The Truly Flexible Lex: March Pattern Release From Seamwork

The Lex sweatshirt is a really quick sew. It is perfect for beginning sewers or as a palette cleanser for experienced sewers. I made my Lex in less than a couple of hours from cutting out the fabric to finishing touches. As usual Seamwork has created an easy to follow pattern that effortlessly sews together.

The Lex sweatshirt will boost your mood while you sew it and as you wear it. It has an oversized fit, dropped shoulders, and an optional kangaroo pocket with a binding at the openings. Seamwork suggests having fun with the fabric for this sweatshirt and that is exactly what I did.

As Lex is an oversize sweatshirt design with plenty of ease, I sewed up a Size 12. The lace knit that I used has a delicate involved pattern so I decided to use only the basic elements of the Lex pattern. The fabric was definitely too delicate to incorporate the front pocket so I kept the front plain. But... my adaptations didn't stop there. I added 6" to the length of the sleeve; 2" more than usual, and eliminated the use of a cuff. For a bit of detail I gathered the sleeve at the cuff with 3 rows of shirring. I roll hemmed the edge of the sleeve in keeping with the more delicate nature of the knit. I used the same fabric cut across the grain for the neckband. This allowed for the best stretch to keep it flat and make it easier to stitch. I think these sleeve adaptations added yet another design element to this already flexible pattern.

I pattern matched the front and back bodice simply by lining the bottom point of the underarm up with the same row of the pattern. Then added my prerequisite 3" to the length of the bodice pieces. I did not add the waist band ribbing because I really liked the scalloped edge of the selvage and kept that as the finishing detail instead. So my Lex really is completely adapted; I let the fabric dictate how I designed it. The great thing about the Lex pattern is that the basic design is so simple and straight forward you can play around with how you sew it together. The extra time you spend goes into the design elements not a complicated pattern. This is what makes it such a creative make.

It was fun to combine the two patterns for March into one outfit. I love having separates that work together or stand alone as part of my seasonal wardrobe. This Lex sweatshirt is a perfect addition to my Bud Shacket "suit" which you can read all about here. I highly recommend both of these patterns as basics for a spring capsule wardrobe that will be versatile, fun and creatively coordinated together.

After all.... There is Sew Much To Design

Happy Spring Wardrobe Sewing,

Lou Sheffer

• Sweaters and Sweat Tops