Raglan – SewSophieLynn

Joy Jacket from Chalk and Notch

It’s not often that you sew up a challenging, time-consuming project then immediately start dreaming up your next one. The Joy Jacket from Chalk and Notch has left me wanting more! It’s such a versatile, lightweight jacket that will get so much love. Read to the end so you can win your own copy too to make your jacket fantasies come true!

With Spring on my mind, I knew I wanted a pretty pink jacket. I ordered a fancy gold zipper and blush fabric only to not have my intended fabric ship on time. In stepped Diana at Raspberry Creek Fabrics to rescue me! A few days later this gorgeous blush peach lightweight twill was in my hands and my jacket dreams were a reality.

All I can think is “Man, that’s a pur-ty jacket!” I love how it turned out and think it will be a great date night layer.

The story behind this pattern is a touching one. Emily of Enjoyful Makes has a much beloved jacket of her late mother’s and searched high and low for a similar one. In stepped Gabriela of Chalk and Notch. She took the jacket and drafted a pattern even better than the original. The pattern is named after Emily’s mom, Joy. Such a sweet story and I knew I needed one of my own.

There are multiple options with this pattern. I chose the wide collar version but there is also a hood option. I did the square patch pocket but there are cute angled pockets as well. I did a drawstring at the neck but you can add one at the hem as well.

The jacket is also fully lined and beautifully finished. I used this gorgeous rayon challis also from Raspberry Creek.

With my fabric mix up I was terribly behind in the testing. We had arranged studio time on a Friday morning and I picked up my fabric that Wednesday morning. Totally enough time to sew up a jacket, right?!! I had my pattern prepped and waiting so by the time my fabric came out of the dryer I was ready to roll. After putting kids to bed, I was able to sew uninterrupted until about midnight and had my jacket almost finished except for topstitching. I would call myself a timid intermediate sewist and feel like if I could sew this jacket any adventurous beginner could tackle this. You’ll learn new skills and with a sew-along planned Gabriela will walk you through all the difficult steps too. I love the feeling you get from a well finished, challenging sew and this jacket is right up there.

While I absolutely love this jacket, I think this fabric is a bit too light colored and sheer to be practical for daily wear. There are other colors of this fabric in stock that would work fantastic though. The Heathered Grey Twill is this same fabric content and would make the best everyday choice. I’m hoping to make another that I can throw on for errands and soccer games. Raspberry Creek has stocked fabrics just perfect for this pattern. There are multiple colors of Tencel Twill that would be beautiful and lots of pretty lining choices too.

I was so lucky to get together with my sewing buddies for pics. I love how our jackets all suit us to a tee. Tiahna of Ammon Lane, Rachel of Little Fish, and Nicole of Merritts Makes are sewing rockstars. I always love their style and take on patterns.

Ready to win your own copy?! Just comment on this post (make sure to leave your email address)- that’s it! I’ll pick a random winner on Monday February 26th. I can’t wait to see everyone living in their Joy Jackets!

Love Notions Rockford Raglan

Are you ready for another amazing pattern from Love Notions?!! (This post contains affiliate links. Purchasing through them provides me a little kickback to keep up this lil sewing habit of mine!) The Rockford Raglan is such a versatile top and will be a staple in your wardrobe!

There are so many fun options with this pattern that I had to keep sewing them up! There are swingy top and tunic versions, an asymetrical overlay, and a banded option. Add in multiple sleeve lengths and this could be the only raglan top you need.

I sewed up four different tops during testing and love them all. The view D banded version is a great everyday basic. This one is done in french terry from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. It’s fun to dress up with a scarf and cozy enough for pairing with my favorite joggers for snuggling on the couch.

Double brushed poly is perfect for the view A swingy tunic option. This pretty fabric is also from Raspberry Creek (surprise, surprise). I’m going to need to grab some leggings to match this one. It’ll be too cute paired with boots!

This view B top version might be my surprise favorite. I paired these fabrics from my stash on a whim and love it so much! These flowy versions are perfect for hiding those extra holiday pounds and look great under a cozy cardigan too.

I think raglans are the perfect blank slate to add a little vinyl fun. This pretty white and pinecone version (also from Raspberry Creek Fabric) was just asking for a little bling. I wanted to do something wintery that could be worn through the new year too. My Cricut sure is getting a workout this time of year!

