I have been inspired by a few bloggers to make this Sewhouse 7 Toaster sweater, but when I saw Hélène’s, with the pockets, I was smitten and had to get sewing straight away.
I made version 2, and scraped it out of a tiny bit of fleece that I bought to make a small person tracksuit when Tom was a baby!
The advantage of using fabric this old is that it is 100% cotton, which is quite scarce now.
Hélène noted that the top is very short, and I would have lengthened it, except I didn’t have enough fabric. As it was I had to cut the sleeves in half and join them. I disguised the join with a bit of reverse coverstitching, and so that it wouldn’t look too obvious, I made a little design feature by using three lines of coverstitching on the right arm, and single on the left.
Hélène added pockets to hers, so in an act of shameless copying I decided that I wanted pockets too. Then I started fossicking for fabric to use (I didn’t have enough blue fleece) and found this navy blue strip left over from one of Mark’s rugby tops. I then got totally creative by folding it over and creating two pockets from the one strip of fabric. One is easy to use, as above, and the other is a little more awkward, but is fabulous for my phone.
I am beginning to think that 2017 might be the year of creative pockets as I’m on a roll, having created two :).
I did get a little boastful on Instagram about my coverstitching as I pretty much mastered going round the corners on the hem, which I’m trying to show here. I’m standing strangely as I just noticed a cobweb high up on the wall and got distracted! But look at those corners!!
The obligatory back view.
The verdict: This is a really nice pattern, which went together really well. It only took a couple of hours to make, with most of my time being taken up with fussing around over the pocket and the coverstitching. I am not wholly convinced about the neckline. It is caught down at the shoulder seams, with the remainder of it floating free, which means that, as I am not a careful dresser, it can look a bit wrinkled instead of being a nice smooth funnel neck, as per the one on the pattern. I made this a couple of weeks ago, thinking that I wouldn’t be able to wear it for a few months, but the weather went completely pear shaped today, and it’s currently sitting on 16°C, which is freezing, in fact I just heard that it’s the coldest February day on record,so I popped the top on and I’ve been as warm as toast. It is really comfortable and quietly smart for a sweatshirt style top, and I’ve decided that I really quite like the short length. Version 1 is on my list, when I’ve found the right fabric in my stash.
Love the stitching detail on this. How do you do the coverstitching around the sleeves with a serger? Do you do it flat then then sew the sleeve?
Thank you, and yes, I coverstitched the sleeves flat and then sewed them up. I had to ensure that the coverstitching would meet at the seams, which is the only slightly tricky bit.
This toaster sweater really looks fantastic on you. You are now a coverstitching pro, Sue! I had the same thoughts about the neckline, but finally it is quite stable and I like its Audrey-Hepburnesque vibe. Can’t wait to see your version 1. Why don’t we make it together (on each side of the planet) this week-end and post it on IG next Monday? Are you game? xx
Oh nice idea!! Then we can wear together for my visit!!
I love the pocket. That’s a neat idea. I’ve been curious what type of coverstitch machine you have, since you’ve been doing so much reverse coverstitching. I finally got one (Brother 2340CV) and I’m not sure the stitch quality on mine is consistent enough to use it for reverse coverstitching.
I have a Bernina L220 and a Babylock Evolution. I tend to now leave the Babylock set up for overlooking and use the bernina for cs. It does spit the dummy from time to time though.
This looks lovely Sue! I really love all your contrasting stitching. You’ve really mastered that coverstitch!
Getting there!
Fabulous work with those corners using the coverstitch. Beautiful colour on you and those pockets are so creative.
Thank you Christine. I hardly ever wore blue until a couple of years ago and now I am a complete convert
You’ve done a great job making this your own with the custom pockets and coverstitching. Just wondering, are your doors really small or are you a giant in real life?
Lol! Small doors!!!
Awwww, come on, spill the beans, how did you get those coverstitched corners so perfect?! Terrific jumper mate – what the heck is happening to your weather over there?
Our weather! Raining for the next couple of days ☔️ good for sewing though!!
Ps I am just considering a tutorial on the cs
Love this version! Any tips on coverstitching those vents? Love the pocket too!
I might do a little tutorial on the corners and then I won’t forget either!!
Yes please! I attempted to do it with mine but ended up having to unpick it all as it was a mess!
Have you mastered unpicking? I might add that to the tutorial. It’s been a bit delayed as I’m doing some pattern testing with a short timeline, but it’s coming!
It’s lovely. Great decorative features.
Thank you so much! 😊
Such a clever pocket idea! You kept the design minimalist and definitely added interest and practicality!
Thank you, I knew it would get busy with the cover stitching and I didn’t want regular pockets so had to get creative!
You are a cover stitch master! And I love those pockets
Getting better with the cover stitch, and I’m pleased with my pocket design.
This is gorgeous. Love the cover stitching and pockets.
Thank you Tammy, the pockets are so simple, but I do rather like them.
Great top. I love that neckline for winter casual wear.
It’s a really nice top for cooler weather. It would be good in a more fluid fabric too.
Great personal version of the Toaster sweater. The reverse coverstitch has again proven that is a great decorative stitch. Looking forward to the tutorial on doing the corners on the coverlock.
Thank you Sonja, I now look for patterns that lend themselves to coverstitching. A bit pathetic really…
Cover stitch cornering envy going on here! Yes please to a tutorial! I’ve only had mine a few months, and didn’t even know that corners was possible. 😃
thank you, and yes, I promise to do it next week!
That pocket is fabulous Sue and I am in awe of your coverstitching. I look forward to your tutorial.
Gah, I hope I remember how to do it – better practice!
Another creative pockiet! Fabulous. By the way, what is “fossicking”?
Thank you. “Fossicking” means rummaging or searching.
Love the pockets and the cover stitching hiding the join. It all looks like the designer (you) meant it to be!
Haha, I need to admit that it evolved as I went along!
Ingenious! Love the way you fudged the sleeves. Never would have guessed that it wasn’t a design element. And what clever pockets! The contrast pocket and stitching just makes it!
Thank you, I felt it needed a lift.
Great use of a small amount of fabric and your coverstitching around the corners is very impressive.
Thanks Sharon, I am really working on my coverstitching technique.