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Flannel Linden Sweatshirt // Imagine Gnats Contributor // Sewing For Women

Thursday, November 16, 2017


Hi guys! Today you will find me just hanging out in my new cozy flannel/knit sweatshirt! *Who am I kidding, time is catapulting into the holiday season, I only wish I was sitting on my couch with a cup of coffee!!

I am however wearing this sweatshirt today. 😍


Be sure to head over to Imagine Gnats and read THE POST for all the details on how I used flannel for a knit pattern! I love having this version in what will be a large collection of Linden sweatshirts... :)



Velvet Toaster Sweater #1 // Sewing For Women

Monday, November 13, 2017

 Velvet Toaster Sweater #1 // Sewing For Women

You guuuuuuyyyys. This sweater. I'm going to live in it always! At least while the weather is cold. ;)

Velvet Toaster Sweater #1 // Sewing For Women

I made this sort of epic pair of plum pants (read about them HERE), and I needed an epic top to wear with them for the holidays. Well, as you may know, velvet is hot, HOT, this year again! I had the fabric for my pants sorted out and I remembered having previously drooled over this blush pink stretch velvet from Blackbird Fabrics, so I made it happen. 

I was a little worried that I might not get the fabric in time to make this vision come to life for today's post*, but the fabric arrived in the nick of time! In about 16 hours (including sleeping time) from getting this fabric in my hands, I had pre-washed, cut and sewn this glorious sweater.

*Today's post being my post over at Imagine Gnats, celebrating the release of this amazing Sasha Trousers pattern!

Velvet Toaster Sweater #1 // Sewing For Women

I had been wanting to make a Toaster Sweater #1 this fall. I made two versions of Toaster #2 last year and was just feeling the urge for a turtleneck version. I'm not sure when the idea came to make this pattern with this velvet, but it is perfection.

Velvet Toaster Sweater #1 // Sewing For Women


The velvet is dreamy soft and oh so drapey! It feels every bit as good to wear it as it looks in the photos.

Velvet Toaster Sweater #1 // Sewing For Women

I'm really not kidding when I say I want to make all my wardrobe staples in stretch velvet!!

Velvet Toaster Sweater #1 // Sewing For Women

Like Toaster #2, this pattern comes together super fast! I cut and sewed it in 2 hours. For me, y'all, that is lightning fast! It would have been even faster in a jersey or ponte.

My favorite thing about this pattern is that it can be made completely on the serger. No sewing machine required at all! The pattern instructions suggest topstitching most all of the seams with a double needle if desired, but I definitely wanted to leave the velvet as is.

Velvet Toaster Sweater #1 // Sewing For Women

If you are wondering about how stretch velvet handles, it is basically the same as most knits! Care instructions will say to dry clean only, but Gabriella from Chalk and Notch (who I think is the velvet QUEEN), told me she just washes it like anything else and it holds up fine! Last year I made my daughter a velvet dress and I can also attest that it washes with zero problems. 

I prewashed this in cold water and tumble dried. I plan to hang dry from here on out to increase longevity. This is how I handle all of my handmades anyway, so it's no switch at all!

As far as sewing and cutting, I find folding it with right sides together is the best way to cut since the nap "grabs" to itself and make for a much more stable cutting situation. Also, be sure that you are cutting all pieces with the direction of the nap going the right way!


For sewing, sewing only two seams together at once, such as at the arms and side seams, is super easy. Because again, the nap grabs onto itself. Sewing 3 layers together becomes a little more tricky, because the pieces that are wrong sides together are very shift. But just use lots of pins, go slow and be patient! It will all come together! 

Velvet Toaster Sweater #1 // Sewing For Women

Since our time change here in eastern USA, I am finding that my outdoor lighting for photos is seriously problematic! My usual photo spots are no longer in a good path of the sun, so I struggled getting photos for this outfit! Is it too much to ask for summertime lighting and wintertime temps? Lol.

The photos above are all with very bright mid-morning sunlight, and below is a shot at dusk. Isn't it gorgeous in both situations? Oh man I love this fabric loads and loads. 

Velvet Toaster Sweater #1 // Sewing For Women

You need velvet in your life. It's the truth!!

Here's the link again for this particular one: Blush Pink Stretch Velvet


Sasha Trousers // Imagine Gnats Contributor // Sewing For Women

Sasha Trousers // Sewing For Women

Happiest of Mondays, friends!

Are you ready for the stretch trouser pattern of your dreams? Closet Case Patterns releases their newest pattern, the Sasha Trousers today!! It is absolutely glorious.

Sasha Trousers // Sewing For Women

You can read all about how the sewing and fitting went for me, as well as details on the perfect fabric to sew them with over at Imagine Gnats today! CLICK HERE.

Sasha Trousers // Sewing For Women

And the details of my sweater I'm wearing with them is also on my personal blog today as well.

Sasha Trousers // Sewing For Women

Sasha Trousers // Sewing For Women

I needed an office attire holiday party appropriate outfit to wear this year. Done and done! And I'll probably sneak it into Thanksgiving festivies as well!

I'm absolutely in love with this outfit. I know there will be more velvet and more trousers in my near future!!
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