I keep complaining about the cold, being the delicate flower that I am, but for some reason I also keep finding myself in dresses on a daily basis. What’s a girl to do?
DUH, MAKE THAT SHIT OUT OF SWEATSHIRT FLEECE.
Pair it up with some merino leggings and you’ve got yourself a nice stew outfit!
This is Lola from Victory Patterns. A dress pattern specifically designed to look like a sweatshirt, who woulda thunk!
I don’t feel like I have much to say about this pattern, but I’ll try anyway. I cut the size 2, although I did take in the lower bust seams (toward the empire waist seam) and the upper skirt seams for a slightly closer fit. Actually, I recut the entire skirt because the first time just wasn’t doing it for me – I had shortened it, added the ribbed band at the bottom, and it just looked… weird. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a cute look (lord know I’ve made millions of these types of fitted knit dresses with bands at the bottom, lolz, back when I used to ~sell~), but with this fabric/ribbing/on ME, it didn’t look good. So off it went, and I had to cut a new skirt because my shortened skirt was tooo short for even me. Bummer, because I had been thinking about making Landon a sweatshirt with the remaining fabric, as it’s a color that he really likes. BUT NOT ANYMORE, SORRY LANDY.
So, I left off the bottom band. I also left off the pockets, as I felt like they added unnecessary bulk. Of course, now I find myself reaching for said nonexistent pockets – oh well! Perhaps the next version of this dress will include them, I dunno.
At any rate, this was super quick to make up, especially since I used my serger for nearly every seam. And it looks pretty cute, if I do say so myself, although I think I prefer to wear this color with burgundy tights instead of brown. My favorite part is the little V at the neckline, it really makes it look like a proper sweatshirt! I debated flipped the fabric to show the wrong side as suggested in the pattern, but it just looked like I had sewn the V on backward and ain’t nobody got time for that.
Next time, I will try this in a ponte knit, like my homegirl Sonja already did (you should probably know by now that I spend most of my sewing life trying to emulate her and her makes, it’s tru). With the sweatshirt fleece, it’s pretty casual – which is nice!, but it would also be nice in a not-casual fabric too. I might even try doing the ribbing in a matchy color, instead of the contrast I’ve got going on here.
Speaking of which….
So, the pattern calls for actual rib knit to finish those edges. Guys, where the fuck do you even find that shit? I saw a giant (like, bigger than me) pile of assorted rib knit odds and ends while I was in Chicago at the Textile Discount Outlet, and obviously I grabbed an armful (eh, they were like a quarter apiece, sue me), but all the greens I got were all wrong. And not all wrong in a cool contrasty way, they were all wrong in a “I tried to match this but I done goofed” way. So much for that! I’m a big fan of finishing knit edges with self-fabric, but this fleece is not terribly stretchy, so what did I do?
Oh yeah. I went there. RIP American Flag Sweater, hope u enjoy your new life as a pillow!~*~*~*~
Basically, I just cut the rib knit off the sweater (including the bottom hem rib knit, but we all know how that did not work out) and treated it like it was the kind you purchase by the yard. It sews in the same way as those knit bands I looove, although I would rly rly recommend using a serger for this particular task, since it likes to shed. A lot! And it looks pretty profesh! Good idea to file away for those huge novelty sweaters you have but don’t ever wear (am I the only one with a stash of those? All right), especially since you can sew the sides up and make it into a pillow :3 lol my couch is so patriotic now.
So there’s that! No flat shots because I’m wearing this as I type this post, heh heh heh! Sorry, not sorry! If you were wondering, YES, I did get a hair cut! Got me some bangs, and I think I love them! I also should point out that every time I typed “sweatshirt” in this post, nine times out of ten it came up as “sweatshit.” Where is my mind. I need a vacation.
EDIT Looks like Victory Patterns is running a Black Friday sale woohoo! Take 30% off your entire order with the code “happyanny”! Thanks to everyone who alerted me of this, yay for saving money! haha!
LLADYBIRD 
When I made my lola I used the same fabric for the “rib knit” bits and it turned out just fine btw 🙂 I also lengthened my sleeves to be full length – because I live on the Canadian prairies and it is COLD up here!
I definitely want to lengthen the sleeves on the next one. Can’t deal with short sleeves when it’s this cold everywhere 🙂
I like your version much better than the original design! The contrast collar and cuffs make it look very stylish. You would need very skinny hips(which of course you have) to get away with those huge pockets. Good idea to sacrifice a no longer wearable sweater, or indeed buy one at a charity shop.
Wasn’t sure about the dress at first but, then I saw the close ups and saw the seam detail – I like it. I also like your fringe (or bangs as you call them over there) – it makes you look kind of edgy.
I was just thinking this morning as I was putting on my sweater dress that I wear more dresses in the winter than I do in the summer. Funny how that happens! But I LOVE wearing tights! They are so freaking cozy to me. Good idea using that old sweater for the ribbing!!
