Sweater – SewSophieLynn

Striped Swallow Designs Starry Night

As part of the Striped Swallow Designs Promo Team I have the opportunity to sew up a SSD pattern a handful of times a year. It’s such a great push for me to sew up all those pretty designs I’ve been crushing on. This round I finally sewed up a Starry Night Sweater for myself. I’ve made one for my girly and we both absolutely adored it so it’s about time I got one of my own. I now need one using the little sleeve hack I did on hers too!

For my version I used a super soft grey hacci sweater knit from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. I worried that it’d be too boring but I also know that I pull out ‘boring’ looks more often than the flashy prints I fall in love with. This simple grey sweater will go with everything and looks great with jeans or even a cute skirt for church. Versatile pieces are treasures to me!

The Starry Night is a drop shoulder with a gathered bishop sleeve. This look is EVERYWHERE right now and I’m so on board that train. I love a full sleeve with a gathered wrist (that cinched in wrist makes it so practical). These sleeves are gathered just at the center top making them just the right fullness.

The pattern includes both hemmed and banded bottom options as well as a top and dress length. I did the banded bottom and love that the band doesn’t cinch in keeping the relaxed silhouette. It works so well for my habitual front half-tuck!

Taking blog photos when it’s 40 degrees is totally a first world problem but I’ve got to give huge props to my cute eleven-year-old photographer for braving the chilly air with me. I love scrolling through all the pics for the ones where my nose is the least red and my chin doesn’t look like it’s quivering! This pic is the clenched teeth, trying to look as natural as possible despite freezing our boots off look 😉

Make sure you check out Striped Swallow Designs! I love their boho-vibe and the patterns are so easy to follow. If you’re looking for unique, on-trend pieces for you or your little girls, SSD is the place to be!

Toaster Sweater from Sew House 7

I’ve got a new addiction this winter. The Toaster Sweater patterns from Sew House 7 have become favorites to sew and wear. They check all the right boxes for me- comfortable, loose fitting, quick sews, and stylish.

I shared my first two over on the Cali Fabrics blog. I made this green one out of a mid weight sweatshirt fleece and it’s the ultimate in warmth and comfort. This particular sweatshirting has a bit of two way stretch that makes it easy to wear. It’s the first thing I grab on a snowy day.

The tall neckline of #1 is so cozy and I love the boxy fit of this version. The topstitching details add such a professional finish. I added length to this version to provide optimum coverage!

After sewing a version #1, I just had to try sewing #2. I used a luxurious stretch velvet and had the perfect holiday party top.

It’s loose and chic and I get compliments every time I wear it. I love that it looks dressy while still feeling like I’m wearing next to nothing. I think I’d wear velvet all day every day if I could.

So after those first two sweater all I could think about was sewing up another. When I laid eyes on this amazing quilted knit from Raspberry Creek Fabrics I knew it had to be a boxy sweater and the Toaster #1 was just what I was after.

I lined the body and sleeves in a lightweight double brushed poly and kept the length I added to the pattern previously. This fabric is a bit less stiff than my first version and the neck line has a slouchy effect. This top is incredibly warm and just about as pretty as a sweatshirt can get.

I found these darling tags at Hobby Lobby (in the yarn section) and like to add them to those special things I know will get extra love. Just a tiny detail that I adore that looks upscale from afar but only I know the care that went into this piece.

My latest Toaster just might be my favorite. This beauty happened when I stumbled across this fabric in my stash and realized I had just enough to make the cutest Toaster ever. This fabric is a remnant from Girl Charlee years ago, a sweatshirt fleece with absolutely no stretch. I literally could hold the leftover scraps in one hand when I was done cutting this out- totally meant to be!

I used the original cropped length and cropped the cuffs a bit also. Because of the lack of stretch in this fabric this top is a cinch to get on but man, oh man do I have to Houdini myself out of it. If I had thought through this sew a bit more I may have sized up to account for the lack of stretch but I sewed this on a whim from finding the fabric to sewn in under an hour. No time for actually thinking about it- just a quick, rewarding sew!

I really love how different fabrics take to this pattern. I’m thinking next fall I’d love a chunky sweater knit version of either pattern. I think a light jersey knit would look cute as a version 2 for spring or a drapier french terry for that matter.

Have you sewn up a Toaster? Any favorite fabrics you loved for yours? I might have sewn my last version this season (no guarantees 😉 but know it will be at the top of my list when cooler temps hit again this fall.

