Cocoon
I think I might have found my perfect uniform for the winter. Its winter worthy credentials include:
Can be worn with skinny trousers that easily tuck into winter boots and have the added benefit of keeping legs warm
A top half tunic that can be layered underneath and cardiganned and long coated over the top and means:
No drafty gap between bottom and top half
Uses a fabulous, easy to make, contemporary pattern so looks pretty chic too.
Sounds perfect I hear you agree, but to which fabulous, easy, contemporary pattern do you refer? I tell you the Inari Tee / Dress and you say - isn't that a summer dress? And I say well yes, but if you have any doubt as to its chicness and appropriateness for winter you just have to check this, and this, and this, and this ... Convinced? Well ok, I haven't done much to demonstrate its winter-ability (and I know one is a top but isn't it wonderful?) but maybe chic is enough ...?
I'm 100% with zeal and glee throwing myself on the Inari bandwagon. It looks like a simple design but has such wonderful details that make it really flattering despite or maybe because of the cocoon shape. This I find surprising as for a pear-shaped lady I generally steer a million miles away from shapes that don't give me waist definition. But the way the back curves around to the front, the side slits, the pretty neckline and the sleeve cuffs all make it a bit more than your average sack dress (not intended as a denigrating term). I love it. I wear this one a lot and have another silk version cut out and am about to cut a knit version too. All of which I will wear with jeans or leggings or thick tights (if I'm feeling brave as due to lack of fabric the first two versions are pretty short for a dress.)
I have had a surprising number of compliments on this - the most memorable being a lady at MoMA who told me I looked like a Monet painting.
The fabric was another purchase during the wine and cheese and fabric evening. It's silk, but not the best quality. There were a few faults in it which I had to avoid when cutting out and it feels quite fragile but it's nice to wear and I love the mottled colours and can totally see the ponds, lilies and dappled shade Lady MoMA was referring to.
Inari is really straightforward to sew and the instructions create a really nice finish particularly on the hem and cuffs. I chose to use the neckfacing rather than binding and do get a little frustrated with it popping out. I under stitched it and stitched in the ditch at the shoulder seam to try and prevent it flapping around, but it still does a little. I think making it a little deeper might help it to lie better so am going to try that on the next version.
This pattern has totally focused my sewing for winter. I'm planning more of these types of tunics and some oversized shirt dresses and maybe even some longer looser fit dresses that I can also wear over leggings and jeans. I get so bored of t-shirts / sweatshirts and jeans in the winter that this seems like a great, wearable yet relatively chic solution. And just the word cocoon makes me feel snuggly and warm and safe from the elements.
What word or sewing pattern makes you feel cosy for winter?! And how do you deal with flappy facings?
And finally, in the latest of my ridiculously specific fabric cravings if anyone knows where I can track down some cotton jersey, with spandex, in a palm leaf print with a navy background I'd be forever indebted.
See you soon x
