Lisse Petal Cowl

A couple of weeks ago I made my boys Elevation Hoodies from Terra's Treasures*.  Knowing that a men's version would be coming out for my Husband, I decided I wanted also wanted a hoodie!  In my quest to start using both patterns and fabric from my existing stash, whilst being true to the 'girly' me which is only recently emerging again after getting lost in maternity and 'Mummy' clothes a few years ago, I found I had bought the Lisse Cowl and Hoodie* pattern during the black friday sales in November! I'd seen several of these about and had always been drawn to it as my style but not had the time or fabric to make it before.  

Pattern Details

So this pattern is also from Terra's Treasures* and comes as a 60 page layered PDF file.  It covers sizes XXS to 3XL (31-51.5") which are all marked with different colours and line style for easy printing and ink saving and is designed for thicker knit fabrics with 35% stretch such as sweatshirt fleece, French terry and fleece.  You will also need some ribbing for the cuffs, 2 eyelets, a tiny bit of interfacing and cord for a drawstring if choosing that option.  

There are photos included of every step and also a sew-along available here* for further visuals and different wording! The instructions in the PDF have photos with each step and different sections for the different parts clearly marked, a cutting layout and guide on how to do bust adjustments are also included.  The pattern also includes different cut lines on the top bodice pattern part for short or long torso and small or larger bust. There are choices of standard or thumb-hole cuffs a choice of a hood or a cowl neck and the ability to add drawstring cords if wanted.  Instructions are not given in this file for making your own drawstring cord but if you have the Elevation hoodie pattern you could use those to make your cord coordinated.  

​It requires 40 pages printed for the pattern and putting together is very straightforward no-trim for US letter paper.  Printing on A4 needed a bit more thought and assembly took a little while to match perfectly although still went together with all the lines matching in the end.

My Version

I made the XXS with short torso length bodice and no adjustments other than that I chose to line the cowl.  To do this I simply cut off the top 7/8's of an inch from the pattern piece for the cowl and sewed the lining and the outer together with right sides together, the opened up and matched the side raw edges to complete the circular cowl piece.  I then top stitched the top edge 1" in to make the drawstring channel, then proceed as per the instructions to finish the garment. 

I used 1m of tubular sweatshirt fleece (2 metres wide when cut open and laid flat) and scraps of cotton jersey left over from other projects (Easy Tee and Merryweather) I was intending to do the entire thing in the pink sweatshirt fleece and pink ribbing cuffs but due to a flaw on the fabric and a cutting mistake on my part I ran out and had to use some grey sweatshirt fleece topped with cotton jersey for the front under petal.  I am actually really glad I did as I love the result it has given, especially when the cowl is rolled down to show the matching lining! 

I left off the cords on this one as I haven't been able to find where I put my eyelets but have left enough of the cowl lining unstitched to the bodice so I can go back and add them if I choose to when I find them!

It took me about 4.5 hours from printing to finished to make this but would have been a little quicker if I hadn't made the cutting mistakes!

How does it fit?

For being straight from the pattern it fits really well, I am happy with the fit as it is but I need to look at the cuff width when not using ribbing for them as they are a little sung in this fabric.  Getting the hoodie on and off is plenty easy enough and its very comfortable to wear whilst still looking very feminine.   I would like to look at the pleats on the front 'petal' as I'm not sure they sit in the perfect place for me with the one nearest the side seam sticking out a little rather than sitting flush.

The Verdict!

I love the fit and femininity of this hoodie and with it being so comfortable I can wear this even when running around after my 2 boys in a soft play or at the woods, in fact,  I plan on making several of these to wear with jeans for just that purpose.  I would like to try the hooded version even though I don't ever wear the hood because I like the look of the asymmetric drawstring cords but I might have a play when I get a chance and see if I can combine the two options to make a cowl with those instead

Pattern - Lisse Hoodie and Cowl*
Jeans Pattern - Birkin Flares
Fabric - Sweatshirt Fleece and Cotton jersey

Affiliate links included throughout this post marked with an asterisk '*' it costs you nothing extra but means I get a few cent's if you buy the pattern after clicking through.  I would love it if you could use them if this post has inspired you but feel free to navigate there yourself if you prefer! Thanks, Sarah