I lucked out and it got chilly this morning(54 degrees F) so I was able to take some pics of my newest make- and my last make of winter- Vogue Designer Originals 2620 Betsy Jackson Hooded Pullover! On my birthday I told my husband what I really needed for winter was a cozy house sweater like the one I had when we were first married. He told me go get the fabric and make one, so I did.

BETTY JACKSON HOODED SWEATER

This one is a bit extra but I love it. I wanted something oversized and cozy warm for winter and this is like wearing a blanket!

I ordered this really fabulous cable knit wool coating in Dove grey from Core Fabrics (if you want some head over quick- as of 2/14 there was just 3 yards left! Links below in DETAILS) and I adore it. It’s so late in the season and spring is basically already here in Florida so I didn’t want to commit to detailed coat construction so I looked through my stash and came up with this awesome Betty Jackson Pattern that I was gifted awhile back and have never made. I LOVE 90’s patterns and am envisioning making up the shirt version in a crisp shirting or silk. I wanted a simple pattern with clean lines and this fit the bill.

Next winter I am going to make a real coat. I already have a princess seam collared coat pattern drafted out – using Suzy Furrer’s Craftsy Class – but will need some time to commit to construction. If you want to draft a coat I highly suggest this class! It teaches you everything you need to know to design and draft a coat with linings, collars etc.

ALL THE DETAILS

FABRIC & NOTIONS:

Cable Knit Weave Italian Wool Coating – Dove Grey (3yds)

Like a cross between a hand-knit sweater and cozy wool coating, this Italian wool blend features a striking cable knit weave that caught our eye right away. Soft and cuddly, it has a dense yet lofty hand and moderate drape, and is guaranteed to keep you toasty warm all winter long. We recommend it for cozy coats, shawls, capes, or perhaps a lovely lap blanket.

CORE FABRICS

• WIDTH: 59″ / 150 cm
• WEIGHT: Heavyweight
• FIBRE: 80% Virgin Wool / 20% Nylon
• COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Italy

Midweight Weft Interfacing for Tailoring – White (2yds)

For all your soft tailoring needs, our high-quality weft fusible interfacing adds structure while still allowing the fabric to drape. Ideal for wools and other midweight to heavyweight fabrics, use it to add body and stability to jacket bodies, collars, cuffs, pockets and other fine details.

CORE FABRICS

• WIDTH: 60″ / 152 cm
• WEIGHT: 70 gsm / 2 oz/yd2
• FIBRE: 100% Polyester
• COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: China

Also used:

Gütermann All Purpose rPET Recycled Thread – Very Light Grey 008

PATTERN:

Betty Jackson Vogue Designer Original 2620

©1991; Betty Jackson – Misses’ Shirt. Very loose-fitting shirt has dropped shoulders, low armholes, side slits, stitched hems and long sleeves. B: collar, button pockets, concealed button fly closing. C: pullover, single layer hood (wrong side may show).

RESOURCES:

Mastering Miters by Linda Lee

In Linda Lee’s Mastering Miters, you will learn seven methods of mitering corners including how to miter symmetric and asymmetric hems, outside bindings, narrow and wide borders and applied bands.

THE SEWING WORKSHOP

Anyway back to the jacket. It’s a simple hoodie with a front overlapping placket and a split hem. I cut mine in a size 14 based on my measurements and the fit is spot on. It’s slimmer through the front with added drape in the back so it doesn’t overpower my figure. The hood is super cozy and I love how the wrap placket provides a bit of warmth at the neck.

This fabric was a bit bulky to work with these seams but I made it work. The hood has a french seam down the center (Next time I’ll flat fell it, but it was a bit too fidly in this fabric) and was cut with the selvedge on the edge so I didn’t have to finish that seam. It has a 2″ hem which is stitched down. For all the other seams I serged all my edges first and then proceeded with construction. This kept the pieces a bit more stable and made finishing easier.

The facings are interfaced with weft interfacing which makes the collar a bit more stable and clean. This was a pretty easy to construct make, though I always find plackets like this tricky to keep even. Luckily the pattern of the wool made it very easy to line everything up and keep my lines straight. Mitered hems add to the finishing details. I used my handy dandy Linda Lee Miter book, Mastering Miters, to make my corners perfect, especially since the underside does show. I love how they turned out- especially with the topstitching.

Detail Shots:

My son said I look really young in this, but also kinda like Grogu from the Mandolorian. I don’t know if that’s good or bad. My daughter loves it and would probably steal it if it wasn’t wool- she’s a bit sensitive. I told her I can make her one of her own.

I’ve been really enjoying my weekend sewing lately. I try to focus on business during the week and treat myself to sewing now on the weekends. I just drafted up a slim pant pattern that I’m working on and finished a V-neck dress pattern with a bias cut skirt. Next up is some new swimwear and yoga gear. I’m working on two new embroidery patterns for my shop that will be a bit more advanced, a large scale hibiscus design and a blue poppy floral design. I’m experimenting this week with embroidery techniques. Can’t wait to share them- they are looking so cool!

If you’re interested in my embroidery patterns today is the last day of my birthday sale over in my Etsy Shop. Use code: HAPPYBIRTHDAY to get 20% off.

Back soon with some more makes and my Spring Wardrobe Plans! Happy Sewing!