The unexpected conclusion to the hug-me-tight experiment
![Conclusion of the hug me tight experiment white cotton 2](https://lizhaywood.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Conclusion-of-the-hug-me-tight-experiment-white-cotton-2.jpg)
Last week’s hug-me-tight experiment has taken an unexpected turn. You can read about the adventure so far here.
This is the cutting concept I started with:
![Zero waste fashion hug me tight](http://lizhaywood.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Zero-waste-fashion-hug-me-tight-sketch.jpg)
I felt that the maroon double knit hug-me-tight that I was experimenting with was too short (it finished at my waist), although the sleeves were good and the collar was okay. It looked okay as a shrug/bolero.
![Hug me tight with bands and sleeves, flat](http://lizhaywood.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Hug-me-tight-with-bands-and-sleeves-flat.jpg)
I have since been trying out some other fabrics and wondered if I’ve been “overthinking” the simplicity of the hug-me-tight. I also pondered last week’s comment by Michelle Shaffer about sheer fabrics.
Here’s some other hug-me-tights in different fabrics (these are fabrics I already had, just pinned together).
This is a piece of white cotton fabric I plan to make a shirt with one of these days. I had thought it might look like I was wrapped in a bed sheet but actually it looks a bit sculptural.
![Conclusion of the hug me tight experiment white cotton 1](http://lizhaywood.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Conclusion-of-the-hug-me-tight-experiment-white-cotton-1.jpg)
Here’s a skirt length of tartan wool. Again, it didn’t look as unwearable as I thought it would. It falls somewhere in between wearing Viv Westwood and wearing a picnic blanket. I could match those checks if I tried.
![Conclusion of the hug me tight experiment tartan](http://lizhaywood.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Conclusion-of-the-hug-me-tight-experiment-tartan.jpg)
A sheer version, using cream 100% polyester. I don’t mind it, it’s certainly elegant.
![Conclusion of the hug me tight experiment sheer 3](http://lizhaywood.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Conclusion-of-the-hug-me-tight-experiment-sheer-3.jpg)
So, in conclusion, I would say
- bigger is better – smaller looks too skimpy unless you’re aiming for a shrug/bolero look
- the most important dimension is the centre back length
- almost any fabric works…knits, sheers, wools, cottons etc
- keep it simple
The maroon double knit had a happy ending. I took it apart and re-cut it into a conventional sort of a cardigan with a zip front.
![Conclusion of the hug me tight experiment maroon cardi body 1](http://lizhaywood.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Conclusion-of-the-hug-me-tight-experiment-maroon-cardi-body-1.jpg)
![Conclusion of the hug me tight experiment maroon cardi body 2](http://lizhaywood.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Conclusion-of-the-hug-me-tight-experiment-maroon-cardi-body-2.jpg)
![Conclusion of the hug me tight experiment maroon cardi sleeves 1](http://lizhaywood.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Conclusion-of-the-hug-me-tight-experiment-maroon-cardi-sleeves-1.jpg)
![Conclusion of the hug me tight experiment maroon cardi sleeves 2](http://lizhaywood.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Conclusion-of-the-hug-me-tight-experiment-maroon-cardi-sleeves-2.jpg)
![Conclusion of the hug me tight experiment maroon cardi sleeves 3](http://lizhaywood.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Conclusion-of-the-hug-me-tight-experiment-maroon-cardi-sleeves-3.jpg)
![Conclusion of the hug me tight experiment maroon cardi sleeves 4](http://lizhaywood.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Conclusion-of-the-hug-me-tight-experiment-maroon-cardi-sleeves-4-1024x768.jpg)
![Conclusion of the hug me tight experiment maroon cardi sleeves 6](http://lizhaywood.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Conclusion-of-the-hug-me-tight-experiment-maroon-cardi-sleeves-6-1024x768.jpg)
![Conclusion of the hug me tight experiment maroon cardi sleeves 5](http://lizhaywood.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Conclusion-of-the-hug-me-tight-experiment-maroon-cardi-sleeves-5.jpg)
![Conclusion of the hug me tight experiment maroon cardi sleeves 7](http://lizhaywood.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Conclusion-of-the-hug-me-tight-experiment-maroon-cardi-sleeves-7.jpg)
![Conclusion of the hug me tight experiment maroon cardi body 3](http://lizhaywood.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Conclusion-of-the-hug-me-tight-experiment-maroon-cardi-body-3.jpg)
![Conclusion of the hug me tight experiment maroon cardi body 4](http://lizhaywood.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Conclusion-of-the-hug-me-tight-experiment-maroon-cardi-body-4.jpg)
Cheers!
I’m going to try the gusset on a sweatshirt I have that has restricted arm movement. Thanks for the tip.
Cheers, Michelle. Mine was a square but you could make it more diamond-shaped. I recommend pinning it in first.