My collection of jersey jumpers & knit dresses | Autumn winter sewing inspiration | Pattern reviews

[@thenorthernsewist]

Fabulous, thankyou. I know you don’t regard the Billie as one of your favourites, but seeing it on you has actually made me want to get the pattern, I thought you looked really great in it, in all your versions, poofy sleeves an all! 👍🏻😀😘XXX

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Aw thank you! I think it's just how you feel in it yourself isn't it. I love how it looks on everyone else, I hope you enjoy making it :) xx

[@amdelorey]

Thanks for this great review. I find it really helpful when you talk about what you like and don't like (high necks and back lifting) which are similar to me. A review of your various versions provides lots of opportunity to think creatively about these patterns.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you for watching I’m glad you found it helpful 😊 xx

[@HeathersideCarrie]

Thank you. Great video showing all your knit tops and dresses. Trying to decide which one to go for as a basic sweatshirt and I didn't realise the Jarrah had other views as well as the one with the tie front. So will probably try that one. Thanks again.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Yes, I would really recommend the Jarrah it's a great basic x

[@janetyler1642]

My favorite knit sweater patterns are the Jarrah and Linden too! I have also made a few Toasters and really like the Page hoodie. I had the same problem with the Billie and just found it too fitted for me. I love all your fabric choices, especially your last Toaster ❤️

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thanks so much for watching I’ll have to have a look at the Page hoody I’m always on the look out for new cosy patterns!! Interesting you felt the same about the Billie 😊 x

[@janspenno2241]

Really enjoyable. A couple of standout knits for me are the toaster v 2 and I have a few. The other is the Stella hoodie from Tilly. I wear them a lot

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

I love the Toaster V 2 I can't wait to make another one! I've yet to make the Stella Hoodie but I love the joggers. Thank you for watching xx

[@englishroses2464]

Great video! 👍👍👍👍

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you for watching xx

[@RachelBearn]

Loved watching this! I am still to have a go at knit fabrics but sewing my first Billie very soon… 💕

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thanks for watching! I'm sure you'll love making the Billie I can't wait to see it xx

[@caroltye6436]

I love tatb Freya at the moment😍

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

I love the Freya on other people for me the neck is a bit clingy 😊 Thank you for watching xx

[@marionmathews9852]

I found this video brilliant and full of useful information. I’m obsessed with sewing jersey fabrics and I’ve only been sewing for 5 months. The Billie sweater dress was my 2nd make and it turned out so well that I’ve now made 8 dress versions and 2 top versions. I loved the look of the Heather pattern because of its construction, so I think that I will get that. You mentioned a few patterns that I would like actually. All your makes looked amazing. You use such wonderful colours.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you I’m really glad you found it helpful. Sewing jersey is great isn’t it it can be so quick xx

[@marionmathews9852]

I think that’s why I like it so much……great for a quick fix!

[@aoifehoulihan6451]

Really enjoyed this video. All of your makes are fab! I’m waiting on the toaster pattern to arrive, can’t wait to give it a go. Love the Billie, southbank and linden too 😍

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

I’m going to have to try the Southbank!! Thank you for watching I’m glad you enjoyed it xx

[@suebuzz]

I love the look of the Heather Dress. I made the Nina Lee Southbank dress in a Navy Cable knit fabric and I love it 😊

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

I’ve yet to try the south bank dress it does look lovely I keep eyeing it up 😊

[@thebrumstitcher495]

Lovely to see your all your makes, I love the grey version maybe you could wear a colourful scarf if you feel it’s a bit too grey. My favourite jumper pattern is I am Apollon, I’ve made at least 4. But I’m currently sewing a Jarrah and have plans for a Southbank dress too 😊

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

That’s a great suggestion thank you! I think I must be missing something with the Southbank I must be the only person who hasn’t made it haha. Maybe one to try this winter. Thank you for watching xx

[@fionnualaryan7584]

Thank you. 😊

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you for watching ❤️

[@irishcamper2106]

Really like when you do these videos especially as you focus on the fit more than the sizing which most people can work out for themselves. I’ve made a couple of the short sleeve Grainline sweatshirts and they are great to wear over a long sleeve tee or thermal top if you just want to keep your core warm but not have sleeves in the way.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

I’m glad to hear you found it helpful thank you for watching! I must try the short sleeved Linden I should imagine it’s a good scrap buster too xx

[@katejames6439]

That was so interesting and helpful. I have struggled long and hard with the Billie, particularly with the high neck riding up all the time. I eventually solved it by doing a small high round back adjustment, and then taking a small amount off all around the neckline. I have the same issue with all of Tilly's patterns. (Sew Essential has a brilliant blog about doing a high round back adjustment.)

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Ah yes that is interesting I do think it’s seems to be common with Tilly patterns my Indigo is high on the neck too and tends to slip back so I’ll look at changing that next time too. Thank you for that tutorial suggestion that’s very helpful xx

[@marionmathews9852]

I forgot to mention in my comment. Before I made my first Billie I’d seen lots of comments about the neck. So, for my very first make I did the neck hack that I’d seen on KZbin. It turned out great and all of my others were made the same way.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Ah I had no idea there was anything on KZbin maybe I’ll look that up for my next version 😉

[@marionmathews9852]

It is on there, but I just can’t remember who by.

