Winter Wear Designs September Hack-a-Thon

How in the world can it possibly be the end of September already? Here in New England the leaves have started changing, kids are getting back into the full swing of school and we are finally getting settled into our house as we moved from Vermont to New Hampshire at the very beginning of the month. My sewing room looks like an explosion of machines and notions but it is operational-yay!

Just in time for me to join in on this tour. I love hacking patterns. I have posted in the past hacking WWD patterns for the boy child. This time, I decided that I would use my hack-a-thon samples to work on creating a perfect top for Sweet Pea that will eventually become a Supergirl cosplay outfit. *****At the time of publication the blue Supergirl one is in the middle of construction.****

There are still so many patterns with Winter Wear Designs that I have not sewn, I decided Perfect Panel Tee seemed very popular in the Facebook group so I was going to use this as my chance to check it out.

Just a bit about this specific pattern. It comes with the standard WWD 1-14 sizing and offered as a unisex pattern. There are 2 different fit styles for this pattern (European or slim fit and regular fit), plus you can opt for the tshirt style or a-line if that’s more your thing. The sleeves are offered in a standard short, 3/4, and long but there is also a fun knotted option. This shirt is super fun because it has lots of colorblocking options already built into it, making it perfect for custom panels but also for creating a unique look every time you sew. This is the perfect pattern for a new sewist ready to try colorblocking with a step by step option to make it easier!

Now how to hack it to fit the theme of this tour? My daughter has a burgeoning obsession with pockets. She loves collecting rocks, leaves, carrying toy trains with her and is now at the age that she is starting to enjoy all the treasures pockets can hold. I consulted her to see if we wanted to do patch pockets or a kangaroo pocket, then had the brilliant idea to do inseam pockets instead. I sketched out a pocket on a piece of a paper after measuring Sweet Pea’s hand length and width. The cut out 4 of them.

After laying out my pattern pieces and reading through the instructions, I was very interested in seeing that the sleeve would be an inset sleeve (which I am not used to seeing in knit patterns). How exciting!

I constructed the front panel per the excellent instructions that Suzanne puts out, then lined up the front and back pieces so I could decide where I wanted the pocket to be.

After clipping the right sides together for the pocket pieces and the front and back of the shirt, I serged down the edge to attach the pocket pieces to the front and back panel pieces. From there I proceeded with construction as usual, attaching the shoulder then sewing down the sides but making sure to attach the pocket pieces together.

Once you have finished sewing your garment you should have some fun treasure pockets.

*********For my muslin, I did not topstitch the pocket (I forgot in my second one too) and I would recommend topstitching prior to sewing the side seams so that your pockets remain inside the shirt. I used thinner fabrics, similar weight to my fabric for the Supergirl dress in the works, had the fabric been a heavier custom lycra, I probably would have been ok without the topstitching. But since I was using 8oz cl and dbp the pockets in the end needed the topstitching to keep the pocket in place.*************

Version 2 was made purely because Sweet Pea wanted pjs after wearing the black and pink shirt to school. We tried it in DBP because she wanted cuddly fabric.

Here she is enjoying the new pajamas (house shoes and all) I made for her early in the morning while I was getting my son out the door.

And wearing her pink one

I cannot wait to finish the Supergirl version, but that one has to wait just a bit!

Even though today is the last day of the tour, join in on the giveaway fun over at the Winter Wear Designs Fun Facebook Group and read up on the other posts hacking lots of fun patterns from the WWD catalog!

Don’t miss out on any of the stops along the tour!!!!

9/24

Jess of Jot Designs

9/25

Laura of Custom Made by Laura

9/26

Livia of Liviality

Gwen of Crafty Curly Couture

9/27

Alyssa of The Sewing Goatherd

9/28

Laurie of Make it Sew with the Bear and Pea Atelier