Love Notions Sloane Sweater

Fall is here and that means sweaters and sweatshirts are taking over our closets! The newest Love Notions patterns are perfect! The Women’s Sloane got a revamp and while she was at it she added a girls version too! (affl. links)

This post contains affiliate links. I became a Love Notions Affiliate AFTER falling in love with her patterns, testing process, and attention to details. Purchasing through the links provides me with a little kick back that of course gets spent on more fabric 😉

There are two different views- view A is a relaxed fit, curved hem top and view B is a boxy fit with bands (similar to your favorite sweatshirt). There are tons of options too! You can add a contrast yoke, elbow patches, kangaroo pocket and a hood. You’ll want to sew up a handful just to try them all!

I sewed up this version pre-revision and blogged about it over on the CaliFabrics blog. This super soft french terry version is one of my favorite makes! The fit didn’t change much during testing but many of the options are new including extended sizing and a FBA piece (so nice to have the work done for you!). This is a simple view B with lace added to the yoke seams.

I had just enough left of the rose french terry for this fun top for my girl. She picked some camo french terry (from LA) as a coordinate and I love this combo sooooo much. Pink and camo is just a sweet little match!

I love that these tops coordinate but aren’t exact copies. I’m sure we won’t wear them at the same time but it was pretty fun to get pics with my mini me!

Of course lil sis needed one too! Are you scrambling to fill in all the gaps in your kids cold weather wardrobe? I was shocked to see this girly had outgrown most of her long sleeved tops. A plain view B was a quick and easy solution! This is a quilted knit from Hobby Lobby last year. It’s a bit thicker than the recommended fabric but I love the boxier fit. The perfect loose fitting sweatshirt without being sloppy!

The grey and flannel version was an early tester version. The final pattern is a bit more slim but we still love this one! I can’t get enough of plaid flannel and french terry together- especially this mustard and grey combo. You might recognize it from this rad Halifax of mine 🙂

That yoke and those elbow patches are pretty fantastic!

This will be such a staple pattern for us. There are so many possibilities, such a great basic pattern that can be hacked to fit your needs.

I’ve got a little sneak peek of an easy hack that I’ll be sharing with you on the CaliFabrics blog real soon. I’ll link it here when it’s up!

Make sure to grab your copies on sale through Thursday, October 19th! (bundle, girls, women’s– affl. links)

Tallinn Sweater from Hey June

Every time Adrianna at Hey June releases a new pattern I swear there’s a choir of sewing angels singing the Hallelujah chorus and even though I can’t sing a note on key I’m smack dab in the middle of them all. The Tallinn Sweater is no different!

Like many of the other testers, I had given up on wearing a turtleneck years ago. They were always tight, itchy and totally uncomfortable. This sweater has totally redeemed turtlenecks for me!

Diana found this gorgeous, soft sweater knit on our fabric shopping trip and graciously split her spoils with us. It was just meant for this cute pattern.

I absolutely love how quick this sweater comes together. It’s all finished with bands so you can whip one up in no time at all.

There are two neck finishes- the turtleneck and a looser cowl option. I have some chunky sweater knit from LA just begging to be made into a cowl version.

So have you grabbed your copy yet? It comes in sizes XS-2XL and is perfect for all those cold, gloomy winter days. It’s on sale for a limited time so head on over now. I can’t wait to hear you joining in our Hallelujah chorus!

Watcha Wearin January Kids Style

As I was contemplating my second post for the Watcha Wearing January tour I knew I wanted to do it for kids clothes. My closet is probably only about half handmade but my girls are close to 90% (I’ve yet to make jeans for them since I can pick them up for ten bucks and pj’s are about half rtw since they are just too darn cute!). You guys see plenty of cute styled pics like the one above but I wanted to give you guys a glimpse into our reality.

I’d like to share what actually gets worn in our day to day. I never really know what will be a favorite and what will sit on the hanger. I always try to involve my kids when I sew and let them pick out fabrics and patterns and sometimes we hit the jackpot. For pattern tests I usually ask which girl likes the pattern the most. They have such different personalities that I’m getting pretty good at sewing for their own styles. My boys are all about the comfort and I know I can’t go wrong with comfy pants, raglans, and hoodies.

A glimpse into our laundry baskets this week will find:

This velvet Andromeda Top has been worn at least once a week since I made it. She has a matching one for her doll that is too cute too!

The Butterfly Cardigan is a new addition and both girls wear it whenever possible. It’s just such a cozy layering piece!

