PATTERN REVIEW: FS AKIRA Set in Patchwork Midweight Linen
FS AKIRA Made with FS Midweight Fabric
I was looking for a way to start this pattern review but the truth is, I will not beat around the bush and simply say: The AKIRA collection is a must-have in every handmade wardrobe!
This pattern bundle includes a belted wrap top and a tie-front cardigan as well as an elasticized drawstring waist pant. All three patterns are loose fitting but not too oversized which I highly appreciate. I think the ease is the perfect equation between comfort and elegance which makes this collection very versatile. Before starting this project, I could easily picture myself wearing an AKIRA set either at home, enjoying a warm and cozy moment with a cup of tea, or outside for a beautiful layered outfit.
I chose to make the cardigan as I love the tie closure, but also the shape of the pockets. I opted for the short version – which turned out to be the perfect length for my height (1,60m). In addition, I sewed the AKIRA pant and to my great surprise, this pattern has a high try-n-true pattern potential! The pant shape can seem pretty basic but it fits very well and is a fast make, bingo!
In terms of sizing, I made a straight size 18 for the cardigan and size 20 for the pant and they fit perfectly.
FS AKIRA Made with FS Midweight Fabric
Let’s talk about my creative process now. I’m clearly a think-before-you-act kind of person and I knew I wanted to make something special with this set. At this point, I had already planned to make two more pattern reviews with FS and I was conscious I would certainly have some fabric leftovers. Coincidentally, I also had saved a ton of patchworked/quilted garment pictures so I realized I needed to make my own patchworked AKIRA Cardigan! About the pant, I wanted to stay simple yet effective and decided to make it plain in FS SAND Midweight Linen.
I started drawing the cardigan as a base on my Ipad then added lines to create some kind of puzzle. (I’ll post the drawing process video on my Instagram) Then it was time for the fun part, coloring! I picked up my colors first and decided to use as leftovers the FS KENYA Midweight Linen from my Papao pant featured in my CBY interview, the FS GINGER Midweight Linen from my RIVA pant pattern review, the FS SPHINX Midweight Linen from the HANA top pattern review and of course the FS SAND Midweight Linen from the pant.
I also chose to add some orange and warm white accents and ordered 1 inch of FS SANGUINE Midweight Linen and FS PRISTINE Midweight Linen.
After cutting my cardigan pattern, I literally puzzled the front, back, neckline and pockets pattern pieces following my drawing and trust me it was a lot of work. Don’t forget to add seam allowances when tracing the shapes, it will save you time! Cutting the fabric with all these different shapes (more than 50…) was also overwhelming but hereafter it was just child’s play. Piecing together all the colors was so much fun and very exciting! Pressing every seam was also so satisfying, I loved the back side but at this time I told myself that I would need to line the cardigan to make a clean finish and why not, make it reversible!
FS AKIRA Made with FS Midweight Fabric
For the purpose to make the Akira cardigan reversible, you need to cut another 2 front pieces, 1 back piece, 2 pockets and only 1 tie. To sew the lining you just have to follow the instructions – that are very well explained as always with fabrics-store patterns – it is exactly the same process as the cardigan itself. You may wonder why you only need to cut 1 tie, that’s because the lining only requires the one sewed behind the pocket – you’ll use the tie sewed in between the neckline to close the cardigan.
In order to attach the lining to the cardigan, you will first sew the cuffs, right sides together and my best advice would be to carefully pin before, so that you won’t make any mistakes! Then you will need to sew the lining and the cardigan at the hem before turning the garment inside out and press well. I finished the neckline simply by following the instructions, but decided to hand stitch at the last step for a clean finish.
The AKIRA set is perfect for a beginner sewist as both cardigan and pant are easy projects but they are also ideal for experimenting with fabrics. You can either patchwork as I did, dye your fabric, paint it or make a quilted version – that would be exquisite – the AKIRA cardi or the wrap top are like a blank canvas waiting for you to express your creativity.
FS AKIRA Made with FS Midweight Fabric
My reversible AKIRA cardigan is even more versatile now, with a bold side full of warm colors and another one a little bit wiser but with a colorful neckline. I did not modify the sleeve hem lengths so the sleeves were a little bit too long for my taste but then I rolled the sleeves and felt in love with the colors popping from the underside of the cardi! I’m so happy with the result and was so delighted to take the set with me on holiday. I’m now enjoying wearing these garments as loungewear while waiting for the weather to warm up in Paris.
About Author
Pauline Sarwan
I’m a multi-cultural French girl born, raised and still living in Paris. In the daytime I’m a leatherworker in a luxury brand but right after work I become a passionate home sewist. I studied fashion and learn to sew a long time ago but only started to sew for myself last year and it’s liberating! You can follow all my sewing adventures on instagram at @the.casual.sewingLeave a comment
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13 Comments
Janet Conery
What a lovely garment! I’ve been saving my scraps, and you have inspired me to create something new. I’m so glad you started to sew for yourself again, and I’m excited to see what you come up with next.
Christina Pikas
I’m so impressed you cut all of the pieces to exact size. I probably would have sewn them all together and then cut the pattern from that (which would be more wasteful). Such a great result, too.
Cynthia Godbout
I love the patchwork idea. I did not have enough material to do both the pants and top but now your creativity has got me motivated to try something similar. Thank you so much.
Susan Donze
This is such a fun, flattering result! Well done!
Pauline Sarwan
Thank you Susan!
Elizabeth Horst
This looks great on you and you did a super job piecing all those colors in such an arty way. Love it. Very sophisticated and smart.
Pauline Sarwan
Thank you so much Elizabeth! It was so much fun playing with those colors, it would have been a shame to leave them in a scrap bin!
Jerilyn Winstead
Love this – so inspirational – thank you!
Pauline Sarwan
Thank you so much Jerilyn!
Corinne Skulmoski
Outstanding Pauline! I love the balance of your color choices, the placing of the different sizes & your very tidy sewing. These are not easy to do, a lot of planning & shuffling went into this. Love your pictures & how stylish you look!
Pauline Sarwan
Thank you for your words Corinne! Yes it definitely took a lot of time but so worth it. And it also make me love my Akira cardigan even more knowing all the hard work I put into it! And thank for the pictures!
Michelle Shaffer
Love the creativity! I have been thinking about what I should do with my larger linen scraps and this has inspired me to try something new. Thanks!
Pauline Sarwan
Thanks Michelle! So happy that you’ll give a try at patchworking you scraps!