Ella's Blog Post for the Sew Me Sunshine Blogger's Network
Autumn's on its way and it's time to change up our me-made wardrobes. Luckily there is lots of inspiration throughout the sewing community for cosy cardigans (thanks to the #cosycardichallenge) to layer up over our lovely bright summer dresses.
When Harriet launched Sew Me Sunshine I excitedly headed first for the cotton florals (old habits die hard) but in a bid to build my wardrobe and my jersey sewing confidence I decided on some stripy Ponte Roma and Twinkle Rose French Terry by Atelier Brunette which I had long coveted! I knew at once that the stripes would be perfect for a Tilly and the Buttons Coco top and that gave me an idea... I could use the rose terry for another Coco - the Coco jacket, recently launched as a PDF pattern by Sew Over It.
The Coco cropped jacket, has a round neck with princess seams and is actually designed for a wool or jacquard but I thought I could take a risk and use a medium weight knit. I was conscious I was cutting into the most delightful fabric and would have been devastated if I ruined it! The other risk I took was only buying a metre but it's a nice width and I had already decided to make it more cropped if necessary!
I was lucky that with a bit of pattern Tetris and slightly shortened sleeves, I cut it on the grainline successfully from the metre. The several pieces sewed up well and then I was debating whether to line it. The wrong side of the fabric is so soft and cosy, I decided to leave it unlined. As a result, I needed a different way to finish the seams. I used the scraps to create a collar by measuring the collar and cutting a rectangle a couple of inches wide and folding/pressing it in half and sewing it with a small seam allowance. I also made cuffs for the sleeves.
The front opening was a little drapy, which would have been fine for a waterfall design but didn't suit the boxy shape here. I opted for a Liberty tana lawn bias binding from my stash, which I doubled over to trim and then added a few hooks and eyes too.
I was delighted by the way it turned out - although I may size down to 12 next time. I will definitely be making this pattern again, using some Ponte roma or the more formal version. I would also love to make another top from the rose French terry, maybe a Coco top to go with my Coco jacket! I think I'm well on my way to making a cosy autumn me made wardrobe!
You can follow my sewing adventures on Instagram
@sewistella
You can find out more about the #cosycardichallenge on Instagram via
@AmandaTurner1977,
@shesewsvintage or
@sodburysewing If you fancy adding some sewing themed flair to your me made outfits then you can find my pins
here If you fancy making yourself your very own knit fabric SOI coco jacket then have a look at all of these beautiful
knit fabrics (including some gorgeous French Terry!)
You are very talented. Congratulations