The Miss Mary Mack (affl. link) from Love Notions is another top that this one wears constantly. I really need to make her a few more. I just love the yoke detail and all the fun options it has.

This outfit of a Jolly Roger Raglan and Boxwood Joggers is his absolute favorite. It’s comfy, warm and in his favorite colors so of course it’s worn as soon as it’s clean.

For a real dose of reality I grabbed pics of my kids if they happened to be in mama made this week. They were usually taken after school or right after they woke up so they are lookin’ good!

Our Sunday looks:

You can find pretty pics and details on these here, here, and here.

After church casual:

Boxwood Joggers and a poncho I knit way before I even had a daughter (this is one of those things that kills me that she loves!).

School looks:

We have a super old Skipper Top, Baby bear joggers, Jolly Roger Raglan with cowl, Blair Top, and Hatteras Hoodie with Mini Hudson Pants.

It was fun to reflect on sewing for my kids and what makes something actually get worn. What are your go-to patterns for your kids? Anything that surprised you that they’ve fallen in love with?

Make sure to stop by all the other stops on the tour this week:

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Sunday, January 22nd: Sewing By Ti , Embrace Everyday

Monday, January 23rd: Sewing By Ti, Tenille’s Thread

Tuesday, January 24th: Robynne & the Bobbin, Harper + Lu

Wednesday, January 25th: Mahlica Designs

Thursday, January 26th: Sew Sophie Lynn, Creative Counselor, Crafty Like a Rox

Friday, January 27th: Everything Your Mama Made and More

Saturday January 28th: Sewingly Michelle, Sewing By Ti, Wild and Wanderful

Make sure you head over to Sewing by Ti to enter two HUGE giveaways!

Patterns for Pirates Cocoon and Butterfly Cardigans

The newest pattern from Patterns for Pirates has totally won us over. The Butterfly Cardigan is the youth version of the Cocoon Cardigan. With all of it’s options it will be a year round staple!

For our first version, I did a dressy cropped version out of stretch velvet. It is incredibly soft and I love that it can be worn over dresses for church or thrown over a tee.

There are two different band widths giving this cardigan multiple looks. I did the tall bands on all of ours for a longer, chunkier look.

There are also multiple sleeve lengths and cuff bands or hem options. We did long sleeves with tall bands on ours too.

After her cropped version she was begging for a long version as well. These are such a quick sew that I was very happy to whip one up for her.

I adore this version sooooo much! I used a midweight sweater knit I picked up from Wal-Mart for a steal. Our Wal-Mart rarely has those $1/yard knits I hear so much about but this was one of them. I’m so glad I got a ton of it because it was perfect to do matching sweaters.

The construction on the mama version is exactly the same as the girls so mine came together in no time. I really would love to make a handful more. They are such an adorable layering piece!

I had been looking for a new cocoon cardigan pattern and this one checks all the boxes. Quick sew, easy instructions, multiple length options, a variety of sleeve choices- winner, winner chicken dinner!

I have the hardest time taking it off each day!

You can pick up the bundle here, too!

I have been loving my Silhouette that I got for Christmas. I love graphic tees and it’s so fun to make our own. Thread and Grain has just recently started offering her designs as digital files and I am totally loving having all the work done for me. You can check out the designs here– she’s got something for everyone. This ‘Fabric is my love language’ is absolutely perfect for me!

I have a few lined up for my kiddos but we started with this pretty ‘Hello Gorgeous’. I can’t wait to make more!

Slouchy Cardi from Heidi and Finn

My girls closets are overflowing but they always seem to be in need of something. This time of year it’s sweaters and layers!

This Christmas break my goal is to fill that whole in their wardrobe. The Slouchy Cardigan from Heidi and Finn is just perfect to do that.

It’s such a quick sew and comes together so well. The shape is so on trend and adorable on too!

This picky girl loves this cozy sweater! I used this fun double sweater knit from Cali Fabrics. It is a fantastic weight- not too heavy to sew but still warm and thick. I grabbed the brown colorway for myself!

I grabbed this girl right in the door from school and she was thrilled to throw on her new sweater. She’s been going like crazy and I’m excited to relax with her this Christmas break. She’s been hanging in my sewing room with me and designing a few of her own tops that we are excited to sew up together. I love this age and this girl really is a gem!

Are you sewing over the holidays? Fried from all the Christmas sewing and taking a break? I’m looking forward to a little sewing and a lot of relaxing!

Tag: Sweater