True to form, right at the beginning of spring I’ve made a rather wintery ensemble for myself. Typical! 😀
No, actually Mari from Seamster Patterns contacted me again asking me to take part in the second and last part of the SewIndependent month and as luck would have it Paprika Patterns Jasper sweater dress was one of the patterns available. I’ve had my eye on this pattern thanks to Megan’s and Sue’s versions. We’re all Perth girls so how fun would it be if we all met up wearing our matching Jaspers, hehe. For my Jasper, I decided get some of this lovely chocolate-brown marled knit from KnitWit, which I have also had my eye on for some time but been unable to justify the purchase. It’s gorgeous stuff. Soft and springy and slightly fluffy and ever so snuggly. With yet another little bout of luck, I discovered it was on sale for half price. The advantages to shopping at the end of the season! Booyeah!! *does an almighty air fist pump, although only mentally because the lady in the store would have thought I was bonkers*
I made up the dress version with collar, and left off that buttoned placket thingie. I was a little doubtful about how the curved-in nature of the skirt would look on my pear-shaped self, and so I cut the pegged portion edge of the pieces from hip level down to flare out straight and slightly A-line, rather than curving inwards. I think this silhouette is far far better on me.
I also left off the lower band and simply hand-hemmed the lower edge instead… this gave me a little fabric leftover, and so I decided to use this to make a kind of mini-slip to wear underneath the dress, so it’s like a set. My “slip” is the simplest affair; comprising a “skirt” cut from the chocolate brown knit attached to a “singlet” cut from cream-coloured poly stretch knit. I vaguely used the Nettie bodysuit pattern for this bit; cutting it wider and looser, the armholes quite a bit deeper and wider, and gave a random mid-point scoop to the neckline, to get more of a singlet shape at the top. I finished the armhole and neckline edges using a self-fabric band and hand-hemmed the lower edge of the skirt.
I originally had high-flown ideas of adding a few faux leather details to my ensemble, thanks to a quiet ongoing little love affair with pleather detailing; and so I did the tunic welt pockets in pleather. Also partly for the extra stability it lends to the welt. I think they turned out rather well, and aesthetically I LOVE how the shiny smooth pleather contrasts against the fluffy softness of the knit.
To visually tie the two pieces together, I then proceeded to finish the lower edge of the slip skirt with pleather binding. I cannot stress enough how hideous this turned out; the pleather was so stiff and structural compared to my soft and super-flowy chocolate knit that it made the hem of the skirt flare stiffly and super-duper-unattractively. No sooner had I finished it, put it on and laid eyes on it in the mirror than I seized the scissors and cut that bit off; ahem, taking absolutely no pictures to assault the eyes. Trust me, it was just too awful for words. So now, the welts are the only lonely bit of pleather appearing anywhere on the ensemble; nowhere else to balance it out. I’m a little disappointed, but think it doesn’t look too ridick. Maybe a bit. Anyway, it’s done, so yeah. There’s no point in getting too upset after the fact.
Fortunately, I adore it and can see myself wearing it a tonne. Besides being warm and comfortable and cuddly like wearing a blanket, it’s absolutely my winter style. I love minis for winter, and I love loose drapey tunic tops, and double-decker love the combination of the two together. It’s also “my” colour. Sorry to yammer on about “my” colours, but I’m lately on a bit of a thing about autumnifying my wardrobe, colour-wise.
Adhering dutifully but very happily to my resolution to be more mindful in my sewing 🙂
Details:
Tunic dress; the Jasper by Paprika Patterns, chocolate brown knit
Slip; Nettie bodysuit modified; chocolate brown knit and cream poly stretch knit
Tights; my own pattern, black poly stretch knit, details here It can possibly be seen from my pictures; these have HAD IT. I’ve worn these to sags-and-bagsville and back; and desperately need new ones! but with spring here I’m trying to hold off until next year 🙂
Boots; Roberto del Carlo, from Zomp shoes
Funny coindidink; I’ve only just now realised that I mindlessly plucked the Nettie pattern out to eyeball for my slip because I already have this pattern; however it’s actually another one of the patterns on offer in sew indie month!
As mentioned, the pattern is part of the Sewing Indie month. I received the pattern free in order to help spread the word, but chose it myself, paid for my materials, made it myself and am very happy with the pattern. Please note that as always, there are no affiliate links on my blog and never will be.
The Paprika Patterns Jasper sweater dress, along with the Nettie bodysuit and eight other patterns, is part of the Indie pattern bundle on sale from Monday 1st September until Thursday 10th September.
As with the first pattern bundle there is a charitable component to the sale, with 20% of pattern sale proceeds to be donated to Women for Women, which helps women dealing with violence, marginalization, and poverty due to war and conflict.
