Introducing the Rooney Top the new Seamwork pattern release for November.
This is a wonderful take on a sweatshirt style top that will be a great addition to your work, leisurewear and loungewear wardrobe. As a Seamwork Ambassador I have the pleasure of a making patterns for their release, and this is a winner!!
Designed to be made with a knit fabric, the Rooney offers a simple, classic pattern design with the fun element of a gathered waist. Rooney is a paneled sweater with a drawstring waist, designed for knits. The Rooney can be made in a cropped version, or lengthened like I did so the gathers hit at the lower wait/high hip. The waistband itself can be gathered with elastic, a draw string or the more dressy version of a ribbon like I used. It would also be very easy to add a simply ribbed waistband for an even more casual look.
The Rooney offers quite a lot of ease throughout the bodice so I suggest choosing at least one size based on the finished garment measurements. I made a size 10 with pattern with adaptations for length; lengthening the sleeves by 1" and the bodice by 2". I enjoy a cuff to finish off any knit sweater so I added a 2" cuff to the sleeve.
The pattern is a very simple minimalist design and it doesn't take long to sew at all. The front and back main bodice pieces are cut on the fold and the dolman sleeves are incorporated into the side piece. You simply sew the sleeves to the front and back bodice then sew the sweater together. The neckline has a basic knitwear trim that lies flat and keep the lines of the sweater simple and clean. I chose to make my neckline in the same contrasting knit as the cuff.
For the ribbon tie I used black grosgrain ribbon. I carefully melted the end pieces with a lighter to prevent fraying. Simply run the lighter over the end for a second you hardly need to use any flame at all. I used a 2 meter length of ribbon to allow plenty of length to tie it in a large box that would sit above my hip. I pressed the bottom of the bodice so that it folded at the finished hemline, then added two small button holes about 1/2' apart for the ribbon to be slid into. I hemmed the bodice, then used a bodkin to thread the ribbon through the waistband. I think that the grosgrain ribbon helps to dress up the over all look of the Rooney without taking away from the leopard print fabric and the casualness of the style itself.
This is a wonderful pattern that I will use it as my Go-To Sweater pattern all fall and winter. There are so many options to create classic, chic sweaters for my wardrobe.
After all.... there is Sew Much To Design,
Happy Sweater Sewing,
Lou Sheffer
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