A Sparkly Toaster Sweater

I am not one of those people who only buys supplies for a project when I need them. If I lived in a large metropolitan area with lots of brick-and-mortar suppliers, I might be, but I live in a rural area with few choices. I will admit that that has led to some hoarding tendencies, or as DD#2 describes them, “apocalypse preparedness buying habits.”

[One of our college friends commented, back in the spring of 2020, that I was the only person she knew who actually was prepared for a pandemic and lockdowns.]

When I get hit with a creative urge, the last thing I want to do is spend hours and hours searching for the supplies I need, either in town or online. I want to be able to pull some remnants out of the stash, put together a quilt sandwich, and produce a stack of potholders.

I’m trying to find a balance. A few weeks ago, on a sewing podcast, the host said, “There will always be more fabric,” although I immediately thought of that period of time during the supply chain disruptions when Kona Black was scarcer than hens’ teeth. I do buy fabric even when I don’t have immediate plans for it, and sometimes that means it marinates in the stash for a while.

About a year ago, I picked up some slinky knit black and emerald green special occasion fabric on clearance at Joanns.

I left it out for a few weeks while I considered potential projects for it. I finally had to admit that it was beyond my skill level at the time—very stretchy and hard to work with—so I stuck it in the stash and forgot about it.

One of my friends at church asked me a while back about the Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater. I said that I hadn’t bought the pattern because it was a very boxy, cropped design and one I didn’t consider flattering on my body. That pattern flitted across my radar screen again recently, and I realized that there are two versions. Toaster Sweater #1 is a raglan design with a wide banded bottom and cuffed sleeves. Toaster Sweater #2 was the one I had passed on.

Now that we are no longer being held hostage by the scourge of low-rise pants, I am willing to consider some shorter sweaters to wear with my high-rise, wide-leg Liz Claiborne jeans. I thought that Toaster Sweater #1 would be a good pattern to try. I bought the pattern that contains both versions and traced off Sweater #1.

The husband and I are going to a Christmas party this weekend hosted by one of the concrete suppliers. I want something dressy to wear, but not over the top. I immediately thought of that slinky black and green fabric. It occurred to me that the Toaster Sweater #1 might be a good fit for it. One of the ways to handle excessively stretchy fabric is to have a garment with a lot of seams to provide structure and control. I needed to make a muslin of the pattern anyway. If my idea worked, I would have a top to wear to the party. If it bombed, I was out two yards of hard-to-work-with clearance fabric. And I like raglans.

I chose to make the size 14 based on the finished measurements given in the pattern. The fabric was a joy to cut (/sarcasm/) because it waned to slide all over the cutting table. Testing serger settings was a must. I had to bump the differential on the serger up to 1.25 to keep the seams from stretching. The garment went together quickly, though—it took me about an hour and a half—and because the bottom and cuffs are banded, it can be made completely on the serger. No coverstitch hems required.

The finished sweater is not much to look at on the dress form, but it fits me perfectly. Even the length is good.

The pattern calls for topstitching the seams. I didn’t think that was necessary, nor would it be fun with that fabric. I will give the seams a light steaming instead. This fabric is not as heavy as what is called for in the pattern—I should have hacked that turtleneck into a cowl—but all those seams do keep the fabric under control. Other than those issues, I think this pattern was a good choice for this fabric.

Toaster Sweater #1 has gone into the tried-and-true pattern pile. I have a few other sweater knits in the stash that will work nicely and plan to make at least one or two more.

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Yes, I realize that I made a top yesterday instead of working on a quilt. I had intended to spend the day with the Q20, but the schedule got hijacked in the morning and I had to adjust. Barring any unforeseen issues, I should be home all day tomorrow. I will quilt while waiting for the recliners to be delivered.

Our sewing group has its Christmas potluck/gift exchange today. I’m making a quiche with bacon, mushrooms, and Swiss cheese. The chickens are cranky because they are stuck in the coop, but they are still laying.