Blog tour: The Bimaa Sweater (and a PATTERN GIVEAWAY)

October 15, 2013

I am happy today to show you my two Bimaa sweaters made with the great pattern by Sarah of LouBeeClothing and EmmyLouBeeDoo blog. Sarah has released three patterns, the Hosh pants and Doli tank have also been very popular among sewing bloggers.

Sarah actually released this Bimaa sweater pattern many months ago, but since she has recently added the hoodie variation, she then decided to arrange this blog tour. So the Bimaa now has three views - hoodie and cowl (which I have sewn) and a shorter shawl collar.

When Sarah emailed me asking if I would like to take part in her tour, I, like all the other bloggers, signed up right away. A super cute pattern that I could make up for all my girls which they would be comfy in for every day wear and that I could sew up quickly. I sewed both of these up in less than an hour each. I used my overlocker (serger) exclusively for these tops. Awesome!! So quick and no skipped stitches (but less room for error!!)

The hoodie view is so cute! A great fitting hood that Sarah worked very hard on perfecting! The whole hood is lined. I used a pink marle fine ribbed stretch fabric and a soft cream stretch lining for the hood lining. Sarah suggests specifically to use fabric with stretch that goes both ways. This is because the pattern is a snug fit and to make it easy to get on and off, your fabric needs to be stretchy.

Sorry there are no photos with hood off...Juliette wanted to keep it on!

The cowl view is also gorgeous. I found this two way stretch fabric at my local op shop! What a score. This Bimaa cost me about $1.50!! Sarah made a gorgeous version where the cowl is sewn up in a different knit so that it looks like a scarf layered over the top. Fun! A couple of bloggers on this tour have also adapted the pattern into an A-line dress which look great too.

I have seen a few sewers comment that they would like this pattern in adult size. My thoughts exactly! In fact, I upsized the Bimaa (well not technically, but took inspiration from...) to make my own red and white big Bimaa for Selfish Sewing Week a couple of weeks. back.

The pattern comes in sizes 12 months - 6 years and the hoodie and cowl view are both also suitable for boys. If your child is halfway between two sizes and is of average size for age, I would recommend choosing the larger size as it is a snug fit. I love this pattern and hope to get another one made up for KCW next week...perhaps with ears!!

Sarah has generously offered one of my readers a chance to win a copy of her fab pattern. To enter, just leave a comment to let me know which Bimaa you would sew up first if you were to win and whether you are confident sewing with knits. This offer is open to all facebook followers of EmmyLouBeeDoo and sewpony: simply click on these highlighted links (if you are not already a fan) and click 'like'.

Offer closes on Friday 18th October at 8pm Melbourne time. I will announce the winner shortly after and Sarah will email you with a copy!!

You can buy Sarah's pattern HERE.

Thank you Sarah for your lovely pattern...I will be making more Bimaa's in my sewing future!!
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