Patterns For Pirates – Slim Fit Raglan & Veronica Mars

Were you a Veronica Mars fan back in the 2000’s? I somehow didn’t know about this show, maybe because in 2004 I was 22 and too busy out partying with my friends to pay attention to the TV. I actually discovered the show on Netflix a few years ago. I loved it instantly and started bingwatching it (how else do you watch series on Netflix?!). A little while after I finished it (and then starting watching it again because I’m a total Marshmallow) I heard there was a Kickstarter happening to raise funds for a movie. I instantly donated and crossed my fingers. It actually broke records how fast it got funded. Anyways, I got a free tshirt out of the deal but I hated how it fit. It was a typical huge men’s large baggy tshirt. I did love the super soft fabric and wanted to represent, so I had to chop it up and make something wearable. Here’s the before:

Not too flattering, huh? I outgrew my baggy tshirt days right after high school, when I discovered that slim fitting clothes were much more flattering. So enter the Slim Fit Raglan by Patterns For Pirates:

I think it looks a million times better! If you’ve been checking out my #mmmay16 garments you have already seen all 3 of my Slim Fit Raglans. I kept saying I was going to blog about them and FINALLY – here they are!

At the time of making this my measurements were 36-30-39 and length (from armpit to natural waist) was 9″. This put me as a medium-large-medium in P4P. All of her patterns I use the M-L-M but on this one I did straight medium because my fabric was so stretchy (50% or more). I also typically add at least 1″ to P4P patterns but my friend Biz had already made this and told me it is really long and I wouldn’t need it. She was right, because it’s already the perfect length. Any longer and it would look like a dress – or nightgown!

The second one I made is from black spandex knit made of rayon from JoAnns. I LOVE this fabric and have bought probably 10 yards total. It’s so soft and extra stretchy. I love making the baby clothes from it too.

For both the black one and Veronica Mars one I used the 3/4 length sleeve and curved hem options. On the VM one I actually hemmed the bottom properly but for the black one I just serged the bottom hem. I think it looks good, so yay for lazy!

The last one I made was from a sweater knit that I had in my stash from Hancock Fabrics (R.I.P.). It felt stretchy before sewing with it, but once I was finished it wasn’t as stretchy as I needed it to be. I should have sized up at least 1-2 sizes. I ended up putting this in the closet and thinking I would never wear it again. Along came #mmmay16 and I busted it out. I dunno if I lost weight or it just stretched out some but it fit a lot better and I love how warm it kept me on those cold May days (because that’s Ohio for you)

For this one I did the full length sleeve and banded bottom option. When I make this version again I will be adding length to the sleeves for sure.

Overall, amazing pattern – go get it if you don’t already have it! I used to only sew fun things but soon realized I don’t wear those as often. I typically like to wear tank tops or tshirts with a hoodie and jeans. I know blogging about basics isn’t nearly as exciting for the reader or as glamorous but truth-be-told, we all need to sew ourselves some basics from time to time! Plus these knit basics sew up incredibly fast!