Calypso Hack Series: Changing Colorblocking

There's something special about colorblocking. I think it's the magic that you can take what was a scrap and make a garment from it. I can tell you, I have a lot of scraps! So when Sinclair Patterns announced the Calypso tee and hoodie, I jumped into the test. I was so excited to mix and match some of my fabrics in my stash for fun combos. During the testing process, I made 2 tees and a hoodie. 

But then I had an idea! That idea just couldn't leave my head. I needed to hack the color blocked Calypso even more. So I decided it was time for another pattern hacking series featuring the Calypso! 

First up, I want to show how you can combine colorblocking pieces to get a different look. You can combine as many or as few pieces as you like. What you'll need for this hack is just the Calypso pattern.

Hack Details

Go ahead and print then grade the pattern to your sizing. I use a projector setup so rather than printing the pattern, I projected it on my cut table and traced it. The only pieces you will be modifying are the front pattern pieces. This hack can be done with any version of Calypso but I'll be showing it with the t-shirt. 

Decide which pattern pieces you want to combine. I'll be combining Pieces A and B or the top 2 pieces. Take your clear ruler and draw the 1/4" seam allowance on the two sides you'll be combining. 

Fold along the lines you drew.

Clip or tape those together matching up the lines. This will be removing the seam allowances. Use this new joined piece to cut your fabric out. 

You can use this same process for combining any of the pieces on the Calypso. One thing to note though is that with the hidden kangaroo pocket, some seams are 3/8" and others are 1/4". The lines below in pink use a 3/8" seam allowance so you'll remove 3/8" rather than the 1/4" in the tutorial above. 

Finish cutting the remaining pieces including your sleeves, neckband/cowl/hoods, back and waistband if you are using that. For this make, I cut the new A/B combined piece, C, D (along the pocket line) and side panel. 

Follow the construction steps as laid out in the tutorial. No construction changes with this hack. If you are working with scraps like I was, you can also include a back seam if needed. To do this, rather than cutting the back on the fold, cut it with 1/4" seam allowance mirrored. Then stitch it using the 1/4" seam allowance before construction.

Fabrics

Since I was raiding my scrap bin, my fabrics are quite a mix. The main floral is a triblend from Knitpop from several years ago. The middle stripe is dusty mauve cupro from Mily Mae Fabrics. The lower solid color is a bamboo from Knitpop also. 

When mixing fabrics for colorblocking, I find it best to pick similar weight fabrics. Although these are all different types of fabrics, they all have the same light-mid weight. They also have similar stretch content. 

Stay tuned for more hacks for the Calypso tee including how to make it into a tank and how to make a men's version. You aren't going to want to miss this!

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