Month: March 2018

American Rag

I’ve been racking my brain lately on how to finish up my red sweater knit Walmart fabric. Coming in at a whopping 5 yds, it takes up quite a it of my stash. I had bought 2 other fabrics both at 5 yds a piece and I can create about 3 items from each. So far in red, I’ve made a long sleeved red swing dress. 2 more to go!I have a small bit of navy sweater knit in a similar weight that I could use with the red. I chose to make another raglan sleeved Toaster Sweater by Sew House Seven. I made one previously in the same style as the one in the post. It was floral and grey. Unfortunately, I made it a bit short. I tend to tug at the bottom. This one I was going to make sure had a good length.

Here’s the changes to the pattern:

  • Funnel/mock turtleneck to a crew neck
  • Vented hem to a curved hem (a little longer in the back)
  • Long sleeve to 3/4
  • Add about 5″ or more to length


To make the crew neck, I take a pattern piece from another pattern. I draw it on the fabric with chalk then line up the shoulders from the toaster pattern and continue. The curve is free hand. I mark the fabric again with my chalk at a curve I find acceptable. It sometimes takes me a few marks until I’m happy. Better to do it with the chalk and not after it’s cut.


I was planning on using the navy for the sleeves. I realized the little bit of fabric I had was not going to be long enough to do the sleeve in one piece. Time to make it work! It would look silly to hook two pieces of navy together mid sleeve. The best thing to do would be to stripe the sleeves with the red. I figure narrow, wide, narrow would be a good pattern.


I also didn’t have the proper width for the fabric it that would be okay because the sleeves were always big and this would make them more fitted. This also lead to me having to cut down the body a bit too at the bust. Fitted sleeve and everything else being super billowy wouldn’t look right. I eyeballed this with my chalk and then hacked it off.


I have an American feeling shirt. It’s so comfy. This fabric is soft and it swings just right at my hips. No worries of this being too short. The knit is so light I’m not worried about getting too hot in the spring heat. Love it!