I heart this Linden sweatshirt so ridiculously much. I’m glad to be finally sharing it with you.
For such a simple project, I certainly learned a lot from it. I had two major break throughs with this project – one technical, one emotional.
Firstly, reading Iconic Patterns blog post about the difference between Fitting and Flattering, completely shifted my view of how I adjust patterns to fit me. I used to think “good fit” meant “following the curves of my body” or “having the correct amount of ease” or even “not having any wrinkles”. I have rather extreme differences between my shoulder and hip measurements and to maintain the design ease as drafted required equally extreme adjustments around my hips. Then, when it was all said in done, I usually hated how the finished garment looked on me. After reading Lena’s article, I know realize what I really wanted was to have just enough ease for it to be comfortable, but at the same time maintain the flow of the garment so the difference my shoulder-hip ratio looked more “ideal/average/normal”. The less adjustments made, the better.
This Linden sweatshirt was my first attempt at this concept, and I’ll detail my changes toward the end of this post.
Secondly, I realized how much I have been worried lately about “looking big” and how this fear has been keeping me from sewing certain styles of clothes for myself. Or even posting about the things that I have been sewing.
I saw Baste + Gather’s aaaammmaaazing quilted Linden, and wanted to make one for myself, but then I told myself wearing something so loose and baggy would look wrong on me. I mean, I couldn’t be more differently proportioned than Lauren. Instead, I tried to solace myself by making quilted jersey sweatpants for my daughters instead. As I was sewing those pants, I fell more and more in love the fabric. I wanted to drape me in its soft squishy beauty!!! And when I really let myself think about it, I wondered why can’t I wear a loose baggy sweatshirt? Does it make me look super skinny and waifish? nope. But why should it? I am not skinny or small or petite. I would never consider size to be a source of shame in another person. Why should it be shameful for me?
I don’t need to portray myself as smaller than I am, or even rationalize my size, past or present, to others. I am a worthy, loved, and beautiful person. period.
In the end, this sweatshirt is my own personal jubilant act of rebellion against those ridiculous cruel voices that were whispering in my ear. I had been giving them credibility that they didn’t deserve, and I love that sewing has allowed me the opportunity to grow in this area. This, somewhat ridiculously twee, quilted-heart sweatshirt is now like wearing a great big hug of self confidence. One that I wear as many days of a week as I can.
Linden Sweatshirt Details
- Fabric: Quilted Jersey from Jo-Ann Fabrics “Doodles” collection
- Pattern: Grainline Studio’s Linden Sweatshirt
- Measurements: High Bust – 41 in; Bust – 43.5 in; Waist – 42; Hips – 52 in; Height – 5 ft 10 in
- Added 6 inches to sleeve length, and left of wristbands.
- Cut size 18, but graded up to an extra 1 1/8 inch at side seams for hips
- Lengthened front 3 1/2 inches, and back 5 inches.
- Left off waistband, and added 5 1/2 inch side vent.
I love this sweatshirt! It looks amazing on you and super comfortable! I love what you learned about yourself and were brave enough to share it! This is what makes the sewing community so great, appreciating our bodies for what they can do and sewing for whatever shape we are.
It is a good community to be in.
Adorable shirt! Great job, great post. You’re a great writer, too. I can relate with your “emotional” breakthrough. Finally I thought to myself, who am I kidding? Haha!
P.S. Cute shoes!!!
oh my gosh. I love them so much.
Seriously, why do we feel like we need to look like we are 18 again? 😛
I’ve had these moments too! Like only cute/pretty/little women could wear trendy styles, and I should stick with more conventional flattering styles. We are our own worst critics! You look fab (and seriously, how to you GLOW so much in every picture I’ve ever seen of you, with all those kiddos to look after?) Keep the selfish sewing coming! 🙂
We are. so sad.
And thank you for the sweet compliments. I’m glad to know that i don’t look old and haggard at age 32. haha!
Super cute sweatshirt and you look great in it! I have felt the same way, thank you for sharing!!!
THank you. 😉
Excellent post! Excellent looking sweatshirt! Excellent revelation!!
Why, thank you, jackie!
Sing it sister! Thanks for posting this. I, too, have struggled with worries about “looking big” lately, and it has kept me from sewing much for myself at all. Which, paradoxically, results in my having fewer choices, many of them ill-fitting, which compounds the problem of not liking what I see when I look in the mirror. Your sweatshirt is lovely and now I want to hit up the Doodles aisle at Joann’s!
I hope you do sew for yourself soon! It is so worth it!
I love it! And even more, I appreciate you sharing it, especially those pictures of you and your boy.
Thank you. 🙂
The most beautiful act of rebellion 🙂 Enjoy wearing it, you gorgeous lady 😀
Thanks, Jenya!
I’m so happy for you that you came to this very true conclusion! You can absolutely wear that sweatshirt! So good!
me too.
Love. Love. Love. You and your sweatshirt are both beautiful!!
thanks, Jess. 🙂
Jodi, you ARE beautiful! Everything you ever wear, even your most casual hang-out attire, is so flattering and accentuates your beauty. But I am very happy to hear that this (fabulous) sweatshirt provided an epiphany for you so you could silence the false voices in your head. Go girl!
Thank you, Amy. You are a good friend.
I’m late to this party but I love everything about this post! Thanks for being bold and self confident (you look amazing and you ARE amazing!) and sharing that breakthrough with the rest of us struggling through the same mire in our own lives. I get hung up on sewing for myself for the same reasons. I’m so glad you blog and inspire… You’re good for my soul!
Thank you, Karen. You are good for mine!
What a lovely blog thank you avery
Thank you for what you wrote. You could have written it for me! Your sweatshirt looks fab *on you!*