Hello everyone, from the other side! I’m back from my weekend at Camp Workroom Social, which was incredible and full of wonderful friendships with hilarious and awe-inspiring women. I got to room with Devon, who I have missed terribly since she moved away to Atlanta, so it was great to see her again! I had such an amazing weekend, full of awesome memories and SO MANY BOOBS (this is what happens when you assist a bra making class, y’all). Get excited for Amy’s new pattern, btw. Based on what was sewed up in our class, it makes everyone’s boobs happy and beautiful and bouncy.
Anyway, as soon as I got home – I crashed real hard and got real sick. Bummer! I am just really thankful that this didn’t happen while I on either of my trips! I guess my body just needed a serious rest. At some point during my sick week (I’m a huge baby when I get sick, and tend to sleep for a couple days straight until it clears up, no shame), I did something weird to my neck and I guess pinched a nerve… I’ve had a migraine since Friday! Needless to say, I have not felt like doing ANYTHING and have been pretty mopey/miserable since then. I have an appointment with a chiropractor later today – I am literally counting down the hours at this point, it’s that bad – which will hopefully get me fixed up, or at least started down the right path!
So I guess the theme for this post is comfy clothes. Because that’s about all I have been able to handle for the past week… super comfy clothes that double as secret pajamas.
( Also, I took these photos a couple weeks ago, so hold back on your comments of “oh you look nice even when you’re sick!” I wasn’t sick when I took these pictures 😛 haha )
It’s still not quite cold here in Nashville… we are in those wonderful in-between days where it’s chilly in the morning, very warm in the afternoon (the high today is 83*, yay!), and only a little chilly in the evening. I haven’t turned my air or heat in weeks… my last electric bill was $60 😛 But I know the cold weather is coming, and I’m trying to prep in advance by filling any major wardrobe holes. I know at least when I get cold, I want to be as comfy as possible, in secret pajamas. I won’t go as far as to leave my house in actual pajamas – it’s just not a thing I do, unless I’m super sick (and even then, I can usually muster up the energy to pull on a pair of ponte leggins and a sweatshirt so I’m not rolling up to the Kroger in my flannel pjs or some shit) – but I am all about wearing clothes that feel comfy like pjs while looking much more pulled-together from an outsider perspective. Stretch fabrics are the key here, y’all. I think we all already know that, but I just said it again anyway.
One thing I was thinking I needed in my closet was a fitted black turtleneck… to wear with high-waisted skirts, jeans, or as an additional layer of warmth. I remember owning a ribbed black turtleneck back in the 90s and wearing the everloving shit out of that thing because it made me feel like I looked sophisticated. I don’t think sophisticated is a word that anyone would ever use to describe my style, but whatever. I can still have these goals.
Anyway, I used the Rise and Fall Turtleneck from Papercut Patterns, which I’ve had my eye on since it was released last year. There are two versions in this pattern – I made the “Rise,” which is more fitted with a mock turtleneck, the sleek look I was going for. I cut an XXS to start, but it was still a bit more loose than what I was envisioning. I kept taking in the side and sleeve seams until it was more fitted, which probably brought it down to – my guess – about an XXXS (if that was even a size option). I think the shoulder seams are still a bit more dropped than what was comfortable, so after I took these photos I ended up taking the sleeves off, cutting back the shoulder, and then reattaching them (sorry, I don’t have any photos of this and I am not able to take any of my sick ass so you can just believe me here, ha). When I make this pattern again, I will double check the shoulder/armscye seams against another pattern that fits me and make adjustments before I cut my fabric. For my on-the-fly alterations, this was fine.
I used light rib knit fabric from Organic Cotton Plus for my turtleneck, in a classic black. This stuff is traditionally used to make ribbed cuffs and necklines, but like I said, I wanted a whole 90s-eqsue turtleneck out of that shit. It’s super soft and laundered up beautifully. It did stretch out a bit when I stitched the hem with a twin needle – it actually got really flared and crazy looking, to be honest – so I threw it in the wash and it shrunk up to what you see now. Still a little wavy, but it’s not terrible. I am guessing this particular fabric won’t have a fantastic recovery since it’s 100% cotton – and cotton tends to grow over the course of the day, it needs a little bit of Lycra to snap it back into shape – but it should shrink up after it’s washed. I haven’t had a chance to wear it properly yet as it’s still a bit too hot for full-on neck coverage, but we’ll see how that works out. I may like it a little more loose. Maybe.
Aaaaaand while we’re talking about comfy – I also made a Pashmina! I LOVE Pashminas; they are one of my go-to souvenirs when I’m traveling. Not to mention, they are handy to have while you’re traveling, especially if you’re on a chilly airplane. Wearing it as a regular scarf definitely keeps me warm, but it can also double as a lightweight blanket without actually looking like… well, a blanket (you can also wad it up and use it as a pillow if you’re lucky enough to get the window seat). It’s also a nice alternative to a sweater or cardigan when you’re wearing fancy dress – again, draped over the shoulders like a cape looks really lovely.
Ok, “made” is a very very loose term here 😉 I got 2 yards of wool cashmere Pashmina fabric (also from Organic Cotton Plus) and frayed the edges with a pin. So there’s not really so much making here – I didn’t even sew a thing, the selvedge edges were finished as they were – but not even project needs a mess of sewing to be proud of, you know? At $26 a yard, this fabric is far from cheap – but a total of $46 (and maybe an hour of fraying) but it is organic wool, and certainly less expensive than the questionable-origins Pashminas I see at Nordstrom. So there’s that.
