Oaklynn is our next cool weather must-have pattern! Oaklynn comes with two fun main options – a solid option, or a colorblocked option that’s great for using up those smaller pieces. I usually save those pieces for my kids, but not any more!!

As usual, Oaklynn comes with plenty of variety. Hem line options include high hip, full hip, curved hem (solid only), or banded top. Oaklynn’s sleeve options include 3/4 roll-up cuff sleeves (solid option only), cuffed long sleeves, or hemmed long sleeves. To match the cozy, relaxed fit of Oaklynn, the sleeves are extra long for both long sleeve options! Finally, neckline options include crew neck with a wider neckband, hooded crew, v-neck, or hooded v-neck.

Wondering what else you can do with your Oaklynn pattern? Some of our testers got creative with a few simple hacks for you!

Fae/Aspen Sleeve Hack

One of my favorite sewing challenges is mashing patterns to make a garment completely new. And Made for Mermaids patterns are great “canvases” to mix and match – with only minor modifications required!

The new Oaklynn Sweater has a wonderful drop-shoulder, dolman-style sleeve that is fairly fitted through the arm. If you prefer a looser sleeve or even want to dress it up a bit, the Aspen Sweater or the Fae Cardigan are great choices for pairings!

The armscye is slightly different for each of these patterns, so a new sleeve piece has to be traced. This is the case for both Aspen or Fae; I’ll be showing the Aspen, but the steps would be the same for Fae as well.

If you want to use Aspen’s billowy bishop-style sleeve, you’ll need to start by tracing the Oaklynn sleeve cap on to a piece of paper. Lay the Aspen bishop sleeve on top and match up the underarm points. As you can see in the photo below, the Aspen sleeve will overhang the new pattern piece slightly, making your new Oaklynn bishop sleeve just slightly more narrow than the Aspen.

Trace the rest of the Aspen sleeve to create your new pattern piece. Don’t forget to also cut the Aspen bishop sleeve cuff! From this point, you’ll follow the pattern instructions to finish your assembly.

As a personal preference, I like to gather my bishop sleeve prior to attaching it to the bodice. Here’s a quick how-to video for gathering on your serger:

It’s so fast and easy!! If you prefer the looser, cuffed long-sleeves of the Aspen, you’ll follow a similar method for creating your new pattern piece.

Trace the sleeve cap of the Oaklynn on to a new sheet of paper and line up the underarm points. The Aspen long-sleeve is significantly shorter than the Oaklynn so you’ll want to grade the Aspen to the length of the Oaklynn sleeve as you trace your new pattern piece (where indicated in red below).

Don’t forget to cut the Aspen long-sleeve cuffs! From this point, you’ll follow the pattern assembly instructions included with the Oaklynn.

Between the Oaklynn , Fae, and Aspen, you can mix and match any number of cozy tops to wear all season long!

Enjoy!! – Rachel

Long Cuff Hack

I’m loving all of the options included in the Oaklynn pattern, but having a couple more options never hurts! Extra long cuffs take little adjustments and make for a fun detail.

First you need to decide how much longer you want your cuff to be. I decided I wanted mine about 2″ longer.

Start by shortening the sleeve pattern piece by 2″.

Now take your cuff pattern but since you fold the cuff in half, you’ll actually double the length you took away from the sleeve to add to the cuff. So in my case, I added 4″ to the cuff.

Perfect! Now you’re ready to assemble your pattern per the tutorial! See? That was easy wasn’t it?

Happy sewing, friends! – Christina

Babydoll Hack

This time of year is my absolute favorite. I’m a huge fan of seeing the leaves change colors, drinking cider, and eating s’mores around the fire pit at night while star gazing. Yes… I said it… cider over pumpkin spice haha! But what I love the most is the crisp cooler weather which means I CAN WEAR LAYERS!!! I love love love layers! I may have been born in the summer but I was made for fall and winter! Hoodies…especially cute hoodies are my JAM! So when the opportunity came to test the Oaklynn, I knew I had to because you can never have too many hoodies! This is such an amazing pattern and made for the perfect base for a few inspirations I saved on Pinterest.

Let’s get started!

NOTES: I use a projector so I traced the pieces out on parchment paper just for this tutorial, but if you have a projector or have already printed the pieces, there’s no need to trace; you can use the pieces you have!

Use the top of the bottom block of the colorblock as the guide to determine where to cut the front bodice.

Mark 1/2” down from the top of the bottom block for the seam allowance. This will be your cut line.

**Repeat the steps for the back bodice! Don’t throw the piece you cut off away just yet… you’ll need it later!**

To determine your pieces to cut for the bottom we will have to do a little math. I promise it’s not hard though!

To find the width, you’ll need to measure the base of your front block and multiply that by 1.75. This ensures you have enough to gather.

For me, my base was 21 1/2” x 1.75 = 37.625, which converts to 37 5/8”.

To find the height, you’ll need to grab the piece that we cut off earlier, and measure from top to bottom and add 1/2” for the SA.

Mine measured 8 1/4” + 1/2” = 8 3/4” will be my height.

My bottom pieces would be 8 3/4” x 37 5/8”. You’ll need to cut two.

Follow the tutorial for the pattern construction of Oaklynn.

With right sides together, sew your rectangles on the short ends together. This will create a large loop. (If you’re wanting to hem the bottom edge this is the perfect time to do so.)

Using your preferred gathering method. (Clear elastic, double gathering stitches etc), create a gathering stitch along the long edge.

*NOTE: Clear elastic can be used but not a deal breaker if you don’t have it!**

Pull the gathering to the width of your Oaklynn. I like to lay my pieces like this when I gather so I can flip up the bottom hem towards the garment making it easier to and pin/clip together so you don’t loose those pretty gathers! **You can do an exposed ruffle for this as well! Check out the Blythe Hacks for tips and tricks on accomplishing the exposed ruffle.**