Patch pockets! I think just normal patch pockets on the front of the dress would be great! Not that this version isn’t already great – I really love the contrast bands. And how clever of you to think up how to use more of the old sweater than just the ribbing. Like jen, I’m also dealing with the onset of a Canadian winter (though not on the prairies so a little less bitterly frigid and more damp instead – yay) and cozy knit dresses are getting really appealing. I made a knock-off of a modcloth knit dress a couple weeks ago and could just live in that thing!
Like this dress, Love the bangs!
Sweatshirtdresses are always tricky. But this one looks really polished.
All I want to wear anymore are dresses/tunics, leggings, and boots. And sweatshirts on the weekend. This is the perfect mashup of all my loves! When you first posted that you were making this dress I wasn’t thrilled with the pattern for me because of my extra hippage. And waistage. And bustage. But I love it! It is now in my to do list…which is ever growing because I’m waiting on my new sewing machine (gift cards for Christmas!!!). I love it without the pockets, and the sweater idea was ingenious. And the skirt shape without the band is very pretty. Love the bangs too 🙂 I may have to set aside some gift cards for a serger as well….
Yessss, do it! You won’t regret it; sergers are awesome 😀
I need to get the sweatshirt knit in order to make this dress. I’ve had the pattern for quite some time now (since summer, but ick who sews a sweatshirt dress when it’s nearly 90?) & now that I’m growing a pumpkin in my belly, i feel like it’ll have to wait until next winter. POO. Good thing baby’s are cute. 🙂
Mae
I’m loving on your new bangs! They look fantastic. The dress is too! I bet this is the most perfectly comfortable outfit a person could wear.
I love it! This is such a cozy dress. I have the pattern ready to go and am just at the fabric debate part – ponte or sweatshirt knit? This dress was designed for my mom, so hopefully I’ll make a decision by Christmas so she will get a good present!
Loves!!! Funnily enough I have the same pattern in front of me now – just got it out the postbox, a prezzie from Backstitch. It looks so snuggly! I don’t have any rib knit though… will see if I can get away with something else attached with a stretchy stitch… Love the hair too, BTW xx
haha we should make matching versions… so we can be like twinsies, on opposite sides of the world 😛
I love the bangs! I’ve been tempted to get some myself, but have a pesky cowlick 😦
The sweatshit dress is super cute!
I do tooooo haha! That’s why my bangs always look slightly askew – they are cut straight, but my cowlick makes them un-straight haha 🙂
Love this, I have had this pattern since Sonja’s cute version and I am going to get it made this December. Especially after seeing your cute version, thanks for the tips on the skirt and pockets. Great job and cute haircut.
Oh, Lori, I can’t wait to see yours, I bet it’ll be fabulous!
Like you dress, the ribbing is a nice touch. Would a never thought of it. I made this last month twice in a crepe Jersey then a ponte. Made a lot of the same adjustments you did incl leaving off pockets. I love the ponte one it’s so cosy & looks great in a bright turquoise. It’s a great winter dress with tights.
That looks so nice and snuggly! I love the changes you made. That dress is not quite my style, but I like the way you made it up with no pockets and no bottom band. Looks really nice!
Cute dress! Your bangs look super cute too. Miss ya, yarn buddy!
I miss you too!
GirlCharlee.com has a fuck ton of rib knit in every color.
Really good to know, thanks for the tip!
Very cute and cosy looking – win, win! I’m also currently on a sweatshirt sewing binge, I’ve just made McCall’s M6614 and some pants to go with in sweatshirt fabric plus some things for my kids and wanted to make this dress but didn’t have the pattern, wish I had now. I buy all of my jersey ribbing from Lebenskleidung online. They’re a German based supplier but ship worldwide. I now have shed loads of ribbing in different colours because you have to buy a minimum of 5 metres. Maybe we can do a swap sometime!
Shit, that is awesome. I would TOTALLY swap with you, but what do I have that you want? Vintage patterns, maybe? 🙂 Hahaha! Or maybe I’ll just buy some of your unwanted extra yardage 😛 Holler at me if you wanna make it happen!
Off loading some extra yardage sounds good, but how can we make that happen??
Forgot to say! I’ve got a great giveaway from Collegien going on my blog, it’s my first but I don’t think anyone knows about it, so come and visit me and check it out!
Send me an email, tell me what ya got, and we can work something out 🙂
Love the bangs, they really suit you! LOVE this dress! super cute and flattering which I would not have guessed when looking at the pattern details.
I checked the Lola on the site and I must say, your version is much more flattering. The original silhouette would fit a more teen-y figure. Great job! I’m very much inspired.
I’ve been eyeing Lola for a while. I love your version! I also love that you went all MacGyver with the rib knit. Looks great!
Try “rockywoods” for rib knit. They carry it in several colors and two different weights.
I wouldn’t have picked that pattern from the envelope, but you totally made me change my mind. Your dress is lovely.
Love this – the perfect mix of feminine with ultimate comfort. Great idea to turn your old sweater into a pillow too =)
It looks so cozy! I also put contrasting bands on mine http://grayallday.wordpress.com/2013/10/26/victory-patterns-lola/ but the rib knit I got stretches out and has no recovery. Your idea is really smart!
