Wear to Where :: Coffee Shop

Coffee is good.  Getting together with friends to drink coffee is better.  Since moving to New Jersey, the latter has become more elusive, since I’m still making local friends.  Enter the Wear to Where series hosted by Katy of Wild and Wanderful and Angelica of Gardening in High Heels, and I had the perfect opportunity to put the two together for my “Coffee Shop” look!

Rachel of Handcrafted by Red lives not too far from me and volunteered to meet halfway and notch down the awkward that would have been me with a tripod and remote at my local Starbuck’s.  It’s slightly less embarrassing to have your photos taken by someone else in a coffee shop you’ve never been to in a town you don’t know.  The barista was thoroughly amused as you can see.

When I think coffee shop attire, I think cozy and comfortable.  For me that means French terry, tunic and a cowl.  I’ve had the Jasper Sweater/Dress from Paprika Patterns for a while, so I jumped on the opportunity to make it for this series.

I love this pattern!  It has sweater or dress length, a hood or cowl and welt pockets – a kangaroo style pouch connects the two.  I made the dress length, cowl option with royal purple cotton French terry from Girl Charlee.  I’m not seeing it in stock right now.  I used the same terry for the cuffs and band at the bottom which worked reasonably well.

I didn’t muslin, but I think the fit is quite good!  I’m seeing just a little bit of excess fabric between my bust and my armpit which is telling me next time I need to make a size smaller and make a full bust adjustment.  This pattern has princess seams, so the adjustment should be straightforward.  The shoulder is nice and wide, an area that I usually need to adjust since I have broad, square shoulders.  I’m particularly fond of the way the sleeves are constructed with the seam rotated backwards to meet the back princess seam – sorry, no photo of that.

The pattern is written for sizes 1 to 10 which translates to 31.5″ to 49″ bust.  There are two blocks used, which overlap at sizes 6 and 7.  The pattern is nested and while there are no layers, it’s easy to differentiate the different sizes.  A copy shop file is also included.  The instructions are illustrated, with links to blog posts for the welt pocket construction and for a minimal full bust adjustment.

Outfit Details:
Pattern: Jasper Sweater/Dress by Paprika Patterns
Fabric: Cotton French terry from Girl Charlee (not currently available)

Be sure to head over to Wild+Wanderful or Gardening in High Heels to check out the other brilliant bloggers, sewists and stylistas on the tour, as well as be able to link up your own looks and show us what you would Wear to Where!

Now let’s talk giveaway prizes for this tour!!
For the sewists: Choice of 3 patterns from Cole’s Creations, Choice of 3 patterns from Made for Mermaids, Pattern of choice from Patterns for Pirates, Pattern of choice from Scientific Seamstress, Sewing-tee of choice from Sewing Stadium, Pattern of choice from Simple Life Pattern Co, Pattern of choice from StitchArt

For the Fashionistas: Set of 6 cards from Designs by Nicolina, 30 minute Social Media/Copy Consult by Gardening in High Heels, Tee of choice from Handmade Escapade, $20 Store Credit from Jenny Penny Designs, Tumbler from Joy+Tren

A big thanks to our amazing sponsors!
Cole’s Creations | Designs by Nicolina | Gardening in High Heels
Handmade Escapade | Jenny Penny Designs | Joy+Tren
Made for Mermaids | Patterns for Pirates | Scientific Seamstress
Sewing Stadium | Simple Life Pattern Co | Stitch Art

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