Wednesday 29 April 2015

Seamwork Astoria Sweater

My sewing machine has been quieter than usual recently because I've been engrossed in my current knitting and crochet projects, but I did also find time to sew this quick little project last week. It's the Astoria sweater, which is one of the patterns included in this month's issue of Seamwork from Colette Patterns.


I subscribed to Seamwork from the first issue, so have a little collection of patterns building up ready to sew now, but the Astoria is the first one that I've actually made. The cropped style instantly appealed to me because it's a great length for wearing with my many fit and flare dresses (yes, I'm looking like a bit of a Colette fan girl in these photos and wearing it with my Moneta), and a little sweater is a very welcome addition to a pretty dress on spring days like the one in these photos which look lovely and sunny but still aren't exactly warm.


The other thing that drew me to the pattern was that the blue sample in the pattern photos reminded me of the warm jersey I used for my latest Bronte top, and I remembered that I still had a fairly sizeable chunk of it left. Thankfully for me, there was just enough there to make the shorter sleeved version of Astoria - yay for "free" fabric!


I made a medium at the bust, grading out to a large at the waist. I compared the length with the pattern pieces I altered from my second Enid sweater, and on the basis of that I also added an inch to the length for the Astoria. The length is now just right for me, and I'm pleased with the fit in general.


The Seamwork patterns are all designed to be fairly quick projects to create staple wardrobe pieces, and the Astoria definitely fits into that category for me. I think I might need a whole rainbow of them to go with various dresses and skirts.

The pattern is rated as taking one hour and, if you exclude the time taping together the PDF and cutting the fabric, that was fairly accurate I think. Everything goes together nicely and the instructions are thorough and clear so there's nothing to cause any problems here. Another reason to make more of them!


Have you sewn any Seamwork patterns? I'm definitely keen to make a Bristol skirt - it looks so comfy and, as an added bonus, it's named after my home town so it must be good!


17 comments:

  1. Yet for quick and easy makes. I love thing like this that you can layer so beautifully. Great work.

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    1. Thank you Louise! Yes, it'll definitely be great for layering!

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  2. I really like your sweater and I am having an eye on the pattern :) I think te color looks great on you :)

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  3. Cute! I haven't seen very many of the Seamwork patterns get made, but I'm always curious what they are like. That sweater looks like a winner!

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    1. I know, I was expecting to see more Seamwork patterns popping up on blogs - I'm sure there must have been plenty of people subscribing after all. This pattern's definitely a winner for me!

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  4. oo I love it! this makes me want to try this pattern!

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  5. Now you are making me spend money!! I have been on the fence from the start but have just signed up today. Whoops also some purple warm jersey fell into my shopping basket. Seriously you look great. The colour and style really suit you thanks K xXx

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    1. Ooops, sorry for encouraging you to spend money! If it helps though, I think it's money well spent :)

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  6. This is lovely! What a great, versatile top. I haven't tried any of the seamworks patterns, maybe I should look them up.

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    1. Thank you! It is a very wearable top. I'd definitely recommend checking out the Seamwork patterns - they seem to be quite good value if you're looking for some nice, quick projects.

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  7. I've made ths oslo cardigan which came together well, I'm trying the leggings this weekend so you can pop over to my blog in a week or so to see how successful they were! Love your sweater, do you think it will hold its shape?

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    1. Ah yes, I think I remember seeing your Oslo cadigan now you mention it - I'll look forward to seeing the leggings too! I'm hoping the sweater will hold its shape - I made a Renfrew and a Bronte top out of the same material earlier this year and they're both doing OK so far!

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  8. What a great little jumper. Perfect for layering with pretty dresses. I have been so tempted to sign up to Seamwork for the patterns but think I'd better work through what I have already. I'm far too easily distracted!

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    1. Thank you Jo! I know what you mean about being easily distracted, I have the same problem - shiny new projects always seem to jump to the top of the queue ahead of things I've been planning for a while!

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  9. A beautifully smiled model, I like it! The sweater is also wonderful

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