Bright Red Cropped Hoody - YSR, TMS October Stash Smash challenge

   

I saw Dr T's post a while ago now with this Mimi G pattern (below right). 

I quite like this pattern but what struck me most was the similarity to this free pattern from Your Style Rocks (YSR) ( below left).

 

There is a definite similarity though don't you think?

The YSR pattern has been around for ages now but the New Season Simplicity  pattern from Mimi G is new. The Mimi G pattern is Simplicity 8392.

So I recognised this pattern. Of course I have no idea who the original designer was. Maybe it was Mimi G herself.  Or maybe she was inspired by the YSR pattern. Who Knows but this YSR pattern is free, is definitely old, 2012 I think, even if this design is New Season to Simplicity.

AND I have owned it for ages. So I decided its time I made it.

As I understand it YSR were a collective who had competitions. The contestants designed an outfit to fit whatever the challenge was that season.

Then the people who used to run YSR would make and grade the patterns which you could then, and can now, at time of me writing this still  DOWNLOAD FOR FREE.
I used to visit and admire but never entered the competitios. Until now despite having downloads of most of the YSR patterns I still have not made one.


No idea why but I think there were two people behind YSR but from memory thats how it was. They did state they were not a pattern company, they just ran the site and competitions for fun. There are lots of competition entries well worth a look although the patterns were mostly never made but they are still quite a few free patterns here and going by my results with this one I shall finally get round to making the rest of them.

I really liked the Mimi G version because I currently need a sweatshirt or cardigan but am after something a bit different but that I can wear for everyday life as well as dressing up. The only sweatshirt fabric in my stash is some bright red brushed back fabric of unknown fibre.  It wears well though because I have worn these trousers regularly and they are still going:

http://brackencrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/3-lekala-free-pattern-for-sport-trousers.html

So this is a nice pattern.

This also fits in with the current October Monthly Stitch Challenge and I have been a bit quiet and missed lots of challenges recently. Since I have had the fabric for two and a half years and the pattern since 2012 its kind of a double stash buster.

So using the TMS Stash smash table: 

Stash Smash Project Points
Meters Used	1 -3 m	10 points	Chipping away
Stash Time	2-3 years	25  points	like fine wine
Preciousness		10 points	I like it but won't cry if it’s a fail
POINTS TOTAL:		45 points

The YSR version seems more elf-like than sportswear although both are really the same thing.The clasp was an inspiration. Mimi G uses a zip which could also work here although would alter the construction. The YSR version uses hook and eyes. I was thinking originally of the kind of hooks and eyes you use on fur coats because I know I have some but then I found this old belt buckle and some red velvet ribbon. Ideally it should have been sewn into the front seam but I never though about using this and did not want to risk recking this lovely top by undoing overlocked seams so I folded it over on itself to give a neat edge and used a zipper foot to sew to the inside. Not perfect by any means but I think its fine for a first attempt at this.

 I used an overlocker for most of the sewing but did the fiddly bits on the bottom from using a normal sewing machine. I stitched in the ditch along the outside shoulder seams to keep the inside facing lying down.

This is the messy inside where I used three bits of red velvet ribbon to secure my belt buckle to the front neck. It looks good and is unusual but does keep dropping open if I lean forwards. Means to wear this I must stay standing upright! 😊

In case you were wondering this magnificent creature is Emily who is a very long lived chicken. She has not laid eggs in years but who cares. She a part of the family:

She hates cameras and was about to attack here.

Thanks for visiting my blog

Bracken