Burda 12.2024 #114 Sweatshirt

This was a rush job because I am already tired of being cold! Winters are not long here, and are not usually very cold compared to other parts of the country, but I am used to much warmer weather and get chilled easily. I had one ratty 40-year-old sweatshirt that had been washed so many times it had gotten pretty thin. Not warm. It was time for another.

 This is a men's pattern; this particular issue has patterns for men's sweatshirt and t-shirt (essentially the same pattern), and a bomber jacket and outdoor-type vest (again, variations of the same pattern). Nice basics for the guys. There have been some women's styles for heavier stable knits in recent issues, but they have all had some exaggerated style features and looked extremely oversized on the models. I wanted a classic sweatshirt. Normally I would rather use a pattern designed for female bodies, but sweatshirts are pretty much unisex garments so this one was my pick.

Choosing a size was a puzzle, but I didn't agonize over it too much because these things aren't fitted. The men's size charts include neck measurements, and that's what I used to zero in on a size. It put me in the second smallest men's size, and that seemed about right. Flat pattern measurements confirmed that it would go around me.

Pattern alterations: none. Style changes: the little triangle patch below the neckband was omitted because I don't have a coverstitch machine and didn't like my options for finishing it. It would have been a nice touch, though. I did wonder a little about adding seam allowances to the neck, sleeve, and hem bands, but decided that the proportions would be wrong if they were wider, so left them off. 

You can see the fit and depth of the armholes in the photos. It's loose and casual, but not very oversized. There's enough room for another layer underneath.

Califabrics has some Polartec Sweatshirt fabric and that is what this is made from. It's very soft and cuddly. My only complaint about it is that the public surface has a polyester-ish sheen to it, but since it feels so good to wear it gets a pass on that. Neither my sewing machine nor the serger were too happy about working with it, because of the thickness, I guess, but they muddled through with just a little grumbling.

This was a quick, warm project and a very welcome addition to my winter wardrobe. Wearing it as I type this entry!

Happy holidays to everyone who reads this. Wishing you a nice warm feeling on the inside as well as the outside!