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Tasha Could Make That

Tasha Could Make That

Vintage knitting, sewing, and a lifetime of craftiness

Lounging with Linden and pink squirrels

December 4, 2014 by Tasha 24 Comments

Hey guess what, I wear sweatshirts!

linden-sweatshirt

Well I mean, sometimes, obviously. I only have a couple, but they’re both oversized with raglan sleeves… pretty much the exact shape as the Grainline Studio Linden sweatshirt, but with a crew neck. So if any pattern was ever going to get me to sew a sweatshirt, it would be Linden.

And how I came to sew it was a bit roundabout. I was contacted by Organic Cotton Plus to see if I wanted to try out one of their fabrics. Some free organic fabric to try out? Yippee, thanks yes please! I settled on something I hadn’t sewn with, to make it more interesting: French terry. They didn’t have too many colors, but I picked a deep cranberry (the color on my monitor was very true to the actual fabric color). I planned to make a super comfy Moneta dress for lounging around.

Of course, I didn’t actually realize just how thick the fabric until it arrived, so when it did, thoughts of a dress became somewhat questionable. Definitely not impossible, but I thought maybe I should try for something else. It’s amazingly soft and lush, but a bit hefty. I mean it’s thick enough that in order to get two layers under my serger, I actually had to lift up on the front edge of the foot to get it underneath.

French terry is an interesting fabric, where the front side is smooth and the back is loopy, almost like a towel, which makes it nice and plush and comfy, but certainly a bit limiting in terms of what you’d actually want to make with it.

Organic Cotton Plus french terry

I ran through other things in my mind it would be good for, and then I realized a Grainline Studio Linden sweatshirt! Bingo. And because I couldn’t seem to turn up any matching rib fabric for the bands as called for in the pattern (and self fabric wouldn’t have worked well—too many thick seams), my thoughts turned to an organic cotton jersey I had in my stash from the German brand Lillestoff, because the background color was almost an exact match. But it wasn’t ribbing, and still being a bit of a newb with knits, I popped off an email to Jen to ask if my idea was okay. When I got the green light to try it out, I plowed ahead.

And yes, the jersey has hot pink squirrels on it. Squirrels and strawberries, I might add. Actually squirrels, strawberries, and flowers.

Well come on, it’s a sweatshirt. Might a well have a bit of fun with it, right?!

Linden sweatshirt with jersey bands

The construction was really straightforward. Other than the Organic Cotton Plus French terry being so thick, sewing with it was pretty much a breeze. I did change rotary cutter blades before since mine was getting a bit dull to cut through two layers of thick fabric, but then I had no problem. It didn’t even shed as much as I was expecting, so other than the thickness it really was not much different than sewing with any of the other knit fabrics I’ve tried so far.

I think at one point I actually said sewing French terry was like sewing with a hug.

Grainline Studio Linden sweatshirt in Organic Cotton Plus French terry

I did run into a bit of an issue with the neck band, but I think it was because my jersey fabric wasn’t as stretchy as ribbing. So even stretched, mine was way too short to ease in the neckline without it causing a rippled mess, so I cut a longer band. I went a bit too long so the neck band stands at attention somewhat, but I decided not to rip it out and re-do it since I actually think it gives it a bit of a cute funnel neck look. I’m calling it a design element. 😉

Grainline Studio Linden sweatshirt

Besides, it’s a sweatshirt with squirrels on it. It’s likely only going to go camping, out in the yard, lounging around the house, and helping blow insulation into our attic (which is happening later today). I’m pretty sure no one in any of those places is going to be asking me about my neckline.

As utterly ludicrous as the pink squirrels are on this sweatshirt, I seriously love that I used them on this project. Sure, maybe this is a sweatshirt your 4-year-old would wear, but I bet it makes you smile! And it definitely makes me smile when I wear it. And since it’s so comfy and warm, I’ve actually been wearing it a lot since I finished it!

Grainline Studio Linden sweatshirt

squirrel

In terms of the fit of Linden, I sewed the size 2 and next time might go down to the 0, which would still leave me with plenty of wearing ease, but for my first one I didn’t want to cut it too close. I did cut 1.5″ off the length of the sleeves and in the future would probably cut another 1″ off, plus a couple of inches on the body since I’m short. But really, no complaints at all. Linden is easy to sew, and easy to wear!

Grainline Studio Linden sweatshirt

I have to say, I really love the feeling and quality of the Organic Cotton Plus French terry. If you’re looking for a high quality fabric like this, it definitely fits the bill. I’m so pleased that I decided to sew it up into a sweatshirt. Besides Linden, I bet it would be adorable with contrasting bands too for the more fitted and vintage-inspired Enid sweater that Jennifer Lauren just released, don’t you think??

Combined with my silly squirrels, this lovely cranberry terry makes for a perfectly kitschy and cozy Linden. And because the pattern doesn’t use a lot of yardage, I actually think I have enough leftover terry to make a matching pair of sweatpants if I can find a good pattern!

