I made this in sweatshirt material from Pound fabrics. I made a size M and used most of a two metre piece. Pound fabrics didn't have the matching rib so I cut self fabric which worked about fine. One is instructed to gather the cuffs in any case.
It is said that this can be made on an overlocker but there is also quite a lot of top stitching detail. I couldn't see how to achieve that on an overlooked seam, even on its widest 7mm setting so I worked on my sewing machine with a zigzag stitch, using the same thread and zigzag for the top stitching so as not to impede the stretch.
It's an involved make with three back and three front pieces plus extra strips from neck to wrist. There's an ingenious method of making the through pouch. It's vital to mark the corners exactly and to leave long ends on the top stitching here.
The garment does end up with five layers at the bottom of the pocket and, as the top of it is only secured at the corners, I fear it may sag.
This is a nice garment made with sweatshirt fabric from Pound Fabrics. I got a women's medium out of one meter of wide fabric and took about four hours from start to finish.
The seam allowance is 1/4" so intended for an overlocker which I used. I wonder about the instruction to top stitch some seams. Even on its widest stitch setting, the overlocker doesn't leave much to top stitch. I went round some seams with a double jersey needle.
The instructions were to use ribbing for the collar, cuffs and waistband. Pound fabrics had run out and it was impossible to find a match elsewhere. I cut self fabric which stretched enough at the collar and waist. On the cuffs, I resorted to gathering the bottom of the sleeves, over locking. and carefully unpicking the gathering stitch. That was fine and my hands still fit through.
I used a paper pattern. The printed pattern pieces contained an instruction to cut one sleeve. The instruction booklet was clearly illustrated but riddled with typos. I think this is an Australian company but I understand they speak English there. The booklet is not very long and if they had read aloud they would have probably noticed 'shouders' on the outside of the booklet and various other mistakes inside it.
I'm relieved to know, from the cover of the packet that the garment has an 'authentic sweatshirt vibe' and a 'laid back vibe'.
I would describe it as 'a relaxing, authentic sweatshirt'.
Perhaps they might take me on as a copy writer.
A fairly straightforward looking pattern. Not quite decided which fabric to use.
One of my favourite ever patterns and no. 1 for shirt patterns featuring a boxy shape, square shaped short sleeves that are actually elbow length. A very versatile pattern that suits a multitude of fabrics and looks. I have made it up in polyester mix and linen wovens as well as jersey versions to wear all through the spring and summer months.
This is my first/trial pair. I opted to make shorts as I wanted to test out the fit and not waste fabric on something that might not fit.
I used fabric from Ikea (£3 for 3metres!) it's 230gsm so not denim weight but not far off.
The pattern instructions are clear and I followed them for this pair, I anticipate that I might seam them differently next time - just for a more authentic jeans finish.
These are a bit tight around the hips so I will size up for my next pair. I wasn't expecting to love the fabric in shorts but am quite taken by it.
Like almost everyone who sews it seems, I love the True Bias Nikko top. However, I think the Monroe Turtleneck is a great companion pattern to the Nikko and if you like turtle/mock neck tops, it is worth having a go at both of these patterns. I love the Nikko as a base layer but find it too form fitting to wear as a top on its own. The Monroe has a looser fit and the dropped shoulder adds to the more relaxed/wearable feel. The neck band is quite tall and feels really nice worn up or folded over. The instructions are good and include steps to adjust the pattern if you are working with a firmer knit fabric. I will wear the Monroe both as a layer and on its own as a top so for me I can see this being a more versatile pattern than the Nikko. The only criticism would be that there are only three sizes included in the pattern to cover a wide range of body measurements. Also the sleeve piece is one size only which suprised me.
I’ve had some thick Sherpa fabric in my stash for a couple of years now and I finally decided to cut into it.
The pattern is great and the instructions are good, but it was very tricky using a heavier fabric. Som of the seams become very bulky and you have to trim them down as you go, but even then it was a struggle to get them through my machine.
The seam allowances are 3/8” but I think 5/8” might have been easier. The instructions are clear, although I did get a little confused attaching the sleeve lining to the shell fabric so had to google a video tutorial.
If you’re feeling brave then it really is a great pattern, but there were several points where I wanted to put it to the side and not finish. However that was completely down to the fabric not the pattern
Nice pattern
Nice pattern
Nice pattern
Nice pattern
I made the size 2, round neck, mini with a large hem of 3 inches.
