Heartleaf Pattern Hack
Heartleaf is a comfy and cozy oversized batwing sweater available in adult, children, and baby sizing. Heartleaf’s hem and sleeve hems are finished with an elastic casing. But if you are out of elastic or just prefer a different look, you may want to use bands instead of elastic. Josie is here today to tell you how!
Hi everyone! I fell in love with my cuffed and banded Heartleaf, so wanted to share with you how I made it!
Preparation:
You will need your Heartleaf pattern pieces as well as additional knit material to use for the sleeve cuffs and hem band. You will not need the elastic the pattern originally calls for.
Before starting the steps below, you will need to cut your cuffs and hem bands. Use the measurement for the elastic from the Heartleaf tutorial for the width of all the bands. The cuffs should be cut at 3.75” (9.5cm) length and the hem band should be cut at 4.75” (12cm) length. Cut two cuffs and one hem band.
For example, if I am sewing the adult size 6, crop hem Heartleaf, I will cut two cuffs at 8” wide by 3.75” tall and one hem band at 32” wide by 4.75” tall.
Instructions:
Step 1
Take your sleeve pattern piece and draw a straight line across horizontally 1.25” from the bottom hem.
Step 2
Measure 1” from the line marked in step 1 and draw another horizontal line across. Draw another line vertically from the outer edge of the pattern piece until it meets your horizontal line.
Step 3
Draw a diagonal line from the top of the sleeve outer edge until it meets where the vertical and horizontal lines meet from step 2.
Step 4
Cut along the lines drawn in steps 2 and 3. This is now your sleeve pattern piece. Repeat steps 1-4 with the hemline of your front and back bodice pieces.
Follow the Heartleaf tutorial starting at step 1, skipping step 4 and stopping after completing step 12.
Step 5
Fold one of your cuffs in half widthwise. Fold it in half again lengthwise.
Step 6
Pin/clip and sew along the raw edge. Turn right side out and press. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for your second cuff and hem band.
Step 7
Sew two rows of gathering stitches along the bottom hemline of your bodice.
Step 8
Gather the hem to be the same width as your hem band. Mark the quarter points of both the hemline and the raw edges of the band.
Step 9
Place the bodice inside of the hem band, matching the quarter points. The raw edges of the band and the gathered raw edge of the hemline should be aligned. The RIGHT side of your bodice will be touching the RIGHT side of your hem band. Pin/clip along the raw edges and sew with a stretch stitch or serger.
Repeat steps 7-9 with the hemline of the sleeves and your cuffs.
Step 10
Turn all cuffs and hem band right side out and press. Finish the neckline of your Heartleaf by continuing in the Heartleaf tutorial from step 22 for the neckband or step 27 for the hood.
You’re done!
I hope you enjoy this heartleaf hack as much as I do! If you try this we would love to see! Share in our Facebook group or tag us on Instagram at @booandlupatterns to show off those amazing projects!
Happy Sewing!
