Rowan Sweater Hack Along PT1 - Inspiration & interview with Kim

August 19, 2020 2 Comments

Jump to the previous post in the hack along: Rowan Sweater Hack Along - Announcement. Jump to the next post in the hack along: Rowan Sweater Hack Along PT2 - Getting started

Yesterday we've announced our Rowan Sweater Hack Along and today we're going to introduce you to its inspiration! Who remembers this amazing Rowan Sweater dress hack made by Kim de Haas? Last year Kim entered the Misusu FREEkin’ Sewing Challenge with this stunner and unsurprisingly & deservingly brought home first prize! And this inspiring make wasn’t an one-off, her instagram feed is filled with lovelingly made clothing for herself and her 2 daughters. Make sure to check it out!

 

Makes by Kim!

 

Over the years, I’ve been so inspired by all the different hacks on the Rowan Tee you’ve all come up with. But this particular hack by Kim stole my heart and I instantly knew I was going to shamelessly copy her idea for my own kids! They’ve become true wardrobe staples and are hands down the most favorite - most worn - endlessly washed items from last year's fall/winter wardrobe. 

Since we’re slowly gearing up for fall again, making some new Rowan sweaters is high up on the to-do list! Simultaneously, after the great success of the Rowan Tee KIDS Sew Along, I was brainstorming new ideas for a sew-along. And it hit me - a Rowan Sweater Hack Along based on Kim’s design! Luckily Kim was super excited to be our inspiration for the Hack Along! Similar to sew-alongs, we’re going to break up the pattern steps into daily tasks, but additionally we’re also going to hack the pattern and add a colorblock!

 

 

During the Hack Along, we’re going to re-create a simplified colorblock version of Kim’s winning design, making this a super beginner friendly project! But if you’re a more experienced hacker and want to design your own custom colorblock, you can join as well! All the steps in creating the colorblock can be applied to any custom colorblock design.

With Kim being the mastermind behind this design, I really wanted to pick Kim’s brain about her inspiration for this Rowan Sweater hack design and her sewing journey! Maybe it will inspire you for your own Rowan Sweater Hack idea! 

Introduce yourself Kim!

I’m Kim, 35 years old and I live with my husband and 2 daughters (age 3 & 5) in a little town near The Hague, the Netherlands. Yes - it's not always easy on my husband living in a woman-dominated household - but he was the one who not-so-secretly wished to have daughters! Wish granted! Next to my job as a 'sort of' teacher (in Dutch my job is called “intern begeleider) on a Montessori primary school, I obviously love to sew in my spare time. I also try to work out regularly, mostly Crossfit at the gym but I also love to wake- and snowboard! 

 

Can you tell us a bit about your sewing journey?

Sewing was ever-present while growing up - my mother used to sew a lot! As a kid, I collected all her scraps and sewed (by hand with needle and thread and the occasional glue…) clothes for my Barbie doll. Recently I ventured onto my Dad’s attic in search of my old Barbies for my own daughters to play with. Some of them were still wearing their by now vintage me-made fashion! How cute is that? My talent was already shining through! ;D

Later on, I used my mother’s sewing machine to sew little rugs, bags, flags, etc., for my work at school. It was only after the birth of my oldest daughter, that I started to sew 'real clothes'. I caught the virus during a workshop sewing baby pants and I’ve been hooked ever since! That's 5 years ago! By now, my mom’s old Singer sewing machine has been replaced by my own sewing machine and serger. After a while, sewing mostly for my daughters, I eventually dared to sew something for myself too. Even though I still mostly sew for my girls, more and more “selfish sewing”- projects are working their way up my 'to-sew'-list. But my poor husband is definitely sew neglected (pun intended) - I’ve only made him a few shirts and a short up until now…

 

What sewing project are you most proud of?

Next to the Rowan-Doris sweater dress I made last year, there are 2 other projects I’m truly proud of. The first is my Emma dress by La Maison Victor, which I sewed for a wedding. And the second one is my recently made first ever me-made Ash jeans by Megan Nielsen. Both projects demanded a lot of time, love & attention and I learned a lot during the process! 

 

Tell us a bit about your winning Rowan Sweater Dress Hack for last year’s Misusu FREEkin’ Sewing Challenge!

Honestly, I almost didn’t enter the challenge at all! Ever since I first sewed the Doris skirt, the idea to use the waistband of the Doris skirt upside down as a bottom band for a sweater, had been brewing in my mind. When the sewing challenge was announced, it felt like the perfect occasion to give that idea a go. And it all came together just like I imagined! But even though I was really satisfied with my creation, doubt about entering the challenge started creeping in. I was feeling a bit insecure about my make - was it inspiring enough? I showed my dress to a dear sewing buddy and asked for her opinion. She had some great ideas to spice things up, but I ultimately decided to stick to my own  ‘Less is more’  aesthetic. I took some photos during our vacation, entered the challenge and the rest is history!

 

What pattern or sewing project is high up on your “to sew” list?

At the moment, sewing the Jazz bikini by Swimstyle is high on my ‘to-sew’ list! Next to that I really want to sew a jumpsuit. But there’s the doubt again! I’m still unsure on which jumpsuit pattern (tips are welcome)! And for my daughter’s, I’m obviously going to make a 2020 version of the Rowan-Doris dress! I’m looking forward to seeing all the different Rowan Sweater Dress versions during the Hack Along! 

 

Thank you so much Kim! I can’t believe you almost didn’t enter and I’m so happy you did! Thank you so much for inspiring us with your creation! You can find Kim on Instagram @pinkrabbit_nl.

I hope you all feel as inspired as I am! If you want to stay informed on the Hack Along, come join our FB group, where all the fun & buzz will take place! Tomorrow we're going to talk about getting started and gathering all your supplies!

Happy sewing,

Elles

 

2 Responses

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Name *

Email *

Comment *