A few weeks ago Jennifer from Jennifer Lauren handmade asked if I'd like to try out her latest pattern Gable - a 1950's inspired slash neck top.
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I'm really enjoying sewing with knit fabrics at the moment, and love slash neck tops so I immediately said yes. But you know I can't make anything plain, so here's my novelty version!
![bleeding heart sweater vintage 1940s loretta young repro modern novelty]()
My inspiration was taken from Loretta Young's bleeding heart sweater, c. early 1940s.
![bleeding heart sweater vintage 1940s loretta young repro modern]()
But back to Gable.
The pattern itself was a cinch to put together (it only had three pieces) and Jennifer's hints for sewing with stretch knits are really useful. I like her assumption that most people wouldn't be using sergers (although she does talk about them) as they're very uncommon down here in Australia.
I choose a 16 bust, graded out to 18 waist and 20 hip - and it fits perfect. Not too tight, not too loose - Jennifer indicates how much ease is in the pattern which is really helpful when deciding what size to choose.
For sleeves I picked View 3 (without the added long cuff), but ended shortening them to elbow length.
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I personally love PDF patterns - you can draw all over them without fear, and save money on postage etc by printing at home. Jennifer's are beautifully drawn, and I found them to be 100% accurate to the notches etc.
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The fabric was quality stretch cotton jersey (the good stuff) from Spotlight.
I literally whipped this up in a morning, and spent the same evening sewing the heart appliques to the front.
Would I use this pattern again? Most definitely!
I love quick and easy patterns that turn out exactly how they're shown on the pattern envelope!
![bleeding heart sweater vintage 1940s loretta young repro modern gable review]()
As for the appliques, they are made from acrylic felt and hand-stitched very carefully to the top. I used some gold thread for detail on the arrow as well.
My tips for sewing felt appliques to stretch fabrics:
I also made the skirt too! It's from a 1950's suit pattern, but I used stretch double knit (ponte de roma) to get a figure hugging fit.
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Long Live the Knits!
And thanks Jennifer for letting me try out your latest pattern, I love it!
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Outfit:
I'm really enjoying sewing with knit fabrics at the moment, and love slash neck tops so I immediately said yes. But you know I can't make anything plain, so here's my novelty version!
My inspiration was taken from Loretta Young's bleeding heart sweater, c. early 1940s.
But back to Gable.
The pattern itself was a cinch to put together (it only had three pieces) and Jennifer's hints for sewing with stretch knits are really useful. I like her assumption that most people wouldn't be using sergers (although she does talk about them) as they're very uncommon down here in Australia.
I choose a 16 bust, graded out to 18 waist and 20 hip - and it fits perfect. Not too tight, not too loose - Jennifer indicates how much ease is in the pattern which is really helpful when deciding what size to choose.
For sleeves I picked View 3 (without the added long cuff), but ended shortening them to elbow length.
I personally love PDF patterns - you can draw all over them without fear, and save money on postage etc by printing at home. Jennifer's are beautifully drawn, and I found them to be 100% accurate to the notches etc.
The fabric was quality stretch cotton jersey (the good stuff) from Spotlight.
I literally whipped this up in a morning, and spent the same evening sewing the heart appliques to the front.
Would I use this pattern again? Most definitely!
I love quick and easy patterns that turn out exactly how they're shown on the pattern envelope!
As for the appliques, they are made from acrylic felt and hand-stitched very carefully to the top. I used some gold thread for detail on the arrow as well.
 |
| Excuse the cat hair, it's a constant battle |
My tips for sewing felt appliques to stretch fabrics:
- pin them into place while your garment is on (I pinned mine on while I was wearing it)
- if you're using wool or viscose felt, make sure you prewash it or it might shrink
I also made the skirt too! It's from a 1950's suit pattern, but I used stretch double knit (ponte de roma) to get a figure hugging fit.
Long Live the Knits!
And thanks Jennifer for letting me try out your latest pattern, I love it!
Outfit:
- Shoes: Miss L Fire Rosita
- Bakelite: Various
- Hat: Viva Las Vegas 2016
- Glasses: Modcloth