- Casa Crafty
- Cation Designs
- Girls in the Garden
- Grey’s Fabric
- Groovy Baby and Mama
- House of Pinheiro
- How Good is That?
- Lucky Lucille
- Magpie Makery
- Scruffy Badger Time
- Thread Theory
- Three Dresses Project
- Workroom Social
Oh yeah, I know what pleather love is like, having just had a torrid affair myself. I like the detailing you added and don't think you need more. It's also so liberating to hack off an offending piece it was almost (almost) worth it. This outfit does look snuggly and warm, like a blanket. I think of hot chocolate. I quickly reminded myself, hey, aren't you heading to spring? Yes, you are but this is irresistible no matter what time of year it is.
Carolyn, you are able to make a stylish outfit with clean looks out of a pattern for comfy and snuggly garments! I like the idea of the pattern bundle, but I am horrified by unused patterns waiting in my stash and prefer buying certain patterns only. 🙂
so stylish 🙂 love the chocolatey color, and little detail in pleather.. i have that pattern, hope that i'll finally find right fabric and make one hooded jasper for me this winter (i planned to make a sweatshirt, but after seeing your version, i think i may go for dress instead)
I love the idea of a skirt slip to go under – I think it looks absolutely fab! Shame about the lonely pleather tho' 🙁
Great look!
I love everything about this. I haven't made the dress yet, but I might try to squeeze one in before it gets too hot. It also makes me feel better that even you make mistakes sometimes 😉
Snuggly and stylish. Now that is a coup Carolyn.
This is lovely. I love that neckline and the little minidress is a great idea! I've had this pattern in my mental queue – will have to wait until next winter as I'm all about spring now!
As always you are an inspiration – gorgeous styling, fabric and color choices.
Thank you so much Kathleen 🙂
This looks so wonderfully cozy! Love the colour!
This is a great look with perfect touches. Using the Nettie as a basis for the skirt, pure genius!
Wow I love this! It was already a cute pattern, but your mods really work for you
What was that in your last post? Something about loathing people who brag about shooting keen fabrics?! Haha! Love that dress! I've had an eye on that pattern too for some while now and you make it very hard to resist it any longer 🙂 But here, winter is now ahead and warm and cozy fabrics aren't on sale. So maybe I'll join you in waiting until the last minute and than I'm so gonna brag about buying beautiful fabric on sale 😉
fab outfit and definitely snuggly. And so smart to make it separates so you can wear the pieces with other things in your closet.
and I meant to say I seem to always do the same thing – complete a warm winter coat just as spring is springing and I don't need it at all 🙂
Looks warm and cosy to me. Maybe something I should make for fall?
I love the idea of the slip – dress combination, a terrific upgrade to the dress on it's own.
I love it! The skirt was an inspired addition and really finishes the outfit off. I already have the longer version cut out but am running out of time before Spring appears. Next year perhaps?
I alway like a bit of un-seasonal sewing and your chocolatey ensemble is lovely. How fun would a jasper jamboree be!
I have just seen this pattern in the bundle and been convinced I should buy because of it. I am sure this will be worn to death here in the UK over the next months. Like you I am defying current weather and sewing in lemon linen. *sigh* I won't get many more opportunities to wear that now.
Your jasper is fabulous, and reinforces my decision to buy the bundle. Thanks Carolyn!
Looks perfect, so snugly but stylish. I got the pattern too after seeing Megan's and have some pink fleece waiting. Maybe I'll manage before Summer!
Thanks Lucy! 🙂
You look so snuggly and warm! I love this jumper pattern and you have made a gorgeous version. If Winter wasn't over I'd be persuaded to make one.
Love this whole outfit. The Jasper has caught my eye before, but your version with the mini slip is fabulous.
This looks so beautiful and snuggly. I hope you get a few opportunities to wear it before summer hits!
That really is a beautiful collar! Lovely ensemble!
I would never have guessed you were 'pear' shaped – you hide it well. In any case I like your version of this sweater far better than the ones with bands at the hips and I don't think the pocket bindings are lonesome at all (they have each other to relate to). Your colours are absolutely autumnal and you look stunning in that outfit. Well done!
So pretty. I like the idea of the skirt on the bodysuit. Such a nice comfortable winter combination. I checked out the sizing and they are really generous in the hips….something I always look for in straight tunic type patterns. Love the pleather detail.
That is SOOO cool! I am definitely going to make this now. I have some french terry that is calling my name…
I do love this. We are coming into autumn here in the UK and your warm and snugly outfit would be just the thing!
What a great adaptation of the Jasper! I love the flared bottom…think I may do the same on my next go-round and it would suit my pear-ish figure too 🙂 I like the shiny contrast welts also. They just add a little something!
This is gorgeous, the style, colour and the fabric sounds so warm.