Casually kicking ass... In space!

Hi everyone! Just as a disclaimer: the garment I'm showing you today has been shamelessly ripped off. In fact, it's a piss-poor attempt to touch the heels of the latest Valentine collection thing. I mean, how can you look at this and not want it?

I know, right! I had a dark green sweatshirt knit in my stash and loads of different gold and silver textile paints (because of course I own loads of those) so I decided to use the Grainline Linden sweater as a base and just go loco. I finished it in time to wear on a weekend in the countryside with my family, which was amazing. We were staying near Ypres, and even though I've been there before I was just overwhelmed with the amount of history in the area. We visited Tyne Cot cemetery and Flanders Fields museum and it was just incredibly touching.

I had made this pattern once before (But not for me! Incredible!) and knew it comes together really quickly. The only thing that gave me trouble the first time was the neckband: I used self fabric and I think the sweatshirt fabric just isn't stretchy enough compared to ribbing. I had a really hard time fitting it around the neckline the first time round and decided to lengthen the pattern piece a tiny bit on this version, which definitely helped!

The neckline turned out nice and flat, no gaping anywhere. It's a super speedy sew because knits (so no seam finishes, haha). I think it took me about an hour to get it together, clumsy fumbling included.

The print was really easy, and only took a longer time because I wanted to paint both sides and had to let the whole thing dry before turning it over. I cut rough stars in different sizes out of a sturdy paper and used a soft paintbrush to stencil them on. After that I added loads of dots and finished with some glitter (which ended up all over car seats and everything during our family retreat. I am simply too impatient to heat set the paint before wearing the thing)

The sparkle doesn't really show on camera, but it looks really nice in real life! I picked the size of the dress based on my bust and hip measurements and just lengthened it straight down. I like a flared skirt on a fitted bodice or in a more drapey fabric, but add it to this relaxed fit in a structured fabric such as this and I look like a trumpet.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to my spaceship.

PS: As a bonus, here's what happens when my boyfriend tells me to 'look angry':