Toaster Sweater 2 // #SewMyStyle // January

Now this sweater does what the name implies. It keeps me toasty! This was my first make of the year and it was the January project for Sew My Style. If you are not familiar with this project, I wrote a blog post with all the #SewMyStyle ins and outs here.

The Toaster Sweater 2 is a pattern designed by Sew House Seven. It is somewhat fitted through the shoulders and sleeves and then swings out a bit at the underarms and hem. It features a semi-high-neck, which makes it a perfect garment to wear in the colder months. It also has mitered side vents with a hi-low hem that is 1” shorter in the front than the back. It is designed to sit just below your high hip, but because I’m quite tall it sits just under my waist.

This pattern is not something I would have picked out myself, so I’m really glad Project Sew My Style made me! I tend to make a lot of dresses, which I love, but lately I realised that I’m not the type to wear dresses 7 days a week. I actually love to wear jeans with a comfy slouchy sweater that keeps me warm and comfortable. Making more separates is on top of my to sew list, so I can eventually wear handmade 7 days a week.

PATTERN // Toaster Sweater 2 from Sew House Seven. The PDF pattern is usually priced at $10 but I bought it for $ 7.50 (£6.28) with the Sew My Style discount code. The instructions that come with the pattern are really clear and easy to follow.

FABRIC // Sew House Seven recommends using mid-weight knitted fabrics with at least 20% stretch. I found a really helpful tutorial on how to measure the stretch of your fabric on Stitch N Smile’s blog. I bought my fabric in the Netherlands a few months ago from Korteland, which is a little fabric shop in my hometown. It’s a ribbed sweatshirt knit and I fell in love with it the moment I saw it.

SIZING AND CUTTING // The first thing I always do is compare my own measurements to the body measurement chart in the instructions. I measure 88cm at my bust, 70cm at my waist and 97cm at my hip at the moment. This means that I would need a medium. Next I always check the finished garment measurements chart in the instructions. The finished bust measurement for a size M is 109cm. As I like my clothes to be more fitted I also checked the finished bust measurement for an S, which is 104cm, 16cm bigger than my own bust. I then decided to go for a size small as I know this is plenty enough wearing ease for me especially with stretchy fabric.

Instead of cutting the back bodice on the fold, I added a center back seam. It just adds an interesting touch I think. To create this I added 1.5cm to the center seam on both sides of the bodices to allow for a seam allowance. I also added 3cm to the length of my sleeves.

STITCHING // It’s a quick make which I always really enjoy. I can start something one day and wear it the next. I stitched everything with a triple straight stitch, also know as a stretch stitch; this looks like a straight stitch but is extra strong because it goes over each stitch three times.

FITTING AND ALTERATIONS //The fitted shoulder seams and fitted sleeves accentuate my shape at the top and the loose fit around my waist makes it relaxed and comfortable to wear. This is exactly how I like my tops. I didn’t alter the pattern or garment at all, apart from the extra 3cm I added to the length of the sleeves.

VERDICT // This pattern is designed for beginners and I agree that this is a perfect project for those with not a lot of experience. Especially if you made a few garments with woven fabrics before and you want to give sewing with knitted fabrics a go. It makes for a great wardrobe staple, which makes it ideal for anyone who is making their own handmade wardrobe.

I cut a size small instead of a medium, and I am really happy that I did. I think a size medium would have looked too big on me. The shoulder seam now sits exactly where it should sit and I don’t look bigger than I actually am. I also really like that it’s a cropped version.

NEXT TIME // The sleeves are now just long enough for me but I only used a 1cm hem to get it to this length. I’m going to add another 3cm to the length next time so the hem on the sleeves is the same width as the bottom hem. To change things up a bit I am also going to make a longer version. I will probably add about 10cm to the bottom.

I wear this sweater all the time and I ‘accidentally’ purchased fabric for a second one already. This pattern made for a great start of the year and I hope many of these successful makes will follow!

Love, Barbara