Which view are you going to sew up first? It’s so hard to pick a favorite!!

I was lucky enough to get together with fellow testers Rachel from Little Fish and Anna from Kainara Stitches. It’s so fun having sewing buddies close by and even more fun when we’re pattern testing together.

Rachel is a rockstar for braving our freezing temps in her short sleeve version! I love seeing the various versions on our different body types. Such a cute, flattering top!

You can grab your copy while it’s on sale here through December 19th! Perfect pattern for a little breather between holiday sewing projects!

Can’t wait to see all your versions!!

There’s a New Lane in Town

You can stop your search for the perfect raglan right here…

I’ve shared my Lane love before. Love really doesn’t even cut it. You can see my OBSESSION here and here not to mention the handful that are unphotographed because they are constantly in the laundry.

Well, my old favorite has gotten an upgrade! Adrianna has worked her little bum off to make an already fantastic pattern fit even better!

I seriously can’t get over how much I love the fit of this tee!

This was my Valentine Lane made before the upgrade…I was already loving the fit although others in the pdf world weren’t so sure.

The original was roomier up top with a wide sleeve angle. Not a terrible fit by any means.

New Lane on the left, old Lane on the right. Fantastic, right?!!!

The new angle of the sleeves is absolutely perfect! I love how it slims my shoulders and highlights my curves while gliding over what I want to hide.

The new pattern comes with a full bust adjustment front pattern piece for those blessed with a bigger chest. There’s also the hood, chest pocket, and thumbhole cuff options too!

If you’ve previously bought the Lane the new version is yours- just redownload from your account. I love that you don’t need to buy a separate upgrade!

My versions were sewn up with my favorite cotton/lycra solids from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. I love, love the solid white in the shop- not sheer but not too heavy, just perfect for this pattern. The floral is from Girl Charlee. My only modification to the pattern is to make a cuff on the elbow length sleeve- I will band everything I can! With bands this whole top can be made on a serger in no time at all.

Pick yours up here today while it’s on sale!

Pattern for Pirates Knitfix Hoodie

I’ve been hoarding this floral for months and I’m so, so thrilled I finally cut into it.

I first cut this out and used the scraps to make this sweatshirt for Payton so you probably recognize the fun print.

I wanted an extra cozy sweatshirt so I pulled out my Patterns for Pirates Raglan and Add-ons. I went all in with a cross-over funnel hood, kangaroo pocket, and thumbhole cuffs.

It was the perfect combination for the coziest sweatshirt ev-ah!!

The floral is a Girl Charlee knitfix french terry and the hood lining is Purple Seamstress stripes. The cuffs and bottom band are oatmeal french terry from Raspberry Creek.

I have a feeling this will get a lot of wear this winter. Especially for the holidays- this is my kinda Christmas sweater!

Putting Joggers to the Test

Continue reading “Putting Joggers to the Test” →

My Raglan Love Affair

Edited: The Hey June Lane Raglan has been updated as of February 25th, 2015. You can see my review of the new version here. Patterns for Pirates also has a new slim fit raglan option.

I think I could wear a raglan everyday. If you know me, you might think that I actually do. I have long sleeve, short sleeve, three-quarter sleeves, sweatshirts, hoodies, and even a sweater knit version. They are so fun to mix and match fabric and to add fun details like kangaroo pockets or floral bias trim neck binding. I’m a stay-at-home mom so my ‘work’ outfits are usually all about comfort. Because of that, I mainly sew casual clothes for myself and save the fancy stuff for my girls (less fabric, time, and let’s face it- they’re WAY cuter to sew for).

I rarely sew a pattern over and over. I love to try new designs and pdf designers do a fine job of keeping me busy with the latest and greatest patterns. I only have a handful of patterns I pull out time after time. The Lane Raglan by Hey June Handmade and the Pattern for Pirates Raglan are two of those patterns.

My raglan love affair began with this Lane Raglan from Hey June Handmade. Adrianna posted a similar version somewhere and I just had to copy it. I had this yummy mustard stripe french terry from LA and this gorgeous Liberty bias trim I picked up when I was in London. This is a size medium and I rolled the hems and tacked them up on both the sleeves and the bottom hem. This fabric has very little stretch and the medium is a nice roomy fit.

