October 14th and 15th, I am leading us through the Toaster Sweater sew-along! This sew-along won’t be hosted here, but instead at Sew House Seven’s site. For the pattern, you can purchase either sweater – or both – in a print or PDF version.
I fell in love with this pattern – in the short time I’ve had it in my home, I’ve made five versions (in three different sizes). It is a fast project, ideally suited for stitchers who are new to knits – because the recommended knit fabrics are relatively stable.
But it is also just gorgeously put together. Version one features a t-neck, wide cuff and hem band, and raglan sleeves. Version two has a looser fit, closer-set sleeves, a slight swing to the side seams, and wonderful side vents. Version two runs slightly large. Both patterns are drafted in the most elegant way, and I especially love the necklines. Let’s face it. I am an addict!
Supplies (here is my post on SH7’s site)
(above: navy for version one, red for version two)
Fabrics: you want a stable knit with loft, to give body to the necklines (read on below for versions I made with sheer knits!). You also want a knit with good recovery, and with 20% stretch. I will be showing how to finish seams using serge or zig-zag.
Above, you can see two thread colors for the navy version one – blue to match the garment, and tan for topstitching.
So here’s a few pictures of other versions – in fabrics not recommended – just to give you an idea of different knit options:
From left to right: a high-loft wool in a natural colorway (pregan stash), a black linen (wonderful – absolutely no recovery though!), and a silk tissue knit (again – pregan stash). The natural is the most stable. The other two have a pretty neckline that collapses into an unstructured, but symmetrical, neckline.
I finish knits with zig-zag more often than double-needle. I like the finish. In this case, I zig-zag finished over the serged edge.
Shown above: the linen neckline. The neckline on version two is best cut and handled with care, for a good finish.
Mitered corners – beautiful! And so easy:
From the inside!
I love the soft structure of version two’s neckline. The more stable the knit, the stronger this structure emerges.
Toaster One‘s sew-along goes up the 14th; Toaster Two, the fifteenth! As always, if you have any questions – comment or email!
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And, because it’s my prerogative, I’m going to bust in with some other sewing news today – more Vado jeans! I made these yesterday – from start to finish. I have streamlined my jean-sewing so I am very swift. I suspect I’ll just be making pair after pair, maybe in some novelty denims from my favorite denim shop!
These fit just how I like – and so they feel great. Some pictures inside, because I am all about that construction pr0n!
Some tips on making a good-looking fly: shorten your zipper to the right length, and stitch matching threads where you want to be inobtrusive.
Shown below: a bold white topstitch on the underlap:
The inside of the fly. I almost always interface at both center fronts. I like a fly to be sturdy. It feels and performs better! This will also help if you’re making a curved fly front!
Topstitching – you can barely see the belt carrier here, since the print is so busy!
I serge-finished the jean with a thread that matched the inside, not the outside, of the print:
Those jeans are so great Kelly! I’m still fairly slow at making jeans. It takes me pretty much an entire day to sew a pair so it only happens every few years. I need to make another pair soon. Yours are pretty inspiring!