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Monday, April 16, 2018

KNITTING & SEWING / Over-sized pullover & so many Stratas

It's been quiet in this space for far too long — it's not that I haven't been knitting, I have! I've even finished a few projects which I've been meaning to share. I've been sewing as well — it's something that doesn't aggravate my shoulder so it's been a bit of a creative life raft during my rest and recovery away from knitting.

There was enough light on Friday to take a few shots of some of my finished projects! The first is an over-sized super bulky pullover that I was itching to create. I've been wearing it every day since I bound off, this sweater is like a big hug! — just ignore how shabby it looks, it hasn't had a bath yet!!





STRATA TOP #1 / wearable muslin in stretch


I've also been sewing. I finally got around to making the Strata top. It's been on my make list since Cate and I picked up our issues of Taproot / Make : Vol 1 in Seattle during VK Live last fall. The pattern is by the talented Meg Mcelwee of Sew Liberated and as far as I know this pattern can only be found within the magazine. 

The pattern calls for woven fabric but since I don't typically wear many woven tops I chose to make a few out of knit fabric first. This is my wearable muslin, I call it my date-night Strata since I never wear black (I feel too fancy in it, lol) — I finished this one just in time for date night! I made the size S and my only mod was to the neck binding since I was using stretch instead of woven.






STRATA TOP #2 / stretch


For my second Strata I decided to go down in size to the XS. I used the same neck band mod as my muslin, added a patch pocket, and added an additional 1.5" of length to the body so that I could wear it with my regular rise jeans, not just high waisted pants. The fabric is a slub jersey that I picked up from Dressew. I'm pretty smitten with this version, the fit is perfect, it's exactly what I was hoping for, this is definitely my new favorite white tee shirt!






STRATA TOP #3 / wearable muslin in woven


I [accidentally] splurged on some beautiful rayon from Dry Goods Design during a much needed solo adventure I took a few weeks ago. I also stocked up on muslin (old bed sheets) from the thrift store and made this woven muslin from a cool old vintage fitted sheet I found!

I used my pattern pieces from the white knit Strata top above — XS with an extra 1.5" of length. I also added mock sleeve cuffs and a patch pocket (I add patch pockets to everything — they make me feel less fancy). 
  



Have you finished any projects lately? Anything you're loving so much you're living in it?? ...also don't forget to check back later this week for a special spring sale announcement!





9 comments:

  1. I love that your definition of "not fancy" also seems to include a necklace everyday. For me, adding a necklace is what makes an otherwise mundane outfit "fancy". Wearing a faded t-shirt and jeans to work, but you know an important visitor is coming through? Add a necklace, then I'll be fancy! I've been trying to convince myself that necklaces don't have to be fancy, in the hopes that I might wear some of my necklaces more often, but this hasn't happened yet...

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    1. Oh my gosh this is too funny — because for years I didn't wear necklaces (or jewelry) because it made me feel far too fancy! LOL. It sounds like we are two birds of a feather! You should find yourself a "casual" necklace and see how it makes you feel!! You might start looking at your other jewelry differently!

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  2. I love that oversized pullover and those cushing looking big knit stitches. A hug indeed!

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  3. oops, that should have read, "those squishy-looking" ...

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  4. This is the exact sweater that I have been hoarding some super bulky to make! Is the pattern available yet? Cheers! Carole.

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    1. Hi Carole! So sorry for the delayed response. The pattern isn't yet available but will be coming soon. I will absolutely announce on the blog when it's published.

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  5. Thanks for posting this! I was thinking the strata wasn't going to be long enough for me (I wear reg. rise pants and have a long torso). It was super helpful to see what it looks like with an extra little bit of length!

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  6. I tried to help my friend with this pattern and we had so much trouble with the sleeves! How did you managed to do it? Do you have a tuto or do you know if one exists? Because I can't find any!
    I love how it turned out, by the way!

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    1. I'm so sorry you had trouble with the sleeves! I'm always happy to help, for pattern support drop me a line at janerichmonddesigns@gmail.com - my email is also at the bottom of every pattern!

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