This lightweight jersey version with stretch lace sleeves was next. Again a size medium with bands this time. While I love this one, the lace is heavy and pulled the neck way too wide for me. With a little help from the ever amazing Diana, the neckline is better and she converted me to using a much shorter neckband than what the pattern calls for. Duh, it’s been a game changer keeping my under-things in check.

Now enter Patterns for Pirates Raglan Bundle Pack. Holy cow, do I love this pattern! That button-up cowl with those big ‘ol wood buttons is pretty fantastic. The options with this pattern are endless. This is a non-stretch sweatshirt fleece in a size small. It’s a little snug and I think I’d go up a size next time I use fabric this stiff.

Then I had to make a sweater-knit version with the ruched cowl and thumbhole cuffs. Doesn’t get much comfier than that and it’s so much more chic than a standard hoodie.

Not that I don’t love me a good hoodie. This version was actually made by my swap buddy, Jessie, for a monthly sewing swap I do. It’s pretty awesome and I sure lucked out that month. Not only did she send me this amazing version but she also tucked in two fun short sleeve versions as well.

Speaking of short sleeve versions, the one on the left is a cotton lycra blend with no bands and the side seams contoured in. That super cute vinyl is from Sew Fancy iron-on vinyl on Facebook. The one on the right is a jersey knit with a banded bottom and the sleeves brought in a bit. All of my P4P versions are a size small. The pattern is very roomy and relaxed and I’ve never felt the need to go up or down a size except when using sweatshirt fleece.

One of my newest favs is my Raspberry Creek Club Fabrics Lane. If you’re anything like me, your Instagram and FB feeds are full of floral sleeved raglans right now. You better believe I’m whipping up my own as fast as I can.

Now for a couple side-by-sides. The Lane Raglan has a slimmer fit, hugging your curves more and creating them where you need them. The new improved Lane now has a hood and thumb hole option which totally elevate the pattern. And you can add the cute pocket out of your favorite fabric scrap, too! The P4P is loose and grazes those curves you might want to hide and offers more options than the Lane. The P4P with add-on pack offers multiple sleeve and hem lengths, elbow patches, a hood, cross-over funnel hood, funnel collar, button up funnel collar, ruched funnel collar, cowl neck, kangaroo pocket and thumb hole cuffs- phew!

The Lane hoodie is on the left and the P4P on the right. Don’t mind my angry gangster face, that’s totally how you’re supposed to act with your hood up right?!

These are french terry versions. I know they can’t all be my favorite but these are way up there. The french terry is from Raspberry Creek Fabrics as is that amazing quilted knit (I had just enough left over from this dress). The P4P is on the left (size small) and the Lane is on the right (size medium).

Now these are cotton jersey versions of both in size smalls (I made the P4P version on the right for my own swap partner). It’s easy to see the more relaxed feel of the P4P one on the right. The angle of the sleeves are very different and each will flatter different body types. I’ve got a smaller chest and I don’t mind the shaping of the P4P but my friend Emily swears by the angle of the Lane to flatter her curves better.

The P4P is on the top and the Lane is on the bottom. The sleeve angle of the Lane slims her so much, don’tcha think? I’m amazed at how different these look on her. She’s kinda famous for her Lane obsession but when it looks that good on you I’d make a closet full too! Thanks for letting me share these, Em!

And finally to prove just how versatile these patterns are…

My most worn raglan this summer- a Lane rashguard. I followed this tutorial from Dandelion Drift (she used the Hey June Union St. tee for hers, another great pattern) and added a padded shelf bra. I used the small pattern size and brought in the sides to be snug and prevent it from creeping up while swimming.

So, if you read this post hoping I’d tell you to get one or the other, sorry! I love both patterns and think you NEED both of them in your life pronto! They both have different looks and options and will flatter your body in different ways. A cozy P4P cowl neck for the cooler weather ahead would be perfect. A sexy lace sleeved Lane for date night might wow your hubby and convince him to let you buy ALL the fabric to make a million more.

So, do you have a favorite? A new one I should give a try?

I need to mention that I am in no way affiliated with either Patterns for Pirates or Hey June Handmade. I think both designers just get women and you can’t go wrong with any of their patterns. Pick up these patterns here and here and feel free to look around a bit.

Tag: Raglan