Drafting a Cowl

Posted in Sewing Projects and Tutorials by

DSC_4292

So I have taken my bodice sloper and made a knit sloper from it. I used some old knits to try as a muslin and was happy with the fit of the knit bodice. So I placed that on tag for future t-shirts.

IMG_0482 IMG_0483 IMG_0485

I worked through the lesson for drafting a cowl neck from my bodice sloper.  My first mock-up was pretty good but the shoulder seams were too far back by 1 inch.  I lowered the front shoulder seams and dropped my armhole a bit to make up for the 1 inch I took off in the shoulder and cut the changes straight away from the same mock-up knit fabric that is a lovely polka dot brown.

IMG_0488 IMG_0490

This seemed to work out quite nicely. I proceeded to turn under the armhole edges and sewed them with a small hem using a stretch stitch.

For the hem on the bottom I used some steam a seam to hold the hem in place I turned it up 3/4 inch. I proceeded to try out my twin needle for the first time. I loved the results!

DSC_4294

My Juki can be set up for a coverstitch but it is such a hassle that I would rather use the twin needle.  If I sew lots of knits in the future I think it would be worth investing in a coverstitch machine.  Switching back and forth to serging takes such a long time. I did however serg my side seams in a pretty blue…..because that was the thread still in there from my skirt project 🙂

DSC_4293

Overall I am very pleased with this pattern, there is a facing in the front and back so the neckline is just a soft fold over and it stays tucked in quite well, I made the facing 4 inches long in the front and 3 in the back.  I may try a double cowl for a more dressy top in the future or better yet extend my side seams down and make it a dress 🙂

DSC_4297 DSC_4298

 

DSC_4292 DSC_4289 DSC_4288 DSC_4287

The next thing I would like to tackle is following along with the course and practicing more dart manipulation but in a woven…..looks like I have to break out the muslin again 😉

Check this out!  The El Nino’s is moving through the pacific ocean in South California and the tuna is coming close to shore. This has brought 1000’s of bright red crabs that have got caught in the surf and washed up on shore  😦 Such is the cycle of nature. They where last seen on the shores in 1997.  Along with the crabs, and tuna come the great white sharks too! So I will not be swimming in there any time soon!

IMG_0509 IMG_0511 IMG_0513 IMG_0518

 

4 thoughts on “Drafting a Cowl”

  1. Goodness!! This top is so very beautiful!! I love the design and the fabric, and those crabs look pretty great too! 🙂

    I should get into drafting the patterns from Suzie’s classes. I got them all and I haven’t really done much more than the bodice sloper… We’ll see…
    Perhapps one day I will try to have a theme these classes and draft and create the patterns that she instructs. That would be cool right? 🙂

    Anyways, ti is lovely and inspiring to see your creations! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thank you so much, you are so sweet. How did you find the bodice course? It took me many tries to get the bodice as close as I can to looking pretty good but not yet perfect. I think the fit would be way better than whatever comes out of a package to sew though.

      I think the drafting stuff is fascinating and I am following along as she instructs and just trying the dart manipulations that appeal to me and practicing these new skills 🙂

      Thanks for visiting and I love seeing your inspiring creations too 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment