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Monday, September 3, 2012

Sewing Workshop - West End Hoodie

I made this weeks ago and am just now blogging it. I liked the Sewing Workshop West End Hoodie when it came out. I had planned to make some changes to it, like swapping out the short, wide sleeve for a long sleeve.

My friend Heather beat me to it and made it up in a red knit. Hers was so cute that I rushed mine to the top of the queue. Heather lengthened and narrowed the sleeve, though she pieced hers with an above elbow seam, having cut it as long as possible on grain. She also pointed out that the short hem on the center front piece was a raw edge. It's the only raw edge in the entire hoodie, which seemed a little unusual.

Thanks to Heather's advice, I drafted a little fold-down hem for the front piece to eliminate the raw edge. I lengthened, and narrowed, the sleeve and omitted the sleeve band. I made the sleeve longer so I could fold back the cuff. As shown in the following photo, I cut it on the lengthwise grain (which also had stretch), so I didn't have to put a seam in the sleeve, but that would also work. I made a size large.

I also removed a bit of the flare at the hip by straightening out the back side seam, as you can see in the following photo.

I used a really wonderful fabric that I purchased from FabricMart a year or so ago, and shown in the following picture. It is a reversible double knit, poly cotton, I think. It's black on one side and coral on the other, and very soft. I finished the seams by hand, flat felling them. Technically, this hoodie could be reversible, except for the zipper.

The zipper is an 18" plastic zipper from Zipperstop.

This is a very comfortable, easy to wear hoodie. I like the shaping of the side seams, which reminds me of the Sewing Workshop Liberty top, another favorite. However, I'm not sure how flattering it is on me, with the Swing back, though I do like how it nips in a bit at the waist. Time will tell. If I do make it again, I plan to make the sleeve a tad wider at the wrist.



35 comments:

  1. Super dooper fantastic! My first impression was that this looks great on you, then I read your reservations. I can't see the swing at the back but the side shaping is very flattering IMO. The double sided fabric works well for this design too :)

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    1. Thanks, Dilliander! I didn't include a back shot because I didn't love it. ;)

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  2. I love this! The color of the fabric is so happy! I hope you come around to loving it and wearing it alot. Also, can I say that I love reading your sewing adventures because the garments you sew are so totally different than mine. That inspires me to look at things a different way!

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    1. Thanks, Carolyn! I love you because you are a class act. :D

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  3. Is this really reversible? Or are you just showing is your neat finishes and awesome sewing skill! Perfect garment for casual mooching.

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    1. Thanks, Gail! It is reversible, so long as I don't zip it up on the coral side!

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  4. Oh, purty, purty, purty. Love that coral inside! The shaping looks great on you from the front. Hopefully you'll decide to really like this, because it looks great on you!

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    1. Thanks, Dixie! I will wear it a bit and see what I think.

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  5. This is a clever idea. The colours are lovely.

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    1. Thanks, velosewer! I like how they combined coral with black.

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  6. I think this is really cute on you as is, but I'm sure you will make several tweaks to the next version to make it even more complimentary to your figure. Fabulous fabric. Interesting that you posted this today--I just cut my first version of this top earlier this evening. Hope mine turns out even half as well as yours!

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    1. Yes, Marcy, if I make this again, I will tweak. I look forward to seeing yours!

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  7. I am officially in love with this hoodie. The coral makes it totally special.

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  8. Love the hoodie. I follow you on Artiasn Square and also love your humor on your blog.

    Deb

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  9. Great go to jacket. It is very flattering too with it's luscious color.

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  10. Oooooh, what a terrific piece for fall-walking on fallen, crunchy leaves and such wonderful fall things. Nice. Very nice.

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  11. Cosy and attractive! I like the pop of bubble gum pink. It's sort of happy and playful on a cool day.

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  12. I love this Shams. Its so you (IMO) and the colours are so pretty. I like that it's a basic piece with a twist or two.

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  13. Very flattering garment on you. Your work always looks very professional and this is no exception.

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  14. Cute, cute, cute. Great color combination too!

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  15. I love this garment-color and style. Your spirit is inspirational.

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  16. Oh the whole oufit is to die for!!! My favorite color is pink and I LOVE hoodies and your necklace is perfect!!! High five!!!!

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  17. Great pairing of pattern and fabric. Looks very good on you too.

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  18. Love it! and love the colors on you,too!

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  19. I like this hoodie, great colors.

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  20. Such a gorgeous hoodie, and I adore these two colours together. And reversible too, woot! So clever.
    And I just read your previous post; how scary to almost lose your blog! and I am really glad you got it back and that I in some tiny roundabout way helped :) I would hate to lose you and your wealth of inspiration!

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  21. It's probably too late for this version, but outdoor clothing stores sell zippers that the pull can be reversed on - it slides over a groove in the top of the pull. Lovely hoodie, btw

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  22. I like this on you, and love hoodies.

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  23. So cute!!I love the whole process and the end result, it seems comfortable and light to wear. Love the colors, so warm!

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