew next.
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Sometimes it’s so hard to decide! So many things to sew, so little time!
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Oh I really really like it! I loove mustard but always feel like it doesn’t do me any favours. This makes me want to make a mustard top, though!
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This is a bit of a cooler mustard which is easier for me than a warmer one. It’s a tricky color, for sure!
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I envy your mustard-wearing abilities! This pattern looks perfect in a solid.
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It’s funny- I was never able to wear it before (I’ve always had a job where I worked outdoors, and when I get even a hint of sun, I turn really yellow), but now that I’m a pale indoor mole lady, it seems to work for me.
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Ha, being a mole lady has its benefits!
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I love how your Bowline turned out! I just made one, too, but I’m wondering if I messed up the burrito part somehow because the pleat/drape sort of falls down and the dart is visible. Yours (and everyone else’s I’ve seen) seems to sit up nice and high. It’s not going to stop me from wearing it, though, since it’s such a fun sweatshirt!
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I knew it was the french terry from your shop right when I saw your picture. It’s awesome! I still have that sample 😍
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Such an interesting top. The mustard color is one of my faves.
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That looks like an interesting pattern with the drape and what looks like a cowl? Very nice!
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This looks awesome Sonja! I love that mustardy colour. What if you made yourself some denim overalls or a big jumpsuit to pop over your clothes, or to pop on when you’re in the shop. That way you could wear your nicer clothes to and from work. Would that work? Ooo or you could make that cool apron you recently made in a heavy denim or duck cotton. That would be awesome!
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Really, really cute! You wear the color well and I love the neckline!! Might have to whip one up myself:)
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love how this top looks on you! plus the color is awesome.. there is a similar pattern in one of the burda magazines, from couple of years ago, i might give it a go
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The mustard is such a pretty colour on you. I am looking forward to your next striped version as well as the origami-style draping is very cool.
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I loved this pattern as soon as I saw it. I’m going to look out for a drapey sweatshirting because yours looks great!
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Adorable! Love Love the color and comfy factor! I really need to order some fabric from you- I have been planning on it for ages!
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Gorgeous colour on you! I felt exactly the same about making this one, just trust the instructions and cross my fingers because it didn’t seem to make sense until I did it! It’s a great top for everyday wearing without feeling scruffy though, I want more!
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Love the draping on this! Great idea to sew it in a stripe–I hope you do.
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I love the neckline and interesting drape on this top! Just found out you have an online fabric shop – so awesome!
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Hmmm….I wonder if that pattern would look as good on me as it does on you. You look great and comfortable at the same time. What a great pattern/fabric combination. I’ve got some boobs so I’ll have to think about it. For now, I’m just working on a Kimono so that I can practice french seams.
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