It’s hard to get a good photo of this fabric, but it’s very light and floaty with a loose weave that has a bit of a design in it-
It’s also pretty translucent. I originally considered using it to make a full-on lined wool skirt, but it’s just too loosely woven and lightweight, like, well, a scarf 😉
Here is a close-up of my fraying. I pulled one cross grain thread to make a straight line (same as you’d do when tugging your fabric to be on-grain) and then gently pulled the threads below to make a fringe, using a pin. It probably took about an hour, and wasn’t too bad once I got into the swing of things. I did not secure my fraying with a line of stitching or anything – upon examining all my other scarves, they don’t have any stitching at the end and they have held up fine.
Finally, I should mention – those jeans are secret pajamas too, y’all! They are actually JEGGINGS, made with cotton stretch denim knit, which is like a really awesome ponte that looks like jeans. You can read the post about them here. I’ve worn them steadily for about a year and a half and they’ve held up nicely – washed and worn well, and are still sooo comfy. See! Secret pajamas. These were totally in regular rotation while my dad was in the hospital, btw. I had to wear pants because they keep that ICU freeeeeezing, so it was nice to have something knit that was comfortable enough to wear for hours of sitting. Should you be lucky enough to not have to spend a week in an ICU waiting room, I can also vouch that these pants/this fabric is great for traveling 😉
Speaking of traveling – I have one more workshop (well, two back to back) before I’m done for the year! I’ll be in NYC next weekend for jeans making (which is sold out!) and the ever-popular Weekend Pants Making Intensive (which I think still has a couple of open spots if you’ve been on the fence! TREAT YO SELF), both at Workroom Social! Can’t wait 😀
**Note: The fabrics in this post were provided to me by Organic Cotton Plus, in exchange for a blog post review. All opinions are my own, however, all links to said fabrics *are* affiliate links (which all funds will divert to my Coverstitch Savings Account). The Papercut pattern was purchased with my own dollars, though! ♥
EDIT: I can’t believe I didn’t notice that this is totally a Steve Jobs outfit hahahahaha
LLADYBIRD 
Next time you’re hemming a ribbed knit, crowd the whomp out of it at the back of the presser foot with your finger. It forces the feed dogs to stop stretching the rib as the fabric goes under the needle — sort of a poor man’s differential feed. I use this quick-and-dirty technique on anything stretchy that I am machine hemming.
Interesting! I’ve used that to ease in set sleeves and such, but I’ve never tried it on a stretchy fabric. I usually use a walking foot for that purpose, it controls the feed to keep it from stretching out. Although some fabrics – like this one – will stretch no matter what you do. I will try that next time, though!
Love wardrobe basics. Especially in black. The pashmina certainly does add a look of instant sophistacation to the outfit, so I’d definitely vote on that styling when trying to pass for adulting. LOL.
Pashmina to solve all adult needs! haha!
That pashmina is seriously gorgeous! And, funny thing, I remember making a hem on a wool scarf, about a gazillion years ago, in 4H 🙂 I’m just hopping over to organic cotton’s site to check this out. Hope you’re feeling better in time for Halloween! Costume in the forecast?
(need 2nd cup of coffee….) meant to say that the edge of the 4H scarf was made exactly like the fringe-y edge on your pashmina wrap. could be time to revisit that one!
I probably won’t make anything for Halloween… haven’t even given it thought and it’s in 4 days, yikes! Although looking back at this post, I have the perfect Steve Jobs costume already made hahahaha
I have made the Rise and Fall turtlenecks before and had the same issues as you. I actually think that pattern is kind of weird. If I remember correctly the Fall version tapers in toward the hem and like you said, the fit is huge. Maybe I will try them again but with LOTS of changes. Yours is cute, I love the 90s rib vibe.
Hope you get that neck sorted out and you feel better soon!
I’ve seen it work really well on other bloggers, so it’s probably just a matter of us not being the right size for the pattern block. It’s pretty easy to size down, though, so that’s not too big of an issue 🙂
That pashmina is gorgeous and I absolutely love the turtle neck. It’s incredible that you can make your own clothes and I’m very jealous!
Thank you! 🙂
I hope you feel better soon!!! Great outfit. I’m all about the secret pajamas.
Forreal, secret pajamas are the JAM!
I went to order some of that beautiful cashmere and some cotton while I was there but THEN got to the shipping ($55) YIKES that stopped me in my tracks sadly 😦 Gorgeous turtleneck and pashima! I always love to see what you’re up to – you always inspire me!
Whoa that is an obscene shipping cost!!! I wouldn’t want to pay that either ;(
It looks great! That will be a great staple for this winter.
Thank you! I am thinking so too 🙂
Nice look – and good to know the pashmina requires no special handling. I’ve always thought I should make a few. I’ll be at the pants-making class in a couple of weeks. I look forward to meeting you.
Yay! I’m looking forward to meeting you as well – and helping you make some awesome PANTS! 😀
Thanks for posting this lovely pattern–a pattern that I would actually wear. By the way, will you be commenting on the Vogue Patterns this season? I just received my copy of the Dec./Jan. catalog and was not impressed. There are a few skirts that look promising, but who wears those unflattering voluminous tunics and baggy, baggy pants. It would be difficult to drive an SUV or pickup in one of these (I live in Kansas). These designs just cry out for critique.
Probably not this year. I looked at them when they were released, and they’re just kind of… meh. I really don’t see anything terrible enough to warrant a blasting, they just look like a rehashing of the past 5 years of Vogue Patterns, except done in different fabrics haha
Amen!