My first make of 2020 is the Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater version 2. I received this pattern as a gift over a year ago, but kept deprioritizing making it. For some reason, I had thought that it would be a fairly time consuming make. I was SO wrong. Version 2 is one of the more simple knit tops that I have made. Now that I know it’s such a quick sew, I will definitely be making more. It’s perfect for San Francisco weather and my chilly office.
Fabric
For my version of the Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater, I used Atelier Brunette sweatshirt fabric that has been sitting in my stash forever. I had been so nervous to use it as it was a bit more expensive than the fabric I typically buy. It turned out to be perfect for this project. The pattern recommends at least 20% stretch, my fabric probably had a bit more. I might try something with slightly less stretch next time because I prefer my clothes to be a bit more structured if they aren’t fitted.
Pattern & Sizing
This pattern only requires 3 pattern pieces! Such a dream for anyone like me who gets back pain from cutting out a bunch of pieces. The directions for the pattern were clear and had easy to interpret images.
I sew mostly indie patterns (as evidenced by my latest pattern reviews), but this was my first pattern by Sew House Seven and I wasn’t familiar with their sizing. Since the pattern is not fitted, I decided to go with an XS. I typically am between an XS and an S, but I didn’t want anything too baggy. The XS turned out to be perfect. The length of the sweater is a bit cropped, so if you want a longer sweater or have a long torso, I would recommend adding an inch or so.
Making the Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater
The biggest part of what made version 2 so simple and quick for me was the folded neckline. Version 1 has a neckband, waist band, and sleeve cuffs, which add pattern pieces (and likely time) to the equation. Version 2 however, has a simple folded neckline and split side seams and hem. For those sewers who aren’t yet comfortable sewing necklines, version 2 is a great option. You literally just fold the neckline down and then sew both sides of the together in the shoulder seams. Sew house seven has a great detailed walk through of this step on their blog.
If you’re new to sewing with knits, I’d say this is a great pattern to start with. The pattern walks you through how to double stitch which is a great way to ensure that our seams can stretch without bagging out or ripping. This was my first time seeing the double stitch explicitly called for in the pattern, typically I just use a zig zag stitch on it’s own. I didn’t find it to be much more time consuming and I’ll likely adopt this method for any future knit makes.
Modifications
No intentional modifications were made to this sweater. The fit and the sizing were straight-forward enough that I didn’t feel a need to make any changes. However, when I was sewing the bottom hem in the front my machine kept eating the fabric. In an attempt to pull the fabric out I accidentally ripped it. I ended up having to cut off about 1/2 an inch from the front hem to get rid of the hole. Thankfully, the side seam is a split seam so it kind of looks intentional to have the front so much shorter than the back.
Final thoughts on the Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater
This pattern is an overall win, whether you’re experienced with knits or brand new. For me, it’s the perfect sweater for San Francisco winters. The pattern is versatile enough to be a great lightweight layering piece or a heavier sweater for the winter. It’s such an easy sew I imagine there are many more of them in my future. If you’re still on the fence, I’ve created a Pinterest board that may spark your inspiration. Happy sewing xoxo!
