My Handmade Sweater Dress Collection: A Love Story ❤️

Hello everybody and welcome to this video: an ode to my sweater dress collection (i.e. secret pajamas)! There is nothing as equally comfortable and stylish to wear in the colder months for me than a cozy sweater dress and so I have made very many. From fuzzy, easy fabrics, to extra stretchy or striped fabrics, I hope to show you with this collection a range of double knit fabrics and sweater dress ideas to help you with your fabric shopping or even, perhaps, to inspire you!
You can also find me here:
Instagram: / sarah__naomi_
P A T T E R N S M E N T I O N E D:
🪡 Heather dress by Sew Over it: sewoverit.com/...
🪡 Givre by Deer and Doe: shop.deer-and-...
🪡 Jenna cardi by Muse patterns: sewingmuse.com...
🪡 Blackwood cardigan by Helen’s Closet: helensclosetpa...
✏️ Read all about how I made the plum-colored Heather dress on my Minerva profile here:
www.minerva.co...
And the plum-colored knit fabric I made the Heather dress in (affiliate link): tidd.ly/3GJayhv
F A B R I C S H O P S M E N T I O N E D:
🧵 Les Coupons de Saint Pierre: les-coupons-de...
🧵 Fabric Godmother: www.fabricgodm...
🧵 Sew Over It: sewoverit.com/
🧵 Alyssa May Designs: alyssa-may-des...
🧵 Minerva: www.minerva.com/
🧵 Blackbird Fabrics: www.blackbirdf...
*Some of these links are affiliate links. This simply means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at NO EXTRA cost to you. Thank you for supporting this channel!
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:45 Sweater dress fabric
5:05 Sew Over It Heather dress
6:06 1st Heather dress (black)
8:09 2nd Heather dress (pink & blue graphic print)
8:51 3rd Heather dress (white & black leopard print)
9:25 4th & 5th Heather dress (blue & white cable knits)
10:37 6th Heather dress (plum)
13:09 Deer & Doe Givre dress
14:16 1st Givre dress (blue & white striped)
16:00 2nd Givre dress (blue & white geometric print)
17:39 3rd Givre dress (dark grey & white check)
19:09 4th Givre dress (black with pink flowers)
20:25 Final thoughts

[@judyh5052]

The geometric dress looks great grey, no one will know it was white! Keep wearing this beautiful dress!❤️

[@tleanvasner6866]

The "greek" dress is good and the fact that it turned a little bit grey is unnoticeable. If you haven't told about it, no one would notice for sure

[@mandylinn1750]

Both dresses look really good on you. The Givre with the geometric pattern looks fine as all the whites took on the colour, only you know but I understand that is the issue, we like perfection in our makes. You could remove the yoke and sleeve tops and replace with navy blue, if it saves the dress and lovely fabric. The Givre is my favourite, I have lots and as a tee top too. I use the tee top added to the sleeveless dress pattern to make the yokeless dress, it doesn't change the fit and is so fast to make up too. Love all your videos, great content and they're well put together, thank you.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you! Yes, the Givre dress is such a great shape, I should try the t-shirt version some time too. I'm glad the blue and white one doesn't look too off! I think I will start wearing it again and if the grey really bothers me, you're right, I could replace the yoke and dark blue would be a great option 😊

[@JP-nl4dp]

Love each dress. It’s amazing how the fabrics change the look of each!

[@tammymasson2343]

I agree, the dress that turned gray is OK. If it still bothers you, perhaps you could dye it. I think all the dresses look amazing!

[@user-xi7gz6sz4w]

These are all lovely and so basic! Nothing overly fussy about them, can dress up or down. Great pattern choices!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you! 😊

[@KarenMcNeil-en2fn]

Your dresses are lovely. That shape of dress really suits you 🙂

[@zoemicha6163]

Greek people are watching you and we will be very happy for you to visit Greece 🇬🇷. I love your videos and makes ❤

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Oh! 🥰 Thank you so much! 😊

[@maureencapobianco3596]

Sarah, your dress collection is beautiful! They all look fabulous on you! The Greek pattern one looks fine color wise. I don’t notice any gray. Very inspiring!! ❤

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you! 😊

[@loreliemiller628]

I also love the heather dress. Also had problem with excess fabric in the back, it’s called a sway back. Next time I’m going to try and see how I can adjust that. Didn’t notice the grey in the yoke!

