Make a camo suit from a sweat suit pattern and camouflaged fleece fabric.
Make a camo suit for the fall from a two-piece sweat suit pattern using earth-toned camouflaged fleece or fleece-backed fabric and an elastic waist and cuffs. The fleece or fleece-backed sweat suit fabric will provide a layer of warmth for crisp autumn weather and camouflage for environments affected by nature's changing seasons. With moderate to advanced sewing machine skills you can make a two-piece camouflaged sweat suit in an afternoon.
Instructions
1. Measure the intended wearer of the camo suit by measuring from the inner ankle to the crotch for the inseam measurement. Measure around the widest part of the chest, under the arms. Measure from shoulder to shoulder and then from the shoulder to the wrist. Measure around the wearer's waist. Write down these measurements.
2. Select a simple pattern consisting of a sweatshirt and elastic-waist pants. Patterns are sized according to clothing size, but if in doubt, consult the measurements on the pattern envelope. Sweat suit patterns are available from various brands in a wide selection of sizes, including plus sizes and big and tall men's sizes. Most simple sweat suit patterns consist of about 3 to 4 pieces.
3. Wash fabric in cold water with clothes detergent. Dry the fabric. Washing and drying the fabric beforehand eliminates the possibility of shrinkage in finished garments.
4. Cut out the pattern along the solid black lines. Don't cut off the arrows protruding from the pattern line as these help in aligning your fabric pieces during sewing so the seams flow straight from one piece to another. A sweat suit is the perfect choice for fall attire as fleece provides warmth without being too heavy. Fleece is easy to clean, which is necessary if your camo suit sees outdoor action.
5. Lay the pattern on the fabric according to the pattern's instructional illustration. Pin. Fleece fabric is available through discount, fabric and craft stores.
6. Remove the pattern pieces from the two fabric sections of the pants. Align the piece edges, lining up the arrows, with the right sides of the fabric touching. Consult the pattern instructions. Pin the pieces with the pins lying horizontally for easy removal while sewing.
7. Sew the pants according to the pattern instructions. Most patterns require a 1-inch seam allowance and a straight stitch. According to the Sewing and Craft Alliance, use a universal sewing needle in needle gauge 60/8 to 120/19 for woven and knit fabric, or if you're using a lightweight fleece-backed fabric, use a 75/11 or a 90/14 needle.
8. Remove the patterns on the sweatshirt fabric. Assemble the pieces as instructed by the pattern, pinning the edges. Sew the sweatshirt according to the pattern instructions.
9. Insert elastic into the casings sewn for the sleeves/pants cuffs and for the waist. Connect a safety pin to the one elastic end. Connect a safety pin to the other elastic end and to the casing opening. Feed the safety pin/elastic through the casing until the pin/elastic emerges from the casing's other side. Using a safety pin makes it easier to feel the elastic in the casing while you're feeding it through. You won't lose the elastic during the feeding if it's attached to a pin and/or the casing.
Tags: sweat suit, according pattern, camo suit, pattern instructions, according pattern instructions, camouflaged fleece