I have really been enjoying how Trish Newbery patterns have met my criteria as far as sewing classic knit basics for my Fall/Winter wardrobe this year. This is the Piper Sweater sewn up in a faux suede stretch fabric.
The Piper is designed as a slouchy, snuggly sweater that offers your choice of turtleneck/funnel neck, roll collar or crew neck finishes. The sleeves can be made with a puff or straight sleeve along with a short or long cuff option. There is a tunic length option for wearing with leggings as well as the more cropped version. Once again it is the kind of pattern that offers many options that made with a variety of fabrics will help to build a wonderful seasonal capsule wardrobe.
With the holiday season only a few weeks away I chose to sew my Piper Sweater up in a stretch faux suede so that I had something comfortable but chic to add to my holiday wardrobe choices. It will be perfect for casual Christmas gatherings or it can be layered under a fancy coat for outdoor gatherings or Christmas events.
The faux suede offers a wonderfully luxurious look as well as comfort all in one. This fabric was sourced from a local fabric shop. It has a buttery soft texture and it is really nice to sew. I used an overlocker for the entire outfit except for the double needle finishes on the skirt and cuff hem.
I made a size large . This pattern is made for a 5"6" model so being 6 feet tall I had to lengthen the sleeves, bodice and cuffs by several inches. I also doubled the width of the waist band so that it would create a more proportionate wide band for my height. I drafted the waist band down by two sizes for a snugger fit over my hips, and did the same for the turtleneck as I like a tighter fit so it doesn't look floppy. Trish Newbery provides a sew along YouTube for this pattern. You can find it here. For the self drafted skirt I used the same waist band technique and size that I used for the top. That way the top lies flat over the skirt giving it the illusion of a dress. It is a great to wear together and I also have two versatile separates to combine with other outfits that I can dress up or down.
I am really pleased with this make overall. It was a great mix of fabric coupled with a an easy to sew pattern. Its always so rewarding to create an entire outfit that adds versatility and style to your wardrobe. After all.... There is Sew Much To Design
Happy Sewing,
Lou Sheffer