Sol Hoodie by Jamie Christina

Another finished knit project. It seems I have sewn only knit stuff the last couple of weeks. This is the Sol Hoodie pattern by Jamie Christina. I got it for my birthday last year and finally had a chance to print it out and make it. It is always so warm here in New Mexico and the winter is quite short, that I didn't feel like making something with long sleeves in the summer. But finally! 

This is the third pattern I made from Jamie Christina and so far I love them all. No alterations. They fit right away. My first pattern was the Abbey Coat. I will share the third project soon.

The fabric is an interlock knit from Fabric.com. The ribbon is by Anna Maria Horner.

I love the pink contrast to the red. In the instructions it says to add the ribbon before inserting the zipper. But that would mean part of the ribbon would be gone in the seam allowance. With this pretty (and expensive) ribbon I didn't want that. I added the ribbon after inserting the zipper. I just topstitched it on the hood and the front. But before adding the hood to the neckline.

I lined the hood with black flannel that I snapped up from my sisters stash :) Lining is optional.

 Here is an inside out view. I didn't serge the seam allowances. Since this knit doesn't fray I got a bit lazy finishing the seams.

 

Here is a close up of the finishing of the seam where the hood is attached. I had a little bit trouble with this one since the fabric is quite thick. I ended up using rayon seam binding to finish it. Doesn't look all that pretty. 

Pattern Description:
A zip up hoodie sewing pattern with features such as: cuffs with thumb openings, and fabric bands outlining the zipper and hood.

Pattern Sizing:
XS - XXL
I made a size XS

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Very easy to follow. Lots of pictures and helpful tips for sewing with knit fabrics.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
The only thing I didn't like is that according to the directions parts of the ribbon would be in the seam allowance of the zipper. I changed that by sewing the ribbon on after inserting the zipper.

Fabric Used:
Cotton Interlock from Fabric.com

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
As mentioned above, I topstitched the ribbon in place after inserting the zipper. That way the whole ribbon shows.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I highly recommend this pattern, if wearing a hoodie is your style that is. Very well drafted easy pattern.

Conclusion:
I love my hoodie and I will sew it again. Maybe a version without the zipper, as sweater.

Back from my vacation

As the title of this post says, I am back from my Christmas vacation. I spent two weeks on Bainbridge Island, WA, at my older sisters house. My two younger sisters from Germany came visiting too. It was a lot of fun. And since my older sister sews too I got a lot of inspiration for upcoming sewing projects.

My sewing related Christmas presents

Sewing pattern for Iris hoodie

Draping: The complete guide, Lark by Jamie Christina, Hawthorn by Colette Patterns

They do have a little sewing shop on the island which happened to have a sale while I was there. I couldn't help but to buy some fabric.

The pink fabric is a poly chiffon with sequins that I got from my sisters stash. The black lace with sequins is from the fabric store.

 

From left to right:

Chambray by Robert Kaufman

Essex Yarn Dyed Linen by Robert Kaufman

The most amazingly soft Italian cotton from the fabric store!

Black stretch corduroy from my sisters stash

Anna Maria Horner:

Dowry Flourish Cherry

Postage Due Kalediescope

Field Study Linen Parenthetical Berry

 Anna Maria Horner Field Study Ghost Wing

Horse Print on cotton from Spoonflower

Sarah Jane's Children at play by Michael Miller

I also got two Anna Maria Horner Fat Quarter bundles. One of them is already a quilt top, and will be blogged about later. And a fantastic interlock knit in gray (also from the little fabric store) which is already sewn up into the Lark pattern. I just have to add the closures and it will be ready for pictures and blogging.

Now I really have to start some stash bustin'!

Abbey Coat

Here is my take on the Abbey Coat by Jamie Christina Patterns.

I made version A. The fabric is a wool blend from fabric.com. It was on sale and I initially bought it to make a muslin to check the fit. I was a little shocked about the intensity of the color when it first arrived, but it turned out to look awesome once it was finished. I made a size 8 and the fit is perfect. I can easily wear a sweater underneath with enough room to move. The only thing I changed was the length of the sleeves. Who the hell needs 3/4 sleeves on a winter coat??????

The buttons are from JoAnn Fabric.

By the way, I am also wearing my Thurlow Trousers. The fabric is from JoAnn Fabrics. A pinstripe suiting fabric with a very soft touch and wonderful drape.

I lined the coat with grey Ambiance Bemberg. I didn't interface the flounce. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow, with lots of pictures. It involved quite a bit of sewing by hand, but the outcome is totally worth it.