Holiday Giveaway: Closet Core Veronik & Simone PDF Bundle
Closet Core Patterns is generously giving away a PDF Bundle: The Veronik Robe & Simone Slip lounge-ríe set, to spread some holiday cheer. This giveaway will be hosted on Instagram on my account, so look out for the post, and you may be the lucky winner of these 2 gorgeous patterns. Big thanks to Closet Core for their generosity and support!
As the holiday season was drawing closer, I suddenly got the urge to sew some luxurious, elegant but lounge-y garments to flitter and float gracefully around the house. These 2 patterns came up on my search, and while sewing them, I realised that they can be versatile enough to wear outside the home as well. I got so excited about this project that I immediately contacted Closet Core to see if they would be open to sharing some lounge-rie love with one of my followers on Instagram, and they said yes instantly.
These 2 sewing patterns can also double up as garments that you can wear to a holiday party, if sewn up in the right fabrics. Choose something shiny or with some pizazz, and they can be worn for a celebration, not just for cozying up at home.
First up is the Veronik Robe, which provides options for 2 lengths, 2 sleeve lengths (1 hemmed and 1 with a facing), and 2 types of collars: traditional or notched. I made the notched version which gives some architectural interest as it frames the collar bones in the most flattering way. In addition, I chose to make the longer, mid-calf view, with longer, hemmed sleeves. I made a size 4, based on my bust measurements, with no modifications whatsoever. As a robe, the fit is loose, so I just wanted to make sure it fits nicely at the shoulders/chest area. Like all Closet Core patterns, the pattern comes in 2 size ranges, and the largest size is 32, with a finished garment bust measurement at 72.1”.
The fabric I used is a gorgeous John Kaldor burn-out sheer polyester chiffon, which was gifted to me by Minerva as part of the Minerva Brand Ambassador Program. Gold, red, peach and lavender flora provide a striking contrast to the sheer deep blue, and this fabric will attract lingering eyes when worn in public. It was surprisingly easy to cut and sew, and was pure joy to work with.
The sewing instructions are very good, which is an expected advantage when working with a Closet Core pattern. There was only one thing I did differently, which I felt elevated the outcome for me. Instead of using fusible interfacing, I stabilised the collar band with black silk organza. And although it wasn’t required to interface the strap, I did it anyway with silk organza because I felt the chiffon needed more body if used as a strap. The main reason why I used silk organza instead of the regular fusible interfacing was because of the sheerness of the fabric. The silk looked better with the chiffon, and gave it a better feel, or hand, as well. I learned how to do this since taking lessons from Lynda Maynard online, and bought myself metres of silk organza in white and black, so that I can continue interfacing with it for future projects.
This robe, made in this fabric, is elevated and sophisticated loungewear for me compared to my usual home-y knitwear, but it’s just as comfortable. It also serves as a fun statement layering piece when worn outside the home. And it is a fantastic beach cover-up. I wore it pool-side when I went for a swim. It’s perfection worn 3-ways, so I give it top scores for versatility.
The Simone Slip is just as versatile since it can be sleepwear or evening wear, and the shorter versions serve as fantastic undergarments to accompany whatever you want to wear on top of them. The camisole version goes with a jacket or blazer, and the above-the-knee version can be worn under sheer dresses.
I made the longest version, with the low-cut back, which comes with long, adjustable tie-on straps. There is a higher back version if you need more coverage, and rings and sliders can be installed with the rouleau straps so that they can be adjusted as well. This slip has a low-cut V-neck in the front, and there’s the option for lace inserts for more bust coverage.
The Simone Slip is cut entirely on the bias and the instructions are stellar on how to do this. The PDF pattern is made so that all the pattern pieces are cut on a single layer, and there’s great guidance on how to orient the paper pattern on fabric properly for cutting; and how to stitch up seams that are cut on the diagonal. There is also some waiting time to factor in whenever you are sewing a bias cut garment, because the fabric pieces/garment need to be hung for a day or two before sewing or hemming. All this was explained very well, and it made me feel at ease when approaching techniques that I am not very familiar with.
I made a size 6 this time because I wanted more room at the hips. Next time, I may grade from a 4 at the bust to a 6 at the hips because it is just a tad oversized at the chest area. However, if I play around with the adjustable straps, then I manage to tie it at that perfect place where it fits quite well overall.
I highly recommend these 2 patterns, and you now have a chance to be the lucky winner of this PDF pattern bundle. All you have to do is to go to my Instagram post in order to enter the holiday giveaway, and make sure you do the following.
Rules to enter:
Follow Closet Core Patterns (handle: @closetcorepatterns) and my account (handle: @geri_in_stitches)on Instagram
Like the post
Leave a comment, sharing your favourite Closet Core pattern. It can be a pattern that you’ve made, or not.
This giveaway is open internationally, and the result will be posted on December 26 via Instagram stories. This giveaway is not associated with Instagram.
Big thanks to Closet Core Patterns for this wonderful gift, best of luck to all who are entering the giveaway. Happy Holidays!