You know how much I love replicating royal looks, and this time I had the company of a sewing friend! When I saw Shannon, from Indoor Shannon, also recreating royal looks I reached out and asked her if she would like to work on a project together and she said yes!

We soon landed on recreating the Scanlan Theodore Garnet Crepe Knit Wrap Jacket Meghan wore to the 2018 Invictus Games. We each chose our own pattern and fabric. You can read all about Shannon's make on her blog here.



The bones of this wrap top pattern were a great starting point for the look I wanted to recreate. The main things I needed to tweak were adding some fullness to the skirt front and shaping the front to slightly curve upward. I started by tracing the original pattern piece off, cutting the new pattern piece at the waistline, and slicing and spreading the bottom portion in a few pieces making sure to avoid the dart. In each place where I cut the pattern I left about a millimeter attached so I could spread the pattern while keeping the seam length the same.

I rounded the right, front skirt of the wrap, while leaving the left side full length to more accurately copy the original garment. I also needed to shorten one of the ties and add a few hidden snaps for the final look. I really like how my replica turned out, but wish I had added a few more inches in width to the skirt portion of the top.

I used a stretch knit crepe from JoAnn to create this look. I hadn't sewn with a stretch crepe before and wasn't sure what to expect. It was easy to work with, had a fair amount of structure, and formed to my body well. It had the texture of a crepe fabric and a slight stretch like a sturdy knit.

I finished this top just in time for the holidays and enjoyed wearing it for a number of occasions. Shannon and I would love to see your royal replicas so make sure to join us in tagging your pieces #replicateroyalty #sewmeghan and #sewkate!




Time estimate: 8 hours
Size: 10
Fabric used: stretch knit crepe, pomegranate; 95% polyester, 5% spandex
Care instructions: machine wash gentle cold, nonchroline bleach, line dry, cool iron

Cost to Make
Pattern: borrowed
Fabric: $23
*used thread and snaps from my stash
TOTAL: $23

P.S. I also made the shirt he wore in our family photos. Stay tuned for that post coming soon!

Photos by K.Willerick Photography

Whipping up this Cher knit sweater was so rewarding. It was quick to make (I was able to do the whole thing on my serger!) and I love the final look. Thankfully I was able to finish it while we still had a bit of cold weather.


I used the Cher knit dress pattern from Style Arc to make this sweater, modifying the pattern slightly by changing the bottom skirt portion of the pattern to a simple waistband. To do this I stood my tape measure on its side and measured the bottom portion of the top. Using this measurement I cut two rectangles 6 inches deep, sewed them together at both short sides (right sides together), and finished the sweater by sewing this band to the bottom of the top portion of the dress (right sides out.) Style Arc's instructions and directional diagram was a breeze to use and easy to modify.


Style Arc describes this design as an "avant-garde" style and I love its architectural design. While I do love this make, it didn't end up being as close of a replicate to Meghan Markle's white sweater as I had hoped. I plan to make it again in a white, lighter weight sweater knit and will bring up the hemline a few inches.

My biggest learning from this make was how important it is to cut pattern pieces on the grainline, ensuring that the stretch of knit garments goes around the body and not vertically, which could cause a heavy garment to pull downward. In patterns like this mis-cutting the fabric can make it very difficult your head through the small neck hole. I would know!




I get a lot of compliments wearing this sweater and always feel great wearing it. I will certainly be making more versions in the future!

Time estimate: 3 hours
Size: 8
Fabric used: Fuzzy Gray and White Chunky Wool Knit, wool blend, 1.5 yards
Care instructions: dry-clean for best results

Cost to make:
Cher Knit Dress Pattern and Shipping: $16.50
Fuzzy Gray and White Chunky Wool Knit: 1.5 yards, $40.50
*used thread from my stash
TOTAL: $57.00

Over the course of last year I spent a fair amount of time thinking about my style and I realized that if I took the time and energy to make handmade garments I wanted them to be garments I would be happy to wear for years for to come. I have been admiring the Duchesses' timeless style more and more and would like to add some royally inspired garments to my wardrobe this year so I collected a few of my favorite royal ensembles and accompanying patterns and fabrics. There are so many options to pick from and I could easily add a handful more Catherine inspired dresses. I hope you enjoy this inspiration and stay tuned for my royally inspired makes!

Pictured above: Meghan in an over sized white sweater and skinny black slacks
Patterns to replicate this look: Cher knit sweater and Vogue 9210 slacks
Fabrics to replicate this look: Fuzzy Gray and White Chunky Wool Knit and Armani Black Stretch Wool Twill Suiting
Pictured above: Catherine in an olive blazer, cream blouse, and navy wide leg trousers
Patterns to replicate this look: Vogue 9099 blazer, New Look 6483 blouse, Vogue 9131 trousers
Fabrics to replicate this look: Pale Green Solid Suiting, Antique White Silk Charmeuse, Stretch Gabardine Nylon Cotton Suiting Navy Fabric
Pictured above: Meghan in a black turtleneck sweater and black wide leg pants
Patterns to replicate this look: Kwik Sew 4069 turtleneck, Vogue 9282 wide leg pants
Fabrics to replicate this look: Black Tubular Bamboo Rib Knit, Black Stretch Wool Gabardine
Pictured above: Catherine in a yellow brocade fit and flare dress
Pattern to replicate this look: Vogue 1499 cap sleeve, pleated-skirt dress
Fabric to replicate this look: British Zest Abstract Brocade
Pictures above: Meghan in a taupe trench dress
Pattern to replicate this look: Burda Style 6380 double breasted coat
Fabric to replicate this look: Beige Solid Wool Gabardine