Over the weekend I finally made myself something new to wear. Well actually it was just on Sunday. In fact it was just Sunday afternoon to be precise. Because the Popover Poncho by April Rhodes is extremely straight forward and easy to make and takes less than a day from beginning to end (although in all fairness Jim did cook dinner and bath the girls, so I didn't have any real distractions).
I wasn't intending to make the Poncho this weekend, I was actually thinking I might make the Linden Sweatshirt by Grainline, and had made a special trip to Fabworks on Saturday morning to get some slightly odd silver, sparkly jersey that had been winking at me all week (its honestly the last thing I would expect me to buy) (and I'm still a little confused by it) and some plain grey sweatshirting for a trial run. I took Lily with me and when we left (after two customers and the people I work with had recognised me) she asked if I was famous and stated that Fabworks is a magical place, because it's so full of beautiful things that can made in to even more beautiful things. I liked that. I like the fact that it's going to become a vague memory for her - her mum being famous (to a 7 year old!) and working in a magical place. I have odd memories of my mum like that - good feelings really, more than actual memories.
Anyway, on Sunday I realised that I didn't own a copy of the Linden Sweatshirt pattern (I still think I have one somewhere) so, inspired by the fact the Karen had shown me hers the week before , I made the Poncho instead.
I love a good poncho/cape and on Saturday (as well as the strange sparkly stuff) I bought some beautiful midweight wool, that looks a bit like denim, but has a really nice drape, and some teal brushed cotton. Both of which were perfect (it's almost like I planned it...).
The cutting out (my least favourite part of dressmaking) only took half an hour, tops. And then it was just a case of following the very straight forward instructions for piecing it all together.
I decided to line the pocket with the same fabric that I used for the cowl lining. You can't really see it, but I like the tiny flashes of teal. I also decided to use neon orange thread for the overlocked side seams. Again you don't really see them, but I like that they're there. And as the poncho is swishing around me, you can just catch glimpses of orange.
The cowl was much more straight forward to make and attach than I expected. I chose not to include a drawstring, because I like how it looks without it. But I might include it on the next one I make.
Other than that, I didn't make any changes to the pattern and it fits perfectly. I know that you might think that a poncho doesn't really fit, but a good one sits on the shoulders nicely and doesn't drown you in fabric, while still being flatteringly swishy (that's a technical term). And the Popover Poncho does exactly that.
I already knew that April was a fantastic fabric designer, but this is the first of her patterns that I've tried, and I really did love it. I'm going to make a lightweight one next. Plus I've got some incredible waterproof/mac type of fabric that I'm going to have a go with too.
Next though is the silver, sparkly sweatshirt....