• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Reluctant Sewist HomepageThe Reluctant Sewist

  • Stash
  • Makes
  • About
  • Shop

Linden Sweatshirt

February 3, 2017

So…this sweatshirt was a bit of a disaster to make. But, even with the long list of things that went wrong, it’s still wearable and looks great. This was my first knit project.

I cut a size 8, with no modifications. Even the bust fits well. If I went by the body measurement chart, I’d have made a 12 but I wanted it to be more slim fitting. There is SO MUCH ease in this pattern.

I worked at Stitch with Tusarebecca for this one. We decided to tackle our first knit garment together. This was good, because if I made all these mistakes at home I’d have been so annoyed, but I just rolled with it. Of course, if I was working at home with no distractions, would have these mistakes even been made?

Here are a list of mistakes and headaches in making this top:

  • Chose black fabric. This was really stupid with the two white cats. It’s also hard to see the herringbone pattern of the knit, which is a shame. I didn’t love the light gray, and wish there was a medium gray with this fabric
  • Chose really expensive fabric. This is probably a $60-$70 sweatshirt. For my next, I’m going to go to Fabric Place Basement or Joann and get something much cheaper. I’ll also use my own serger to try that out.
  • Cut things out a little funny, maybe because the fabric was so thick, but the pieces were all slightly different sizes. This wasn’t that big of an issue.
  • Cut out two right sleeves. We decided to cut out all the pieces flat, and both of us managed to forget to flip the sleeve for the second.
    • To fix this, instead of buying more expensive fabric, we just sewed a wedge onto the part that needed some extra, and recut it out. It looks like a weird little design feature.
  • Somehow managed to make a big hole in one armpit because I didn’t match up all the seams. Later when I tried to fix it with the serger, it somehow hiccuped and made a bigger hole. I will be fixing that by hand.
  • When I sewed on the hem band, I didn’t do a good job of getting all 3 layers in the seams at the side seams, and when I went back over it with the serger I caught some body fabric in it making a weird gather.
  • The neckband came out a little narrow.

This was all very annoying. I still need to weave in the serger ends, and am debating doing a line of stitching around the neckline to finish (per the instrucitons).

Anyway, kind of frustrating but it looks pretty good.

Filed Under: 2017 makes, knit, shirts

Footer

Here’s a @noodlehead531 #woolandwaxtote with som Here’s a @noodlehead531 #woolandwaxtote with some amazing canvas from Japan. Which cloud are you? I’m really feeling the angry lightning cloud.
Here’s my #closetcoreblanca dress in Merchant & Here’s my #closetcoreblanca dress in Merchant & Mills laundered linen from @stitchsewshop! I’ve been wanting to make a dress version of this pattern for two years. This fabric is very good. Also my plants are very good.
Here’s my second pieced quilt, made for my very Here’s my second pieced quilt, made for my very special bff @s.a.m.r.i.v! We met 40 years ago as tiny bebes in the park, and through the years we drifted apart several times but always found each other again at various dance recitals, school field trips, beach clubs, fabric stores, and summer jobs. The universe kept shoving us together til it stuck. This quilt is a hug from afar. I might not be able to get up to New Jersey frequently but this quilt will be there for cozy/comforting times as needed. 

I picked out my fabric, then used a quilt generator at savoreverystitch.com (the last slide), then imported it into Photoshop and colored over it (second to last slide), basically changing the whole thing, but it was an awesome starting place.
It’s our 9 year anniversary and 22 year friendiv It’s our 9 year anniversary and 22 year friendiversary so here’s a nice photo! 📸 @maggiewinters_
Follow me!

About

I'm a graphic designer, small business owner, occasional knitter, and reluctant sewist. This is my sewing notebook. Read more

Email me

Copyright © 2023 the Reluctant Sewist unless otherwise noted