I was recently sent a copy of the Jasper Sweater/Dress from Paprika Patterns. I was signed up as a potential pattern tester – but instead they offered me the pattern (for free) to review, at the time of release. The email I received was very specific that I was under no obligation to review positively and all the opinions below are my own. I also have a pattern to give away to one commenter, whom I will choose at random.
I decided to post this one as a review for the CSC, rather than on my own blog, because I feel like this is a good pattern for the curvy sewer for a number of reasons.
Firstly, this pattern is a princess-seamed sweater. Princess seams are notoriously flattering and I think they make this pattern less likely to result in a swampy oversized look. Even better, they make the Jasper easy to adjust to fit a range of body types. The different lengths offered also accommodate more body types.
Secondly, there is both a good range of sizes (I am not at the top of the size chart, which I often am for indie patterns) and, more importantly, there is great sizing information. By this, I mean helpful guidance on how to best choose your size, information on the cup size drafted for, information on the amount of ease at certain measurements, and a finished size table.
All of these factors made it much, much easier for me to confidently choose a size (I sewed between an 8 and a 9) and get straight onto sewing it with no muslin. There is also a tutorial on how to do a Full Bust Adjustment (FBA) in this garment, which is very useful given the princess seams in the design. Given the sizing and ease in this pattern, however, I didn’t actually need one, which was a welcome relief from every other pattern out there! 🙂
The pattern calls for a heavier knit with less stretch, like a classic sweatshirt fabric. I live in Sydney and would get less than a week’s wear out of such a thing, so I substituted for a mystery lighter weight knit (Spotlight…), but one that still matched the stretch requirements.
I also added accents of a light-medium weight grey ponte I had on hand.
Construction-wise, there were a couple of tricky elements in this pattern. The pockets have welts – the instructions for which detail a method that was completely new to me. I referred to the tutorial online, with its explanatory photos, and the end result was great. I also used the tutorial on matching stripes, as my fabric does essentially have a grid on it. This was mostly a success, though it took me a while to get the hang of it. There are a number of tutorials which accompany this pattern on topics like choosing fabric, picking a size, and sewing the hood.
The pattern comes with two main variations: dress or sweater length and “big collar” versus hood. I made the dress version, but then actually hacked about 6 inches off the end to make it more of a tunic length. I felt the dress was too overwhelming in the fabric I picked and that the tunic-length was more flattering on me. This was an easy alteration to make after sewing the main shell and trying it on to see where I thought it should end on my body.
My ratings are as follows:
Size Range: 3.5–4 (a reasonable range but great step through on how to choose a size plus supporting adjustment tutorials)
Instructions: 3.5 (mostly very clear – lost some points as I would have struggled a bit without the welt tutorial)
Construction Process: 4.5 (pretty straightforward and a quick sew once cut out and pockets done)
Final Fit: 4 (I didn’t like the dress length on me and it would have been even longer had I adjusted to add more for my height)
Overall: 3.8
I think this pattern is well drafted, really clear about sewing and sizing decisions, and flattering for my body type (once I took out some length). It may well suit other types. The princess seams allow a good fit to the body and the different lengths open up some options as well.
If you would like to win a copy of this pattern, comment below with what colours or patterns you would make this from and I will pick a winner at random on March 31st.
I’ve loved every version I’ve seen of this. I have a really cool slub rayon in a light moss green with accents in a green print. The rayon is light enough to do a shorter sleeve for spring and even cooler summer weather. I’d do a winter version in a black and white marbled fabric.
this looks like good step up from my beginner level sewing. hopefully the instructions are good enough for me to figure it out!
I think I’d try this in a cherry red solid. Looks like it could be an interesting addition to fall/winter sewing.
I think a two tone teal would be perfect for sitting sidelines this Spring. I love the herringbone one on the website…
What a great a pattern. I see it in a black/hot pink colour combination.
Ooh I have some lovely emerald green knit in my stash that would be perfect for this! I love that button tab detail. Thanks for the giveaway!
I would love this in red with black accents.
Teal is my colour.
Hi Suzanne! This is a rather late draw (I may have forgotten due to all the Easter chocolate…) to let you know you have won the copy of the pattern! Email me on chloe@deadlymite.com and I will pass your details onto to Lisa from Paprika Patterns! Congrats 🙂
I would make a black one with ivory trim. Or an ivory one with black trim, can’t decide! Love the harlequin print on yours though.
I can’t get the mustard color out of my head from the sample Paprika Patterns shows on their site, so I’d probably make one in that color. I tried to make a mustard dress this winter but it was a fail, so I’m due for a mustard dress!
I’d make it in blue. Two shades, with colour blocking, perhaps.
Since dying my hair a neon red-orange, I’ve been incorporating more teal into my wardrobe. I’d love something this cozy in such a wonderful complementary color!
I love this pattern, especially the strap thingy at the collar. Although spring is coming, snow in April is not uncommon where I live, so I would make a nice warm sweater in a lovely dark grey sweater fabric with white stripes.
Blue! Its my favorite color and even if a pattern needs tweaking for my body, I love the first version in blue.
