Snuggly Solar Sweater

I was sent some of this loop back jersey to review for Minerva Crafts and I knew immediately that it was going to become a Papercut Pattern’s Solar Sweater, a pattern that I had been eyeing up for a while and was in fact the only thing I snapped up in the Black Friday sales last year!

This was my first experience of using a Papercut Pattern and I was very impressed. The instructions and illustrations were very clear and I like that there are two different options included in the pattern – as this loop back jersey is a snuggly medium weight, I obviously went for the sweatshirt option – but I like that come summer, I can reuse this pattern to make some fun, frilly t-shirts! Incidentally, as the sweatshirt option is finished with a neckband, a hem band and cuffs, it is an incredibly quick sew! The only hemming in the whole garment is on the ruffles, and they went in very quickly and smoothly with no issues. I wasn’t trying to rush and I easily made this in one night.

I must admit I wasn’t 100% sure about this pattern; it is slightly outside my style comfort zone and felt like it was a bit of a risk for me. I am not usually a ruffles person and was not sure about emphasising my upper arms but I am so happy I tried something a bit different as I love it. I haven’t wanted to take it off since I made it, I can’t believe it looks quite stylish but feels super comfortable – definitely secret pyjamas!

I think I will definitely be getting some more mileage out of this pattern, I plan to make some of the ruffley t-shirts in the summer but I am also thinking about lengthening this sweatshirt version into a dress! I also think that without the ruffles it’s fairly similar to the TATB Nora top so I might also make a couple of plain versions. Who knows?! Maybe I have a new tried-and-true pattern on my hands!

For the full review of this pattern and gorgeous fabric, make sure you head over to the Minerva Crafts Blog for the full blog post. This loop back jersey comes in several different colours and I am so impressed with it (it’s yarn-dyed!) I am seriously intending to order more!