My first Mood Sewciety make: Buttercup
Overview:
Did you know that Mood Fabrics has a catalog of free pdf patterns? If not, check them out, here. If so, have you sewn one?
Well I've been wanting to sew one for a while now and I've finally got around to it. I will definitely try more!
Skill Level: ★★
Sewing Time: 1-2 hrs
Pattern Rating:★★★★
Pattern:
Mood Sewciety Buttercup Sweatshirt Collection
I've been hesitant to sew a Mood pattern because I haven't seen many reviews and the few I have read are mixed at best. I chose Buttercup as my first Mood pattern because it's stylish but simple. We all know independent patterns vary greatly in quality. My main concerns were:
Pdf assembly
Instructions
Sizing/Fit
Thankfully the sheets match up perfectly and I had no problem printing the pattern. I especially love that the pages are trimless. Just line up, tape and cut out!
Again I picked a simple pattern that I could sew without instructions. So though I glanced at them and they were clear I'm still unsure about how helpful other patterns instructions may be to a new sewist.
Sizing was a concern because I did see a few comments that these patterns run small. I went up a size from what the size chart recommended and it fits well. I was so worried that I sewed the cropped view first as a wearable muslin. Thankfully I was happy with the fit of this I moved on the the dress length.
Now for just overall style and drafting a few improvements could be made. The sleeves could be a bit larger for more of a statement look that the line drawing suggest. Another issue is the neck hole is very small, thankfully this can easily be fixed as I widen it (as well at lengthened the neck band) for the dress version.
You may have noticed my dress lacks the hem band and that is because the one I cut was way too narrow. Not only would it not stretch to fit the circumference of the hem without being extremely gathered, I wouldn't have been able to walk. So now I have to decide it I want to cut another band, using measurements of the raw hem, or just wear it as is. I like the raw edge, but it is short. What do you think?
I'm sure a full bust adjustment would help with the pulling around the bust and underarm, but the fleece backing tends to catch on whatever is underneath it. Also I just don't care that much for a dress I'm just going to lounge it.
Fabric:
For the cropped version I used the rest of the light gray sweatshirt fleece I used for the wide legged joggers set.
For the dress version I used a 3 yard remnant I found at Walmart for just $8. It's similar to the top fabric as it's a soft, fleece backed sweatshirt knit. I had to grab it because is has these narrow metallic stripes on a light heather gray. I think it dresses up the casual make a bit.
Modifications:
For the top I lengthened the body by an inch and for the dress I widened the neck and omitted the banded hem.
Summary:
All in all I'm impressed! I will definitely try another pattern from Mood.
Pattern: Mood Sewciety Buttercup
Pattern Description: a sweatshirt dress and two cropped sweatshirt options with a subtle statement sleeve.
Sizing: 00-32, I cut a 20
Does it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope? The top more than the dress.
Were the instructions easy to follow: I didn't really use them, but this is a very easy pattern to construct.
Would I recommend it to others? yes
