Sew My Style – January

Remember me mentioning Sew My Style in my resolutions blog post?  Today I’m sharing my first make with you 🙂  And I love it!  I must confess, I wasn’t initially sure about this pattern, but I really wanted to take part in this initiative so I thought I would just give it a go and I’m so glad I did.  I love this sweater ❤

The pattern
First up for Sew My Style was the Toaster Sweater (version 2) from Sew House 7.  It’s sooooo easy!  I think it probably took me just over two hours to make, including cutting the fabric, which is incredible.  That even included time spent getting my head around new techniques.  It was my first try at mitered corners – an absolute revelation!  I would definitely use that technique on other patterns.

Modifications
I made no modifications to the pattern, but I did manage to fathom from reading the sizing guide that the sizes seemed to run a little large.  So, in a fit of spontaneity (I say that, but I actually agonised over it for a good couple of days) I decided to risk tracing off the pattern based purely on the finished garment measurements, even though it meant I fell into the extra small category which has literally never happened before.  I knew the jersey would have a lot of give anyway and luckily it paid off.  My sister also made a smaller size than she ordinarily would have and hers looks fine.  Anyway, I think this pattern sizing is on the large size, but as long as you take heed of the measurements you should be alright. The only other modification I might make next time would be to lengthen it a little.

The fabric
An absolutely stunning ponte di roma from the Textile Centre.  I’m devastated because I loved this fabric so much that I wanted to buy more and make something else, but it now seems to be sold out 😦  I will be keeping a close eye out over the next few weeks in case it come back into stock.

The cost
I bought two metres of fabric for £6.74 in the sale – what a bargain!  I think the pattern was about £9 (with the Sew My Style discount) once it was converted from dollars to pounds.  I already had everything else I needed, which means that it was about £16 including the pattern, which is pretty darn good 🙂

So that’s the first Sew My Style project complete and my first resolution ticked off!  Next up for Sew My Style is the Saunio Cardigan from Named Clothing, which I’m actually making for my friend, Rachel (hello, Rachel!), because I’m so certain it won’t be a pattern that will suit me.  Rachel has picked the fabric and made a couple of Saunios herself already, so I can use those as a good indication as to whether I have the sizing right, and I can also use the pattern pieces she has already prepared, which cuts out a load of the boring parts of sewing – score!  This will be about the third time I’ve sewn anything for someone else – don’t you think there’s quite a lot of pressure involved in making things for other people?!  Wish me luck…