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Thursday 13 October 2016

Review Knipmode November 2016



Knipmode delivery day is always a happy day Chez Foxgloves. The magazine usually arrives around 10 am on a Saturday. Perfect time to curl up in a chair with a cup of coffee and do some daydreaming about new additions to the sewing queue. Not this Saturday though. When the mailman passed our home without stopping by I felt like a three year old whose balloon just popped.

Late in the afternoon a neighbour made my day by handing me the Knipmode that was wrongly delivered at her house. Maybe it was all for the best, cause ending up by the first wood fire of the season with a glass of wine put me in the perfect mindset for a magazine filled with loungewear, jackets and warm coats!

Over summer I didn't review all issues, but by popular request I will resume this series. So grab a drink and let's see!

Pattern overview Knipmode November 2016

The magazine opens with a collection in lace styled for everyday wear as well as party wear. Lace bomberjacket #8 is clearly a versatile piece as it  looks good with  jeans as well as over dress #25.
I'm not completely sold on the white top with the bell-ish sleeves. Just not bold enough. Elsewhere this top is pictured made in tweed with teeny tiny 1 cm fringe along the hem and sleeves. You can see the potential, but again, not enough design detail to make an impact. Exaggerate the sleeves and go wild on the fringe and you'll have a pretty party top.




The loungewear collection contains hooded cardigans, jogging pants, sweatshirts an asymmetric skirt and a onesie.



By the way, did you all read this great article by Mary Danielson Perry at the Curvy Sewing Collective blog? Mary classifies Knipmode patterns as Love them, Like them, Meh and WTF. For me a onesie falls definitely in the latter category, although in the past I had to adjust my initial reaction to a pattern more than once. Well, at least when I suddenly feel the urge to sew a onesie I will know where to find a pattern. Or not, as it will be a clear sign I've lost my marbles.
But, to each her own!

I write these reviews from my personal point of view and I'm well aware of the fact that Knipmode's designers have to come up with monthly collections that appeal to 42000 readers of different ages and sizes. A big no for me can be the dream pattern for one of my daughters, or my mom!


Here's another version of the lace bomberjacket in a double faced knit with faux leather sleeves.

What more have we got?

 A trendy collection with interesting use of geometric fabrics.



Lovely degrade print fabric for a shirt dress (#12), based on the same pattern as button down shirt #13


Love the use of colour, but those princess seams with release pleats at the bust look a bit odd. Not a flattering fit for the model either.

In the new monthly feature Readers Request a fun fur coat in the style of designer Dries van Noten is designed for a 20 year old student of the Amsterdam Fashion Institute.



The same coat is translated to a more classic look and made in a beautiful boucle with a plaid pattern in faux fur.


Looking at the line drawing it's not hard to imagine how a more conservative dresser could make this coat in camel or navy and wear it with a classic scarf.

New patterns added as pdf to the webshop:



Finally, I just mentioned the new Reader Request feature. In fact, it's the return of a popular feature from the past. In 1998 my twelve year old daughter wrote a letter to Knipmode, asking for extra tall teen patterns. Knipmode designed a jacket and a pair of pants for her. She had a wonderful time at the photoshoot and wore her jacket day and night until she outgrew it. Cute, right?





Speaking of teens. If there's a teen in your life interested in sewing, take a look at the new platform www.knipgirls.nl where girls aged 8-15 show DIY tutorials. Also on Instagram: @knipgirls

Well, other than last year this November issue did not contain many party dresses for the holiday season. The December sneak peek promises iconic little black dresses, so I'm already looking forward to the next issue. I 'll keep a close eye on the mailman's moves!

Disclaimer: this review contains no affiliate links. I paid for my copy and all opinions are my own. Photocredits: Knipmode


Sunday 9 October 2016

A Concord tee nightgown


Do you know the feeling? A to-sew list as long as your arm and not knowing where to start?

After finishing my butterfly dress we got an unexpectedly warm and sunny September and I enjoyed every minute of it. Fall sewing seemed so far away! Planning wasn't helped by the fact that my favourite fabric sellers were struggling with our weird summer as well. During the cold and rainy months of June, July and most of August fabric sales dropped dramatically and sellers got stuck with way too much stock. So instead of bringing their autumn fabric collection after the holidays they prolonged the summer sale. Long story short, I ended up buying summer fabrics in October.

One of those fabrics was a very soft viscose jersey. Just perfect for sleepwear! I had just tossed a very cozy nightgown and wanted to make something similar. When you're not inspired to sew anything seasonal sewing loungewear is always an option!

 I started with the pattern pieces of the Cashmerette Concord t-shirt as I knew the fit was just right at the shoulders and bust.


I used the traced pattern pieces of  this v-neck shirt. I cut the front and back bodice at 11 cm below the armscye and drafted an A-line skirt of 65 cm long and approximately 75 cm width at the hem. The sleeves were lengthened by 12 cm. 

The bodice of the nightie is self lined and instead of a neckband I used pink lingerie elastic to get a pretty finish. 

Hand basted to check the fit before adding the lining


The simple design element added to this nightgown consists of two ties at center front, one on the inside and one the outside, sandwiched in while sewing the empire waist seam.


When tied they immediately take the v-neck into va-va-voom territory!



Just as well this last picture is a bit blurry. No need to embarrass the internet ;)




Good night!