Liking the dress! And good timing…many of my nashvegas peeps were posting on fb yesterday about it snowing! But then again if it snows in the NV, everything freaking shuts down like the world is ending! Well, stay warm!
Yeah, it flurried for a couple of hours, then stuck for about an hour, then melted, and the whole city went into apocalyptic mode. It’s so ridiculous the way we handle (or rather, don’t handle) snow 🙂
How cute is this?! I like the different skirt– it looks great on you! I’ll be lurking these comments to see if I can find a good source for knit ribbing because I never see it anywhere in the Garment District (except for small, dusty-looking odds & ends from time to time, ugh).
Looks better than the original pattern – certainly in the back. I think you’ve struck a pretty nice balance between ‘relaxed’ and ‘fitted’ here. Nice work!
The dress is cool but your fringe is adorable! After a lifetime fringe wearer I’m loving then being in fashion, even if only briefly.
You know, I’ve had bangs almost my entire life until I hit my 20s, then I just wanted to grow them out. But I like having them back, change is fun!
This dress is amazing and I love, love, love your bangs! I think bangs look great on everyone 🙂
I know I’ve said this already but I love the bangs on you!! It matches your style and your spunky personality 😉
I love this dress!! It looks so comfy!! I think it would look great with some color blocking.
Also…how teeny-tiny are you?! You look great!! I’m trying so hard to lose my chub. How did you do it and what do you do to maintain your weight?
Haha honestly? I stopped taking hormonal birth control and got an IUD. I’m not saying that *makes* you lose weight, but I did gain weight while I was on BC and then immediately lost it when I stopped taking it. I think I’m about 15-20 lbs less than I was a little over a year ago. It’s also really really close to what I weighed in high school, which was pre-birth control (I started when I was 18, so I was on it for almost 10 years). So I think this is just my body’s set point, tbh.
Ah yes, birth control can definitely have that effect!! I was also on it for years and went off within this past year. I’ve lost a few pounds but I think that’s mostly from all the yoga I do, hah! I tried an IUD but YOUCH, not good for my body! Good to hear it’s working for you 🙂
I’ve looked at the Lola before but was never interested until I saw your version! I couldn’t really see the details on the light-colored fabric on their website, but I can see the empire waist and princess seams in your version, and I like it much better now that I can see them. I also like how you’ve removed the bottom band and pockets. I might actually make a dress like this, but with a bit more ease in the skirt for me. Victory Patterns should hire you because I’ve seriously never given this pattern a second thought before!
I have made this dress twice before and never got it looking right. But you have made me determined to give it another go. It looks fantastic.
Both the Sugar plump dress and now this dress let your petiteness shine! You look *fabulous* in them. And yay for the bangs, they suit you well.
Your bangs look bangin’!!
I like this… this has inspired me to try sewing with fleece next winter (in Australia it’s approaching summer time). I own a RTW fleece dress and love it to bit but it’s like 4 years old and started to look ratty.
Thanks for sharing!
That’s a nice dress, like others, I prefer yours than the version on Victory’s website !
I wear dresses in winter too, wooly tights are sooo much warmer than a pair of jeans…
Love that dress – makes me see Lola in a whole new winter friendly light. Beautiful fringe/bangs – frame your pretty pixie face wonderfully!
This is so cute! And looks so nice and cosy for winter. And now I see that victory patterns have all their patterns on sale…it’s like the stars have aligned…
Really perfect timing, I reckon!
That version is GREAT! I’m going to have to buy this pattern now!! I wouldn’t have looked twice at this pattern before but your version, without the pockets looks sooooo good! and I just so happen to have some sweatshirt fabric in stash!
Oh this looks so cozy!! I’ve been wondering about this pattern for awhile – but nevermind rib knit, I can never find sweatshirt knit!! wtf. Very jealous of your warm and snuggly sweatshirt dress. The weather decided to turn cold here (like 50 degrees… ha!) and I’m seriously beside myself!!
I know, I can never find it either! This stuff is actually from Chicago… I think I got it from Vogue Fabrics? It was the only sweatshirt knit I found that is actually fleecy on the wrong side (as opposed to other sweatshirt knits that aren’t… I mean, what’s the point) and it was REALLY cheap. Like $6 a yard cheap. I love the color, too, wish I’d bought more! Oh well.
I’m with ya, 50 degrees is fucking freezing! It’s been 30 here all week and I want to die, almost. Haha
Gorgeous! Love Victory Patterns and this dress, and it just looks fabulous in you. Nice job.
Super cute – Both your dress and your bangs 🙂 Lola has been on my to-do list for far too long now, and I love seeing your yours turned out. I wasn’t sure where to get ribbing either (and the pile at the Textile Discount Outlet kind of scares me), but like the idea of cutting up an old sweater.
Loving the idea of a dress in such snuggly fabric and also loving your new hair!
You are so fabulous. Love this!
Doesn’t the fleecey inside stick to your tights?
Surprisingly, it really doesn’t. Wish it was that way with all my unlined garments!
So I know this post is pretty old, but if you’re still looking for a source for rib knit, check out Girl Charlee. They have it in a handful of colors.