In September last year, just before we left for our big overseas family holiday, I was in the city and I popped into Tessuti.  In my eyes, no city visit is complete without spending some quality time in Tessuti!  The lovely Lisa greeted me and asked if I’d come in for the Liberty fleece.  She received a combination of a questioning and puzzled look as I was a little bit behind in my Instagram feed that morning and had missed that the Melbourne store had received three designer end rolls of Liberty fleece.

My love of Liberty is no secret, and although I’m not really a fleece or sweatshirt kind of girl, I snapped up two colourways. But what to make? I stashed the fabric, went on holidays, the weathered warmed up, it cooled down again and then pattern inspiration struck.

Believe it or not, this is the Jewel-Neck Jacket with Bow (Pattern D) from Casual Sweet Clothes: Favourite Pieces for Every Day by Noriko Sasahara. Yes, it’s the same pattern that I recently made an unlined Japanese cotton jacket from.

So how did I make a jumper from a jacket pattern?  The changes were relatively simple:

• I cut the centre front on the fold (after checking it would go over my head!) and skimmed past the ‘jewel neck’ detail to round out the front neck
• I also ‘filled in’ the missing hem section at the centre front where the facings are usually joined
• I eliminated all facings
• I finished the neckline with woven Liberty bias binding
• To reduce bulk, I overlocked all the raw edges of each pattern piece so I could press them open after sewing

One of my favourite things about this pattern is how beautifully the shoulders fit.  The secret of course is the two piece sleeve.

To keep the Liberty theme going I bound the hems in woven Liberty bias binding.  I always cut extra binding when making Liberty garments and it’s times like these when it comes in handy.  I love that you see a hint of pink inside the sleeves when I’m on the move or waving/flapping my arms around.

This is one of those cases where my vision was matched by the finished garment and I couldn’t be happier and cosier in my new Liberty fleece jumper.  Melbourne winter… I’ve got you covered!

Pattern:  Jewel-Neck Jacket with Bow (Pattern D) from Casual Sweet Clothes: Favourite Pieces for Every Day by Noriko Sasahara
Size:  Medium
Fabric:  Liberty fleece from Tessuti (purchased in September 2014)
Alterations:  Pattern adjusted to make a jumper from a jacket.  See bullet points above.
Accessories:  Uimi Indiana Scarf purchased from A Quirk of Fate