This is a great review. It made me want to try this one out, though we are into spring here it will drop to the 30’s tonight. Above freezing, but only by a few degrees. I’d love to make this in a deep teal, dress length, to go with some leggings and boots.
Love your honest review. I would make this in fatigue green
I’ve liked every version of this pattern I’ve seen, including yours! I have some burgundy sweatshirt fabric in my stash that I think would be perfect for this pattern.
Yours looks lovely, almost a houndstooth pattern, which is one of my favorites. I’d make it with a heathered grey sweatshirt fabric and since your contrast black collar, band and cuffs look so good, I might use some ponte I have stashed to do the same.
I’d make it in in a dark seafoam color. Like a green leaning toward teal.
I am just learning to sew and this sounds awesome. I love this top/dress to learn with. I would try sweatshirt material in a brown and cream colour.
I’ve had my eye on this pattern, I’m glad to see how it sews up. I would have to make it in LSU (American University) colors for sure! (purple and gold Geaux Tigers!)
What a great review. I love your sew too. It suits you and looks really classy. So nice to see a fellow Aussie sewer with the same fabric dilemmas. Line anything you wear in Perth and you are liable to melt. I just went and looked at your blog and the bikie jacket looks wonderful too.
I’ve made this pattern too, and enjoyed it! https://craftingarainbow.wordpress.com/2015/02/21/jasper-dress/
Oh, and Eileen recently posted a fab version! http://craftylittlesecret.com/
Ooo! I love your version with the different centre panel! I want to make another now 🙂
Very informative review-thank you! I would make it with the hoodie in a dark grey:)
The
style really suits you. I would use a black fabric with touches of burnt orange (I have
both in my stash). Thank you for a great review.
I LOVE your review! Very detailed and hits about every point I would have asked myself. I also love your fabric choice as I think it would be flattering to most. I love the tunic length and would like to see it made up with a hood. I love the little ‘tab’ detail at the neck. Overall, I would definitely make this and think it would be a must for Fall. I have a 48″ bust so the princess seams are definitely appreciated. Thank you for your review!
I have been looking at this pattern for a while now but was concerned about the sizes. I have some knit fabric that will work. Thanks for a really good review.
I love to read reviews when the writer has some of the same fit problems. Gives me hope that I can start sewing again for myself. I’d choose a happy, sunny little knit for this.
I really like the monochrome look you’ve got going on so I think some sort of black and white pattern would be just the ticket. That or a really deep plum purple with white contrasts.
Oh, I’m glad to see your review! I’d seen the pattern but felt unsure about how it would work for more curvy ladies. I’d love to make a purple sweater dress!
Thank you for your great review! It looks like a fantastic pattern – I live in this sort of thing. I’d make it in black and grey stripe; wear it with boots and leggings.
spring green in two shades
I really like this design on you. I have a nice soft knit with a black background and yellow/white flowers. It would make a good spring into summer top. Thank-you for this give away
That actually looks like a pattern that could be made to be work appropriate, meaning I would love to sew it up!
Wow, that looks really lovely! I would make up this pattern in a nice soft burgundy jogging fabric. would love to win the pattern.
Princess Seams & casual–Yes!
I would make the no hood version in a heathered cinnamon brown
and black fleece from the stash, and modify the button tab so instead of a
square end, it would be a diagonal (and a bit longer) in solid black (same for cuffs/trim).
Then, instead of a button, I would use the tab as a lovely black background
to highlight some fun pins–e.g. not fussy but fun. I might put an
oversized snap on the back of the tab and the garment so that I would
have a no-pin wearing option too.
What a great and honest review. 🙂 I would probably make this up in a printed French terry with solid contrasts for the princess seams on the side. 🙂
I would make this in a solid navy. With a hood.
I too am very interested. I would get at least 10 months wear out of this type of sweater as up here in Canada there is a lot more winter than May places!
I have the perfect brown French terry fabric waiting.
Nice review by the way! Thanks
This would be, in my book, great in a lightweight knit for spring. possibly a muticolor
I would use dark lightweight cottons to make up for the fact you can’t really wear sweaters in north Florida. It would be perfect for Fall here.
I have never seen a princess seam hoodie – what a find! Will definitley sew this in the near future, I have several sorts of fleece and sweatshirting just waiting for a pattern like this, and in the UK I wear them year round 🙂
I would make the sweatshirt in charcoal and another in white
Oh, I would love to try this! It looks so elegant. You wrote a great review, you are making me actually want to try the FBA with a princess seam.
I love to make the hoodie. I would love it in a navy or a navy blue stripe or a white. Thanks for the review. I do not like the dress but love the top.
Really like this one, thanks for the review, I’d never have considered it without seeing a write up like this!! I’d love it in a sailor style blue and white stripe, a bit like a Joules top you’d get in the UK.
I would see it with a nice vibrant color like beet red or a cerulean blue!
I’d love to try this out with some of the french terry knits I’ve seen online! This could be lovely for chillier nights even in the summer!
Oh, I love this! And I need it–I live in tunics like these in the winter. I would make it out of a sweater knit in a jewel tone.
Yes! I was a tester for her for this one. I LOVE it. I made mine in a purple sweater knit. It is a really great pattern for curvies 😀 I’ve worn it so many times – I did it at dress/tunic length.