{"id":2857,"date":"2013-05-07T06:00:08","date_gmt":"2013-05-07T11:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/?p=2857"},"modified":"2015-06-03T11:55:22","modified_gmt":"2015-06-03T16:55:22","slug":"lekala-patterns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/lekala-patterns\/","title":{"rendered":"Knit crossover top from Lekala patterns"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Has anyone out there ever bought a pattern from <a title=\"Lekala Patterns on Craftsy\" href=\"http:\/\/www.shareasale.com\/r.cfm?u=1217208   &b=253536&m=29190&afftrack=lekala&urllink=www%2Ecraftsy%2Ecom%2Fuser%2F917455%3F%5Fct%3Dfhevybu%2Dvuut%2Dfuefbu%2Djunj%2Dxecu%26%5Fctp%3D917455\" target=\"_blank\">Lekala patterns<\/a>? \u00a0Nicole Lekala has a range of 386 patterns on her Craftsy page at the time of writing and is often adding more. \u00a0But what makes Lekala patterns unique is the promise to draft you a completely personalised pattern based on your own measurements. \u00a0This was too good an offer to pass up on so I thought I would give it a try.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2864\" style=\"width: 275px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2864\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2864 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/8004-1-1.jpeg\" alt=\"Image courtesy of Lekala Patterns\" width=\"265\" height=\"265\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/8004-1-1.jpeg 265w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/8004-1-1-150x150.jpeg 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 265px) 100vw, 265px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 265px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 265\/265;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2864\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2864\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/8004-1-1.jpeg\" alt=\"Image courtesy of Lekala Patterns\" width=\"265\" height=\"265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/8004-1-1.jpeg 265w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/8004-1-1-150x150.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 265px) 100vw, 265px\" \/><\/noscript><p id=\"caption-attachment-2864\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image courtesy of Lekala Patterns<\/p><\/div>\n<p>I picked<a title=\"Cross over wrap blouse\" href=\"http:\/\/www.shareasale.com\/r.cfm?u=1217208   &b=253536&m=29190&afftrack=lekal&urllink=www%2Ecraftsy%2Ecom%2Fpattern%2Fsewing%2Fclothing%2Fblouse%2Dyour%2Dsize%2Dsewing%2Dpattern%2D8004%2F48698\" target=\"_blank\"> this pattern<\/a> to try out &#8211;\u00a0obviously\u00a0because it was free so there was nothing to lose! \u00a0Its a cross-over front top with long sleeves designed for knit fabrics. \u00a0So how would it fit? \u00a0I sent in my measurements and the pattern came back quickly in PDF to print and piece together.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>What do you get?<\/h2>\n<p>Lekala patterns include a line drawing of the design, and an illustration of a model wearing the finished garment, but there are no photos of the blouse to see how it might really fit on an actual person. \u00a0I don't know if Nicole ever sews any of her own patterns because I have never seen a photo of any finished items. \u00a0There are also basic written instructions on how to sew your pattern, but there are no illustrations. \u00a0English is also not her native language so some of the\u00a0wording\u00a0is a little\u00a0unusual\u00a0and confusing, but if you have a simple pattern you should be fine. \u00a0How things would go with a more\u00a0complicated\u00a0sew using just the basic written\u00a0instructions, I'm not sure.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>How did it fit?<\/h2>\n<p>I made this up twice to give it a fair review. \u00a0I made the pattern straight from the pieces supplied with no alterations because it was supposed to be a personally designed and fitted pattern so I wanted to review how it fitted.<\/p>\n<p>I made the top first in a linen blend jersey knit with a two way moderate stretch. \u00a0Sadly it really was unwearable.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2861 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/etsy-for-sale-003b.jpg\" alt=\"Lekala patterns review\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/etsy-for-sale-003b.jpg 400w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/etsy-for-sale-003b-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/etsy-for-sale-003b-150x113.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 400px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 400\/300;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2861\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/etsy-for-sale-003b.jpg\" alt=\"Lekala patterns review\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/etsy-for-sale-003b.jpg 400w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/etsy-for-sale-003b-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/etsy-for-sale-003b-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>The arms and the arm holes were SO tight I could only really get it on by wiggling the fabric bit by bit. \u00a0And you can see how badly the fabric is pulling above from the arms to the shoulders where it is far too small. \u00a0It made the top gape badly and I am wearing an unpadded bra to minimise my bust where it was too small around the high bust area too. \u00a0Even with the stretch in the fabric, I couldn't really move my arms.<\/p>\n<p>It appears to fit Ok from the back,\u00a0although\u00a0I think you can probably see just how tight it is that it is actually cutting in under my arms quite painfully&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2862 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/etsy-for-sale-005b.jpg\" alt=\"Lekala patterns review\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/etsy-for-sale-005b.jpg 400w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/etsy-for-sale-005b-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/etsy-for-sale-005b-150x113.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 400px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 400\/300;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2862\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/etsy-for-sale-005b.jpg\" alt=\"Lekala patterns review\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/etsy-for-sale-005b.jpg 400w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/etsy-for-sale-005b-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/etsy-for-sale-005b-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>I did give this pattern another try using a different fabric &#8211; a much more stretchy knit with a 4-way stretch. \u00a0But although there was a lot more stretch in the fabric and I could move my arms around a little, the fit was just the same and I won't even waste time and space by posting the photos of the second attempt.<\/p>\n<p>So would I recommend Lekala patterns? \u00a0Hmm, not sure. \u00a0Obviously one failure does not mean the concept doesn't work and it would be great to look through some of those wonderful designs and think that I could have a pattern that is automatically graded if my bust, waist and hips don't fit in the usual one size range. \u00a0It would certainly mean a lot less alterations would be needed during the sewing process, and you may never need to make a muslin again &#8211; just sew, fit and finish.<\/p>\n<p>But it is of some concern that none of the patterns have any comments, star ratings or finished projects posted by the Craftsy members.<\/p>\n<p>If you have some knit fabric and fancy this pattern, it is free to download, so why not get your own personalised pattern and see how you get on. \u00a0There are some really great looking designs to choose from and at only $2.49 a pattern, its very\u00a0reasonably\u00a0priced.<\/p>\n<p>If you have ever used a Lekala pattern &#8211; how did you get on?<br \/>\nAuthored by: <a href=\"https:\/\/plus.google.com\/u\/0\/117695635189754905375?rel=author\">Deby at So Sew Easy<\/a><br \/>\n<h2>If You'd Like To Support Our Site<\/h2>\r\nIf you want to help us continue to bring you a wide selection of <a href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/free-sewing-patterns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">free sewing patterns<\/a> and projects, please consider buying us a coffee.\u00a0 We'd really, really appreciate it.\r\n\r\n<center><div class=\"ko-fi-button\" data-text=\"Buy me a coffee!\" data-color=\"#ff5f5f\" data-code=\"\" id=\"kofiShortcode442Html\" style=\"float: none; text-align: left;\"><\/div><\/center><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Has anyone out there ever bought a pattern from Lekala patterns? \u00a0Nicole Lekala has a range of 386 patterns on her Craftsy page at the time of writing and is often adding more. \u00a0But what makes Lekala patterns unique is the promise to draft you a completely personalised pattern based \u2026 <a class=\"continue-reading-link\" href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/lekala-patterns\/\"> Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr; <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2861,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","wds_primary_category":0},"categories":[5,11,8,95,4,13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2857"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2857"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2857\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":71317,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2857\/revisions\/71317"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2861"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2857"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2857"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2857"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}