Sharing my first project for the Black History Month Pattern Designers challenge (#BHMPatternDesigners), the brainchild of Nateida of Sew Natural Dane!
This sewing challenge aims to promote Black sewing, knitting, quilting and bag-making designers. You can see my projects for past years of the challenge here.
This year I was perusing the list of Black pattern designers for inspiration, a new-to-me designer caught my eye: Cover Me Chic. The designer has a handful of really unique and cool patterns, but the Haadia top pattern in particular really struck me.
The Haadia top has a relaxed batwing/dolman sleeve, a funnel/turtleneck collar, and a waist-cinching belt. The sleeves are gathered into a cuff.
It's designed for stable knits like sweatshirt fleece, french terry, sweater knits, or ponte.
For fabric, I used a designer deadstock cotton/lycra sweatshirt fleece that I purchased from LA Finch Fabrics. The beautiful soft fleece came in a vibrant candy apple red color. I think this fabric worked really well with the Haadia pattern, weight-wise.
However, I am finding that the red color of this fabric, although an objectively pretty red, is decidedly Not My Red. The color makes me look a bit sickly and grey in the face.
I tried taking these photos twice on two different days, and still got the grey coloring. I also took photos in another shirt on the same day and those were fine. But it's still so pretty! Maybe I can dye it to a better red for me...
Anyway, back to the pattern! Size-wise, the Haadia pattern goes up to a 4XL, which is a 55 inch bust, and 57 inch hip. I cut a 2XL, which worked out well.
I will say that I was a little bit confused by the size chart, finished measurements and statements about ease on the pattern. The Haadia top is described as loose fitted throughout the bust, waist and hips, with 7 inches or more of ease.
But looking at the size chart and finished measurements, there is no ease or even negative ease at the bust in the larger sizes. For example, for my size, the body measurements are for a 49-51 inch bust, and the finished bust measurement is 49 inches.
The Haadia was pretty simple to sew and came together quickly! I made a few minor derivations from the instructions, including using stretch interfacing on the belt for some structure, using D-ring in lieu of a slider buckle, and topstitching the bodice seams.
Next time I might also add some length to be able to take a deeper hem, and take a little bit of swing out of the side seams in the peplum area.
I really love my Haadia top! The general shape is just lovely, and I love the deep turtleneck. It feels like wearing an elevated sweatshirt. Very fun!
