Comfort Capsule Building: Cocoon Cardigan, Santa Fe Dolman, and Hudson Joggers

I have had a lot going on lately, and it seems the last thing I want to sew are complicated garments… That’s EXACTLY how my comfort capsule was born!  One sweater, two top patterns, and two pairs of pants…

While I haven’t finished everything in my plans, I did want to share what I had gotten accomplished so far.  The sweater, one top, and one pair of joggers.

My completed set includes a comfy sweater (Patterns for Pirates Cocoon Cardigan), a drapey knit top (Hey June Santa Fe Dolman), and a comfortable pair of pants (True Bias Hudson Joggers).  Each of these patterns are worth every penny alone — and are even better together!

Let’s start with the Cocoon Cardigan!  I already own the Mouse House Julia Cardigan – and admittedly – have not gotten the chance to sew it!  However, when this pattern came out – I secretly knew it would enter my stash (I just didn’t know that I would print it out the same day and sew it soon thereafter – SOOO easy!)….

I completed My Pattern Adjustments (including taking a 1/2″ throughout the armscye that continued through the sleeve) – and am still on the fence about whether that was the right decision – I love a fitted sleeve; but this sleeve would not allow me to wear anything but a short sleeve under it.  In a drapey rayon lycra or a double brushed poly, it probably would have been a good move, but in this relatively structured oatmeal french terry from Sincerely Rylee – it probably was too much (though I like it this way, and will likely make another with similar dimensions, lol).

The pocket is one of my favorite features – I even love how Judy (the pattern designer) highlighted adding a small triangle to her pockets when she top stitches – I think its GORGEOUS and had to add it to my own version as well!

Underneath that lovely sweater is my Santa Fe Dolman top – I have had this pattern for a while, and have NO IDEA why it took me this long to use it!  Its easy and the drape is phenomenal (assuming you use the right fabric).  I did my standard armscye adjustment (taking out 1/2″), however I did not take an additional 1.5″ off at the waist – and I think I actually like the length.  This rayon spandex is from a small shop here in Alexandria, VA – Stitch, Sew, Shop – and is GLORIOUS!  A good weight, and really nice to sew.  You can see that the neckline is finished with the binding turned to the outside.  This is the first time I have done this – but I really do love it.  I probably needed to bring in the neckline some so my underthings don’t show, but will try that for another version on another day.  I left the hem raw (this is an option in the pattern) – but I did rethread my serger tails into the seam like a good seamstress.  Between the raw hem, and not reducing any at the waist – I would say that this top should TECHNICALLY hit ~2 inches higher than it is…

Last – but certainly not least, I made a pair of joggers!  These are the True Bias Hudsons – and I did not make any adjustments to the pattern, with the exception of adding grommets to the waistline (my buttonhole game is not tight at ALL) and adding another 4.5″ to the length on the pockets (and then truing the pockets).  Oh – and honestly – I REALLY should add a drawstring (lazy, lazy, lazy, Mac!)

I ended up leaving the length alone – though with a standard 28″ inseam — I KNEW I should have extended the length.  While I may only be 5’2.5″ – all my height is in my legs.  I don’t think I got a single full length shot, but these are basically ankle pants…  If you are looking for something longer – pay attention to the inseam length.

Comfort is where it’s at these days – what comfortable makes do you have going right now?  This is DEFINITELY a big change from all the work wear I’ve been creating!