Butterick 5626 Basic Black Jumper

I am really into jumpers lately, which is funny since I never used to like them. But suddenly I just want to make all the jumpers! I think it was finding my old Vogue 8132 pattern that started me off.

So I went through my stash and found handful of six or seven other patterns, all older ones, that I could choose from to make another version. I had a particular piece of black stretch suiting in my stash -- it's about a denim weight and slightly stretchy -- I picked it up in Kalamazoo on my way to the Chicago PR Weekend in 2016 so I've had it for a while. It was perfect for this project!

I picked Butterick 5626, a basic jumper with a straight skirt and patch pockets. I had just enough fabric to fit View E onto; thank goodness I am short.

I didn't make many alterations -- I didn't even shorten it above the bust as I usually do. I didn't shorten at the hem either, since it would end up right at my kneecaps as designed, and that's where I like the length. Taller people will end up with a shorter, more 60s effect jumper.

After I cut it out I basted and tried on, and ended up taking 1/2" in at each underarm, grading to nothing by the side notches. I also took in 1/2" at the back centre seam as there was some gaping, although the front was fine -- strangely for me! To get the hang right I also took a 1/4" wedge at the outer shoulder and angled it down to nothing by the inner neckline edge. All these seemingly small adjustments made it look SO much better on.

I didn't cut the facings because I didn't have enough self fabric, and thought that the facing edge might show through anyhow. I finished the edges with black bias tape facing instead. And I added the patch pockets a little differently than the pattern suggested -- I lined them and topstitched them on using the technique from a recent Burda make.

Then I just took up an one inch hem and I was done. I love this! I think that I am going to get a lot of wear out of this staple. The only drawback is that it seems to be a bit of a lint attractor. So will have to watch out & carry a lint roller ;) And I think I may need to add a lining if I'm going to wear it with my heavy tights.

The only problem is that now I want to also make all the other jumper patterns that I found in my stash!

Worn with Vogue 8634 here