Cozy Toaster Sweater From Sew House Seven - Pattern Review
I’m such a sucker for a Mid-Century Modern cowl necked sweater. I have four or 5 that I have picked up over the past few years and It is my go-to for both around the house and when I have to run out and not look like a complete bum. Last month I went on a shopping spree and found myself at a sewing shop in Indianapolis called The French Seam. I’d been dying to go for ages but I was never in the city when they were open. I picked up more than I needed but got what I wanted!
One of the things I got was a pattern from Sew House Seven. Their Toaster Sweater patterns were exactly my style and I knew I needed it (need is a strong word here). I was so excited it was the first thing I made from my shopping haul. I thrifted the fabric a few weeks ago from Millie’s. I love sewing with vintage double knits more than modern knits. They seem much more sturdy and I don’t have to wear anything underneath after the first wash because they lose all their sustenance. I can also thrift them and wind up spending less than a few dollars!
I did the toaster sweater #1 because it had more of a cowl neck and I was pretty giddy. I’m glad I traced the pattern on a roll of trace paper from amazon instead of cutting it out because while it fits well, I am going to size up the next go around. I am also glad I went with my measurements rather than skipping that step and just tracing the size I usually go with. It would NOT have fit.
While watching a tutorial online I also learned a new way of cutting my notches. I have always cut an annoying little triangle on my pattern to line up. They are difficult to cut and then I never know if I should cut them off when I’m sewing my pattern together because they’re just… clunky. Anyway, I cut just a tiny little slit about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch where the notch would go and it was so. much. easier. It can’t be seen after I finished the edges, it never got in the way and was just as easy.
The sweater came together easily and in just under a day. It would have come together a little faster but I thought I assembled the cowl backwards and took it off just to put it back on again. Whoops! Because this was a sample sweater I didn’t feel like going out to buy matching thread for the top stitching. I found a great aurifil thread in lime green that looked fantastic with my vintage navy knit. Topstitching really makes this whole pattern come together and the contrasting green was really fun. The only place I couldn’t get topstitching was around the cuffs because I couldn’t get that small of a wrist under my foot - I think when I size up to the 12 instead of the 10 it should work much better. I’ll need to learn some new methods of top stitching in small areas moving forward!
Final Verdict
This was a 10/10 pattern in my books. It came together so easily with the help of the detailed pattern booklet. I plan on making it again and again! I can’t wait to make the Toaster Sweater #2 too.
If you are looking for something quick and cozy while learning knits, this is the pattern for you! Definitely make sure to use your measurements to choose a size and don’t forget the topstitching.