Love wearing it.
Would defo recommend. If you make the dress with a heavy fabric. I would use a lighter fabric for the facings.
Firstly, this is good value for money as you get 3 patterns in this bundle. What the blurb does not tell you, and which you only discover one you’ve bought the pattern, is that this ONLY offers instructions for sewing with pre quilted fabric.
There are no instructions for quilting fabric, creating a reversible jacket or for lining the jacket should you wish to use a different fabric for the inside. This was super frustrating and I had to turn to other pattern instructions and YouTube for help.
The instructions are confusing in their layout and they are also unclear. They lack specific details which a beginner would need, such as RST (and not clear from photographs which use fabric which is the same colour on each side for the coat, for e.g.).
The pattern offers no alternatives (binding or French seams) and is short on explanation.
All in all it’s a good pattern in terms of design and content. The construction could be simpler (inserting the sleeves) and the instructions are frustrating. I would make this again but change the construction and use methods from different pattern instructions as I have done with this make.
It is NOT for beginners!
I'll start off with the positive, this is a well drafted and unusual pattern and I love the final result. The fact you can use woven fabric for the main body makes it very versatile. The sizing is good, I made the short version and choose the size nearest to my waist measurement. It hit just above my hip bone. There is a decent amount of ease, so I can layer it over winter clothes and do it up without a problem, but it's not so large it looks silly. My bust is a D cup (both dressmakers and bra size) which put me in a bigger size, but there is plenty of room in the cardigan due to the style. If you are making a thin cardy to layer over a summer/party dress I would size down.
I used a faux fur knit for the body, waistband and cuffs ( it only had 35% stretch, not the 50% required by the pattern, but it worked fine) and stretch velvet (15% stretch) for the collar and front bands. The fur fabric was as always, a bit of nightmare to sew - fluff everywhere and the narrow seam allowance and the difficulty of finding the edge of the fabric, in amongst all the fluff, wasn't ideal, but worth it
I will definitely make this again, I already have some lovely wool/cotton rib knit lined up. If I make another in a heavier fabric I will consider adding a zip in the front, to make it into bomber jacket/cardigan hybrid.
So to the negatives, the instructions, ugh! I didn't love the instruction style, the drawings weren't great but overall they were passable. However the main problem with the instructions is the way the short ends of the collar (round neck version) and front bands are finished, it is horrible ( I would go as far as to say just plain wrong), it would look awful. If you just turn over the raw ends to the wrong side of the cardigan and stitch as instructed, then every time the cardigan falls open you will see the raw edges, which is not going to look good. They don't even tell you to finish the ends, if the knit you have chosen, frays (most don't but cheaper ones often get bobbly and 'stringy' if the edges are left raw) then it will look even worse.
To rectify this, just before attaching the collar and bands to the main body, you sew the short sides of the collar and bottom of the front bands,( folded wrong sides together) and then clip corner and turn them out to the right side, before attaching them. You will need to match the bottom of the cardigan waistband to the bottom of the front band (i.e. don't leave the 2.5cm overhang shown in the instructions) and similarly with the front bands and the collar. This way both sides of the bands will look neat.
This is a fairly simple pattern and therefore should be fairly beginner friendly, however the narrow seam allowance means that precision is required and this is complicated by the fact that there is gathering involved, plus buttonholes (more tricky on a knit - though you could use poppers) and the less than idea instructions. If you're completely new to knits and/or sewing, I wouldn't start with this pattern, try one of Tilly and the Buttons knit patterns (or even better, the Stretch book) they have superb instructions.
I made the dress from red satin polyester (very cheap at my local Boyes) with the bra cups made from some left over scraps of red velvet and voile pleated over the top.
I found the pattern easy to follow. Didn't make any adjustments, didn't even make a toile.
I made it to wear at a fancy restaurant on our honeymoon and it was perfect for that!
I'd love to make it again, but I'd probably want it to be a little less "raunchy" for every day use!! I'd make it longer, use some fabric with a bit of give in it or possibly lose the sleeves (it felt quite fitted and didn't feel I had full movement of my arms!). I'd also add pockets.
Overall, a really great pattern and quite unusual design.
