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Tuesday 19 August 2014

I only work in black - in contrast to Burda's white lace

I only work in black, and sometimes, really, really dark grey....

Thank you Batman.
Yes, the Lego Movie has had a few screenings in this small plastic block and superhero obsessed household - personally, I love the 80's space dude "SpaceShip!!!!" as he's my era & we still have the grey moon bases & lunar vehicles ;)
I digress... I'm in love with my new jumper/sweater... I've been pinning loose boxy tops from the A/W collections & remembering 80's wind cheaters with a certain level of fondness (for the comfort) and horror (I had a pink one with printed koalas...).
And it's been cold.
While visiting The Fabric Store at the start of the sales, I fell for this heavy, felted grey/black wool & bought the last of the roll - 1m.... well, when I laid my pattern pieces out, it's actually 80cm... I swore sighed at the 20% shrinkage.
There are many loose boxy top patterns around, so I chose Burda 03/2013 #116. It's shown in a lovely white lace (with matching pencil skirt) and is the easy pattern of the issue with an illustrated "Sewing Lesson for Beginners"; lovely step by step instructions that I didn't read.


I cut the straight size 38 (for an 88cm 34 3/4" bust), with body and sleeve length determined by the fabric that I had.
I did need to unpick the right shoulder and move it closer to the neck by 1cm for my uneven shoulder - the dropped sleeves made it really apparent.
I hemmed the sleeves & neck by overlocking & turning them to the inside, then using my twin needle.
Being winter, I used the last of my wool as a waistband to fit my top snuggly to my hips (no drafts here!) and blouson over my waist.
A Burda pattern sheet for comparing with the Japanese ones ;)
This top was the pink shaded one, I've never traced one of them before; the black remains my fave
I really like my snuggly winter jumper - it's perfectly warm & cozy.


And this is my first Erstwilder Dachshund brooch - Silly Samuel, who is clearly a Sally!

20 comments:

  1. It is lovely! The fabric really makes it special. Do you find the felted wool itchy next to your skin? Love your whole outfit.

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  2. Thanks Rachel ;) I've been wearing a long sleeved top under it so far - the cropped sleeves and winter have combined to make that a necessity, so I'm not sure how annoying it would be... however it is a nicer felted wool, and I'm usually pretty good. The wide neckline also makes it non-irritating for me ;)

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  3. You got that amazing jumper out of 80cm! Wahoo. Well done you. Love what you did at the wasit- nothing worse than having a blast of cold air up your back.

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  4. Thanks Louise ;) It was wide, 150cm, & the dropped sleeve style meant the sleeves could get away with being less than 40cm each (well, they had no choice really) ;) And I agree, I love a loose back in summer, but for winter, brrrr!

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  5. Fab jumper, and perfect to wear with thin layering tees in the winter. I love your cute brooch too. I definitely prefer this version to the lacy Burda one.

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  6. Thanks Anne ;) It's just what my winter wardrobe needed (and I have quite a few long-sleeved layering tops sewn recently). I've got a soft spot for Burda's spring silhouette in the photo, so I might try a lacy version ... or I'm just being swayed by the 'vision'... ;)

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  7. Nice work imagining the burda lacy top as a winter jumper. That's quite a leap. And now I n-e-e-e-e-d a dachshund brooch. Off to visit the link...

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  8. This is so your style, lovely! What the about the 20cm shrinkage though- nuts~!

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  9. Love it! The added waistband is perfect; I love that blouson effect. I was just at The Fabric Store sale recently, fully intending to buy up big in the merino wool section....came home loaded up with summery silks and linens instead. I think my subconscious is telling me something ;)

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  10. Yay! Erstwilder dachshund brooches for all!! Let me know if you're having difficulties locating some - or if you find a great stockist, let me know that too! (I might be coveting a few more...) & Thank you ;)

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  11. Thanks Amanda - and I know - serious "pox" moment ;( Am glad I made it work, but I might have preferred the full length! ;)

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  12. Summer!!!! Spring is here at last!!!!! ;) I'm finally seeing enough sun that I'm excited about spring too - mind you, I didn't come to terms with winter until the third month of cold this year ;) And if I didn't spend so many days agonising about whether or not to unpick my uneven cables, I might have finished my ascot scarf while it was still warm enough to wear it...

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  13. I like the waistband too- nice choice and of course, I'm brooch lusting.

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  14. Ummm. I have no idea about all your cultural references there BUT I do very much like your new jumper! That fabric is beautiful & such a good match for this pattern. Bet you'll get loads of wear out of this one :)

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  15. ;) Thanks Jenny. I have 2 small assistants who would be delighted to introduce you to the Lego movie... For your cultural edifications (out of context) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyOb1KyZdbY and

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  16. Yay! Thanks Anne, and we much all have all the dachshund brooches! ;)

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  17. Oh my goodness, you took thick, practical winter wool and made it all funky, drapey and flattering! I love this on you. The dachsund broach? BEST PART!

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  18. Thanks Catja - I've had SO much wear out if it, so snuggly and hopefully, stylish ;) And there are some very swinging kittys in the Erstwilder collection...

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  19. ohh, swinging kitties. going to look now...

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We've love you to reply, comments make the dachshund & I smile ;)