Friday, November 20th, 2009
A free pattern as a gift to you
ORIGAMI wrap sweater
Thank you all for your sweet comments and emails about HANDCRAFT and to those of you who purchased something in my shop yesterday. It was a fun collection to put together and I’m so glad you liked it.
And now, as promised, I have a gift for you. There were a few things I had planned on for the HANDCRAFT collection that didn’t get realized. One of them was this wrap you see here, which was inspired by origami folding and the cocoon poncho I made for my last holiday collection. Since it didn’t make it into the collection I thought as a gift to you I would offer it as a free pattern. That way you can make one for yourself or for gifts for the holidays. It is super simple to make, even if you don’t have many sewing skills or even a sewing machine. Really. There are 3 seams that are quite short and can be sewn by hand. The most complex thing is figuring out the folding - just like in origami:)
added: I have already had a few questions about fabric. This is for a knit fabric. I used a mid-weight knit that is very drapey without a whole lot of stretch. I think it would work with a variety of knits, from t-shirt weight to something as heavy as a fleece. The weight/thickness and also stretch of your fabric will effect the size so do pin it together before sewing and try it on. In a lighter fabric or more stretchy fabric will make the fit bigger and looser, heavier/less stretch will make it fit closer.
So here it is as a downloadable PDF file. There are two pages, one with photos and instructions and one with some diagrams. Just click on the pages below and it should start the download (each page has to be downloaded separately).
Please let me know if you have questions -I think the diagram looks complex at first, but once you start working with the fabric directly it will make sense. If you make it, I would love to see photos. Maybe if there are a few people who do, I’ll start a flickr group. Oh, and one more little thing: this is a free pattern, and you are welcome to give it out freely to anyone who might like it. But please don’t sell it, or make garments from it to sell.
Thank you all again and enjoy!
ORIGAMI wrap pattern - click on pattern to download
ORIGAMI wrap diagrams - click on diagrams to download
on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 7:23 am:
Thank you!! This looks like a great project to try — once the kitchen table is really cleared!
Thank you again!
on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 7:52 am:
Looks lovely Martha. Do you give a fabric recommendation in the pattern?
on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 8:18 am:
Thanks so much for this Martha. I was stumped about what to give one of my best friends for Christmas, and I think you might have just solved my problem!
on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 8:25 am:
this was making my brain hurt until i took a kleenex and a stapler and made a mini-wrap. now i get it! and i will make a real one soon, thank you!
on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 8:40 am:
i just love this… can’t wait to try it!
i was also wondering about fabric… i see that it says knit but wondered if you had any other words of guidance? i am such a beginner in the world of knits and a little nervous
xo
on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 8:54 am:
I’m so glad you like it!
I added a note about fabric to the post.
on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 9:08 am:
Wow. I like looking at the diagram. Perhaps I’ll pass this one along to my mom, I think she’d really like it. Thanks Martha, happy weekend!
on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 9:13 am:
LOVE it! Thank you so much, Martha! I am going to pick up some knit today and this will be my sewing project for the weekend. Can’t wait for my HANDCRAFT goodies to arrive!!
on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 9:16 am:
oh my gosh! I *love* it! Now I know what I can make on our first “no soccer” weekend, which starts at dinner time tonight! xo
on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 9:54 am:
Thank you so much for sharing your creative ideas! I will definately try this.
on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 10:23 am:
really excited…
on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 10:46 am:
Well, the good news is that if I make one of these for my sister, I’ll be able to make one for myself out of the left over fabric. The bad news is I just tried to follow your directions with paper and a stapler (because I’m at the office) and I totally don’t get it. Maybe I’ll try again at home with a scrap of fabric.
on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 12:11 pm:
what a great gift!
Thanks, M.
Have a great thanksgiving!
xo
z
on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 1:25 pm:
This is SO fabulous, Martha, thank you.
Your whole getup here is pretty much how I want to dress all the time!
on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 1:35 pm:
that is awesome, Martha! I like these types of sweaters. so cozy.
on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 2:07 pm:
Martha, thank you. I am the one who doesn’t know who to use a sewing machine. However, I am excited with the thought of making it someday in the future.
on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 9:41 pm:
i’m going to need a remedial tutorial to do this. but i really really want to do it! it’s wonderful!
on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 3:23 pm:
it’s like a snuggie, only a billion times better. i am so making myself one.
on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 9:58 pm:
so very very cool, thank you!!!
on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 2:38 am:
WOW Martha…..thanks…I hope I can swing it.
on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 8:40 am:
Wow, it’s absolutely lovely! I wonder if I can actually make it– it’s totally worth it so I really want to try.
Thank you so much for making the pattern free!
on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 10:23 am:
Looks just like the thing I need… thanks, I´m going to give it a try… like your colours, too (being a grey person myself…)
on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 12:09 pm:
Thanks! This looks so lovely!
on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 2:46 pm:
Thank you so much for the pattern. I’m a long time and very happy reader of your blog.
on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 3:08 pm:
I’ve been studying the direction and diagrams for a while, and I think I’ve got it. I hope to be making one soon.
THank you so much for spending the time to write this up for us.
on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 4:53 pm:
gorgeous, martha! thank you so much!
on Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 at 8:27 am:
great! thanks!
on Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 at 2:50 pm:
Wow, this is just gorgeous! I’m so glad I clicked over from WhipUp. I’m in love! Thank you so much! I’ll be linking as well.
on Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 6:46 am:
Lovely..thank you for gifting it…
on Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 1:47 pm:
Many thanks for your pattern, i’m going to make this for myself to wear this christmas! greetings from the netherlands
on Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 7:27 pm:
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! XXxx.
on Saturday, November 28th, 2009 at 5:15 am:
I couldn’t understand pat tern and I didn’t have enough fabric so I made something inspired by your origami project. You can see it here
on Saturday, November 28th, 2009 at 9:49 am:
This is brilliant! I love it. I love it! I deserve it! Thank you!
on Monday, November 30th, 2009 at 1:10 pm:
I like or better love it. Only I couln’t understand the pattern. Is there somebody from the Netherlands who can help me???
on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 4:25 pm:
I especially like the back. Wouldn’t this be a great gift? Well, the pattern itself is a great present. Thank you very much.
on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 12:41 pm:
I made one, and I don’t get why we have to make the triangle and fold it over. Why not just align the bottom edge with the sleeve edges and sew? Am I missing something?
on Monday, December 7th, 2009 at 4:05 pm:
Loved this pattern, and thank you. Made one for my daughter for a gift. Now then, what about those who are not such a small size? Would you suggest how to enlarge this for a 3x/4x size woman? I notice that the 84.x28 is a 3/1 ratio, will that work on any size enlargement (example: 108/36). I need a quick gift for a friend. Prefer to make in fleece.
on Monday, December 7th, 2009 at 4:11 pm:
Loved the pattern and thank you. Made one for my daughter out of fleece as a gift. Now then, I need a gift for a friend who wears a 3x/4x. Would you make suggestions as to how to enlarge. I notice that the 84/28 is a 3/1 ratio. Will that same ratio work on any size, such as enlarging to a 108/36 - and how long should the seams be? I would appreciate any help.
on Sunday, December 13th, 2009 at 12:15 pm:
Veronica, I enlarged it for a 2x woman. It doesn’t need to be enlarged with the same ratio, because larger women aren’t necessarily taller. Increasing the length of the fabric will increase the width of the garment. Increasing the width of the fabric will increase the length of the garment.
on Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 at 4:58 pm:
can’t wait to try it. thanks!
on Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at 9:15 pm:
Thank you so much! I made one in a nice olive green, It made a great Sunday afternoon project.