[@susankidd9963]

Hi Sally loved the video as usual very helpful as far as the types of material you use with the different patterns.I had some pieces of knit fabric left over from a couple of recent makes so I made the Jarrah sweater but didn’t put sleeves in just turned the seam allowance in, they look great with a blouse or tee underneath nice and warm. X

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

What a great idea do to that with the Jarrah I really like wearing my ready to wear pullover so maybe I need to try this too. Thank you for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed the video x

[@ruthlanwarne8978]

Interesting video Sally. You have a lot of sweatshirts! I was interested to see the fabrics with cosy insides most. I’m just making the linden in the fabric you’re wearing. It’s very lightweight so I’ll need to wear a base layer. I’ve tried the Jarrah but think I made it too large as it swings out at the back.I’ve been very successful with the Billie and made quite a few versions. I really like the gathered sleeves and made one in cotton jersey. I think I do prefer the standard dress but would like to try the gathers just in the cuff too. I didn’t like the length of the top version and lengthened it 2 inches but still not sure. I lengthen my dresses 3 inches to knee length on me (5.6) I make the size 3 but it’s a roomy style, far roomier than the Southbank pattern which I love. I really like wearing these dresses as feel as if I’ve made an effort but still feel warm and comfortable. Oh and I always lower the neckline but just recently made someone else the higher neck because she preferred it. I love making jersey garments and in the middle of a Jessie Coatigan by soi. I’m finding the pattern hard to follow actually which is strange as I’ve made a few cardigans this style from the big 4. Thank you and happy sewing 😊

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Hi Ruth, thank you for watching. Yes that AB fabric is quite lightweight, definitely more of a spring/summer sweater for me too I think. I must try the Southbank, everyone seems to love it so much. I hope you manage to get your Jessie sewn up soon it’s unusual for SOI instructions to be that way isn’t it xx

[@julschristey3406]

Lovely makes

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Thank you 😊 x

[@eileentarrant9876]

Hy I’ve just made the Toaster and oh what an easy make ,also I’ve made a drop shoulder cable knit dress by New look that turned out ok ,JUST OK But I do like the look of the heather dress because of the pockets and the shoulders .I think sometimes in a knit fabric they seem a bit heavy on the shoulders ? Love your choices of patterns and fabrics xxx

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

The Toaster is great isn’t it! I love the Heather Dress it’s a lovely shape with handy pockets too. One of SOI’s best pattern in my humble opinion 😊 Thanks for watching xx

[@tufornumberone]

Honestly, I would give up on the Billie. I am now on my third Jarrah and have been making alterations along the way with sizing and forward shoulder placement but every version is completely wearable despite the tweaks. No pattern should be that hard.

[@nicolasammons3852]

Hi Sally, love the atelier brunette fabric you are wearing. I made my first Linden in some and like you used it for the cuffs and unfortunately I don’t find them v comfortable. I have worn it quite a bit but lesson learnt 😂😂

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Haha a lesson to both of us then it’s annoying isn’t it I had thought about taking them out and re-doing them but I don’t want to ruin it either. Thanks for watching 😊 x

[@sewchilled22]

I am a beginner on knit fabric but I am about to embark on the Billie dress 🙄here's hoping I can get it done 🤞All your makes are lovely 😊

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Ooh how exciting I’m sure you’ll love it! Good luck i hope you enjoy and thank you for watching xx

[@christycampbell1874]

Thank you for this great video!! I love the jarrah too! I've wondered about hacking that longer into a tunic length. Do you think that would work to just lengthen it?

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Haha that’s so funny I’ve just done this!! Yes it was really easy I just lengthened it down based on another tunic I had it worked fine as it’s oversized anyway. I didn’t include it in this video as I hadn’t shown it in a makes video yet x

[@christycampbell1874]

@@SecretLifeOfASeamstress yay thank you!!

[@cjane51]

Very helpful Sally. I have some sweatshirt fabric waiting for making. Do all the jumpers require stretch? My fabric has no stretch. Not sure what to make. Any suggestions?

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

Hmm they aren’t tight fitting so I would thing they’d be ok with non stretch. You might need a stretch ribbing though for the neckband and cuffs or you might not be able to get it on and off easily x

[@cjane51]

@@SecretLifeOfASeamstress thanks. I’ll check it out

[@ElsieinStitches]

Could you check the link for the ecru sweatshirt fabric please? A really interesting video - thank you.

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

I will. I think Minerva had run out though the last time I’d checked. I’m glad you enjoyed the video thank you for watching x

[@jennistevenson796]

So did you get rid of the pink billie with maker on it ?

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

I had to in the end because I’d messed up the neckline with the overlocker and it didn’t wear well! I’d love to make another one though. I’m so sad because I loved the Maker transfer x

[@SecretLifeOfASeamstress]

I still have it so may be able to save the transfer somehow it’s just not really wearable x