Sewaholic Renfrew, with the cowl

Yeah, so this is definitely one of those patterns you'll make more than once. It's fast, easy and fabulous. What's not to like?

This time, I made the cowl neck version, which has the same bodice as the scoop neck version, that I made last time. So by just switching a single pattern piece, you get a completely different look.

The fabric I used is a rayon jersey with lurex pinstripes. It was thin and curly and totally impossible to tame, so this was the perfect pattern for it, since it is simple and easy to sew. The 5/8 seam allowances were great here, since I was seaming away from all the curling. Generally, I prefer 3/8 or 1/4 seam allowances on a knit, but I may change my practice for extra curly knits, since this was so much easier.

The star of this view is the cowl. This is a detached cowl, as opposed to cut on, which is what I mostly have sewn. It is also cut in two pieces and seamed at the upper edge, which allows for shaping. These two factors make it lie very nicely against the neck, while still draping around the neckline in a graceful way.

It looks awesome with my new favorite jeans (Vogue 1059). I need a few more, I think. 

Burdastyle 05/2011-142

In between fighting with my jacket muslins, I needed a little mental break, and the big boy child needs some pants, so I sewed him a pair.

I know, they look a little like pajamas. He never wears wovens.

The pattern I used was #142 from the 05/2011 issue of Burdastyle magazine. It is designed for woven fabrics with a jersey waistband, but I used an interlock from the stash for the pant and jersey for the waistband. I also replaced the drawstring with elastic.

I chose this pattern for the cute pockets. In front, there are hip pockets that I topstitched in place with my coverstitch machine. I was sort of copying the look of these pants by Mini-Boden. I matched the topstitching thread to the color of the waistband.

The back has patch pockets, which I attached with the coverstitch, and reinforced the corners with bar tacks in a darker shade of grey.

He wore them to school and all afternoon playing and reports that he likes them and they are comfortable. High praise from Logan, so I immediately made another pair. This time I let him choose the fabric, and he surprised me by choosing a woven herringbone suiting in a nice dark grey.

Since these are a bit dressier than the knit pair, I left off all of the topstitching and omitted the back pockets, but i kept the front hip pockets. A boy needs pockets.

Instead of a contrasting jersey waistband, I made this one of self fabric. I did have to ease the pants into the waistband just a little, since the original was drafted for a stretch fabric, but it worked out and Logan is really pleased with his new church pants.

Purple smile courtesy of bribery with popsicle.