Because I can’t very well just lounge around drinking champagne in my sewing area in a sweatshirt alone, right? Right.

Grainline Studio Linden sweatshirt in Organic Cotton Plus French terry

outfit details

Linden sweatshirt: made by me, main fabric courtesy of Organic Cotton Plus
jeans: Freddies of Pinewoods
1950s earrings: misc.
head scarf: misc.

(While I received the French terry fabric free from Organic Cotton Plus, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own as always!)

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Filed Under: Sewing, Vintage Wardrobe Tagged With: finished projects, organic cotton plus, reviews, sewing with knits

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nickey Robo says

    December 4, 2014 at 9:16 am

    Too cute! You should try out the True Bias Hudson sweatpants pattern, they come together quickly and their super comfy (and they have huge pockets, a big plus in my book).

    Also, I’ve been meaning to comment since your post the other day… I think we went to high school together!? I have been reading your blog for years, and seeing that photo of our former school was too funny.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      December 5, 2014 at 2:22 pm

      Thanks! The style of those pant leg is really not me, but I do like it at the top (especially with those pockets, which could easily get some squirrely trim) so I’m still considering it!

      That is so funny if you went to the same high school, what a small world!! 😀

      Reply
  2. Lisa says

    December 4, 2014 at 11:08 am

    Very cute! I thought the neckline WAS a design element until you said otherwise.

    Lisa.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      December 5, 2014 at 2:22 pm

      Thanks Lisa!

      Reply
  3. Aleksandra @ Liveaboard Takes the Suburbs says

    December 4, 2014 at 11:30 am

    I absolutely love this sweatshirt. The squirrel ribbing is perfect and I do think the neck binding can pass as a design feature.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      December 5, 2014 at 2:23 pm

      Thanks! I like the accidental neckline feature too. It’ll be our secret. 😉

      Reply
  4. Lisa @Retro Housewife Goes Green says

    December 4, 2014 at 11:51 am

    SO cute! It’s things like this that really make me want to learn to sew.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      December 5, 2014 at 2:23 pm

      Thanks Lisa! You should totally take up sewing. It opens so many doors! ;D

      Reply
  5. Angela says

    December 4, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    That is one absolutely fabulous sweatshirt!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      December 5, 2014 at 2:23 pm

      Thanks Angela!

      Reply
  6. Christine Haynes says

    December 4, 2014 at 7:56 pm

    adorable! I too have some yummy fabric earmarked for some Lindens. I think it’s the ultimate loungewear! and I concur on the love of French terry! I just made a Marianne in a striped French terry and I pretty much want to wear nothing else. I need more in my life so I will totally look at the stuff you used!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      December 5, 2014 at 2:24 pm

      Thanks Christine! And OMG I didn’t realize one of the striped Mariannes was French terry, how yummy!!

      Reply
  7. Evie Knight says

    December 4, 2014 at 10:05 pm

    This is absolutely adorable! Awesome! n_n

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      December 5, 2014 at 2:24 pm

      Thanks! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Joyce says

    December 5, 2014 at 7:11 am

    Lovely sweatshirt! I’m pleased to hear you’ve had an easy sew after the ‘Saga of the Pants’. I felt so sorry for you going through all those problems but your finished pants were worth the effort.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      December 5, 2014 at 2:25 pm

      The pants saga was such a blur I actually think I may have made this in the middle, but yes, it was nice to have an easy and satisfying project, lol!

      Reply
  9. Camilla says

    December 5, 2014 at 10:28 am

    It looks so lovely and snuggly. Love the colour very christmassy

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      December 5, 2014 at 2:25 pm

      Thanks! It’s definitely super snuggly!

      Reply
  10. Rochelle New says

    December 5, 2014 at 11:43 am

    I love this so much!! That French Terry looks uhhhh-maaazzzinnnggggg (definitely like sewing with a hug!) and I really like the shape of the Linden. Add that pattern to my list of 900 patterns I want to eventually make lol 😉

    Squirrels! I die!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      December 5, 2014 at 2:26 pm

      Yeah I was seriously not kidding when I said it was like sewing a hug! And especially as a sweatshirt! 😀

      Reply
  11. PendleStitches says

    December 5, 2014 at 11:48 am

    I have this pattern and cannot wait to sew it after the Christmas mayhem! I hope it turns out as cute as yours…sadly I won’t have squirrels!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      December 5, 2014 at 2:26 pm

      Awesome! Well even sans squirrels I’m sure it’ll be great! 😉

      Reply
  12. Miss Michelle says

    December 6, 2014 at 11:42 am

    Adorbs! I absolutely LOVE that squirrel fabric. ^_^

    Reply
  13. Maja Ćorić says

    December 8, 2014 at 7:45 am

    Tasha,
    Aside from your amazing red sweater.. I have managed to notice:
    1. your adorable nails (I suppose it’s gel nail polish, right?)
    2. the lamp – loving it.
    I’m fascinated by all things that have to do with house decorating – so my eyes are instantly drawn to them. 🙂

    Marija

    Reply

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