Vintage Print Linden Sweatshirt

This Linden Sweatshirt is positively autumnal, not exactly the sort of thing you'd expect to see when I'm pretty sure the snow is about to melt. I bought this fabric months ago and I've been meaning to make a Linden with it, but I am easily distracted by pattern testing, and instagram sew alongs. Then my printer got jammed big time, started to crack apart when I tried to fix it, and smashed into a million pieces when I threw it off the roof of a three story rowhouse. Okay, that's not actually how it happened, but it's mildly therapeutic to imagine that it is.

You may be thinking that this print in highly uncharacteristic of me. I've made a mental rule that I will post one not blue thing between each blue thing I make... or at least one not blue thing for each blue thing that I make... or one printed not blue thing for each solid blue thing I make. Let's be real, that's probably not going to happen cause I've gotta wear this stuff, and I like blue.

I really love the underlying neutral palette of this print. It has tiny flecks of orange, brown, and black on a cream background. I'm not a huge fan of orange clothing, but in these small amounts I love it for the way it compliments all the blue I normally wear. I wanted the finished top to be more dressed up than a true sweatshirt, but I also didn't want to be overwhelmed by the print. My solution was to tone down the print with charcoal gray arms and accents.  I ordered a deliciously cozy charcoal gray sweatshirt fleece, but it was not nearly charcoal enough to suit my grand vision. The vintage knit is thinner than a sweatshirt fleece so I also ordered a few yards of charcoal gray jersey knit thinking I would line the vintage knit with it, to even out the thicknesses. The jersey was just the exact right color, but of course the wrong thickness. In the end, my heart was firmly set on having a new top by lunchtime, so I doubled everything. Double jersey for the arms, jersey and vintage together for the body. Its not a terrible solution, I like that it maintains sweater feel of the shirt, but the proof will be in the first laundry cycle.

PATTERN: The Linden Sweatshirt by Grainline Studio is a basic raglan pattern that can be made with banded long sleeves and waist for a sweatshirt look, or as a short sleeve t-shirt without waist band. To be honest, I didn't even look at the instructions. I've made enough raglan t-shirts that I know how to put one together. Based on the #lindensweatshirt pool, I suspect there is top stitching involved, I don't think this looses anything without it, particularly in the not so sporty sweater knit. I'll read the instruction next time, promise.

FABRIC:The 60's sweater knit print is from After Glow. The charcoal gray jersey is from Raspberry Creek Fabric. As mentioned above, I doubled the fabric at the body and arms to replicate the sweatshirt thickness.

FIT/SIZE: In true SweetKM fashion I cut all the sizes. Size 6 at the bust, size 8 at the waist, size 10 at the hip. I like the 6 to 8 fit, and would probably dispense with the 10 next time. I would also take 1" out of each arm length, and (if I'm going for a more cropped fit, which I was this time and did not achieve) 2" out of the length.

***
Pertinent Info:
Pattern: Linden Sweatshirt by Grainline Studio
Printed Fabric: Vintage Sweater Knit from After Glow
Solid Fabric: Charcoal Lycra Knit from Raspberry Creek Fabrics

KCW: Unexpected T-Shirt Dress

This little dress came out of nowhere. The happy accident of a well stocked fabric closet, a pattern that I already own, and procrastinating the things on my to-do list. This is the very same vintage knit that I've had slated for O+S leggings, and some hot pink knit from Joann. Its the Figgy's Tee Time for Two, which I know is out of print, but is one of my favorite patterns. This is the 4T/5T t-shirt with a few modifications. I added 1 1/2" to the bottom edge of the t-shirt pattern piece, then added a 4" strip to the bottom of that. From the resulting bottom corner, I added 1 1/2" of  width, then connected that point to the under arm corner. Then made the pattern as directed.

As I was pinning the pieces together, I was thinking something along the lines of "Yikes, this pink is bright...maybe I should use blue...maybe I should go buy some heather grey...maybe I should stop thinking and just sew!?!" I stuck to my guns and saw it through, just to have something in my KCW finished pile. 

Sewn, photographed, worn. Just like that. Everything should be so easy. 

Oliver + S Playtime Dress

This fabric is from the oldest corner of my stash, purchased on Ebay 13-ish years ago, back when I had the time to sift through countless pages for vintage fabric listings, and the inclination to stay up all night sewing skirts to wear the next day. Every time we've moved, it's made the cut, thoughtfully folded and tucked into a new, heavily edited, box of fabric. It took a lot for me to cut into what's left of such a cherished print. As much as I love this fabric, it seems like I should love the dress more. I really like it, but I don't love it.  L seems to be swimming in print. A few alterations are in order. 

This is the Oliver + S Playtime Dress, made for KCW, but this fabric isn't going anywhere near play time. It will be worn on ladylike occasions when, even a 4 year old, sits with hands placed daintily in the lap.

I really like the pattern, and love that it is written for knit or woven fabric. It has some great on-seam pockets and includes a leggings pattern. I used my favorite cast off oxford shirt material for the pockets and facings. There are so many possibilities, which is the main reason I  bought the pattern. I have plans for a solid knit version, and a knit print, both made of far less precious fabrics that I can stand to see drug around the playground.

Cut the length to tunic? Shorten the sleeves to 3/4? I don't think I can bring myself to "waste" any of the length by cutting it off (its just pinned here). I think shortening the sleeves will be enough. 

Shorts That Look Like A Skirt

How much do I love these shorts? A lot! How much does L love these shorts? Just as much (mainly because they look like a skirt).  I followed the Very Homemade tutorial, but used elastic in a casing rather than shirring thread. I also used a light weight, splatter painted print from the pile of vintage knits my MIL dug up for me.

I feel like I hit the jackpot. Free fabric and shorts she will wear. The width is so oversized I used a straight stitch on the hem and waistband. The whole thing, including drafting the pattern, took less than two hours. Lazy seamstress that I am, the level of complication figures heavily into my perception of the finished product. 

They are just perfect, (perfect I tell you!) for this little dolman sweater I've been working on. This is just  a sneak peak, I am writing up the pattern for vacation knitting.

Vintage Raglan

Got some great vintage knit prints from my mother in law after my recent stretch of t-shirt sewing. Love this tonal red, white and blue patchwork. I had so little of the navy left from J's shirt that I had to piece the collar.

Pattern: Figgy's Tee Time for Two, Size 4/5
Fabric: Vintage Knit and Scarps

Clearly, I love this pattern. I have a few more vintage prints, and I am going to try very hard NOT to make more t-shirts.