[@SunShine-000]

❤ Lovely dresses! I’m tempted to get the heather dress pattern. I have a dress from MM LaFleur that is similar with the princess seams and pockets- I love the Etsuko dress but @ $245 plus shipping, out of my reach to replace it! Also noticed Boden carries a similar style but in a thinner knit fabric. All in all, you’ve convinced me that I need a new Heather dress! Thanks so much for discussing knit types as I am not well versed and have never purchased or sewn a ponte knit. Will also try your clever back seam on the Heather when I sew it as I think it will make fitting easier. 😊

[@Sarah_Naomi]

I'm so glad that this video was useful for you!

[@shirleyeggenschwiler9482]

Lovely collection!!

[@lettylettebowskie]

All dresses are stunning! The white/grey geometric one is my favorite! I don't think it is super obvious, that the color changed a bit. Your description of a "professional cold gremlin" made me laugh so hard, that is a perfect description for the winter month's here in Europe :D

[@user-xi7gz6sz4w]

I'm old enough to remember "slips" and have 3 different lengths. Thankful I saved them!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Good thing! I find them so useful too 😊

[@sheilareilly8193]

I’m definitely going to try the Heather dress and have some sweat kit that I think will be perfect for it. Thanks for the video - loved it!

[@sharoncrawford6450]

Beautiful dresses. I love making sweater dresses. So far I’ve made 3. The patterns I used were McCalls 7999 & 8064. These are 2 of my favorite knit patterns but I do have more. Your dresses fit you perfectly! Always always enjoy your videos 🪡🧵👗🥰

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Oh! Thank you so much for your kind words and for the pattern suggestions 😊 I don't know these ones, I'll go check them out!

[@kekeight]

❤

[@TayaSews]

This was fun to watch. That geometric dress looks lovely and I hope you continue to wear it. Here in Australia 100% polyester knits are just not an option... I haven't ever and won't ever sew with such fabrics 😅 but I can imagine how nice they are for your French winters. My go to knit pattern for work is McCalls 7186, it's out of print but would look great on you! I also think the Tustin dress by Itch to Stitch could make great secret pyjamas. Seamwork's Wren dress is an old pattern but has beautiful ballet-inspired lines. Looking forward to seeing the new ones!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you for so many great pattern recommendations! I especially love the gathers featured in the McCalls pattern ❤️

[@lydzphens]

❤❤❤

[@nancynewman6592]

Great collection of dresses!

[@isobelmaccuish4324]

Lovely dresses …..they all suit you so well. So nice to watch your videos..I have just newly found you! 😊

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you so much and welcome! 😊

[@yvonneparish6007]

Another lovely video, thank you. Your creations are so inspiring. I have now decided 2024 will be the year I will make my minimalist wardrobe hand made ... with the Heather dress on the menu.. once summer has finished here in Australia 😃 I love your 'Greece' dress the colour is lovely.. definitely keep wearing❤❤

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you so much! And what a great goal for 2024, happy sewing!

[@nataliedavies69]

You have created such a lovely, elegant collection of sweater dresses; all tailored to perfection. I especially admired the one with the large check, because you have everything lined up so beautifully - very flattering I thought. I also admired the practicality of these dresses, they do look very comfortable but also smart for work. Thank you so much for doing the comparison and explanation of the knit fabrics too. I found that really interesting and useful information. I’m always put off trying knit fabrics because I would have to use the zigzag stitch on my machine and it just sounds tricky! 😂. Really enjoyed this video; beautifully filmed and put together as always. Btw about the Greek dress, I don’t think you did anything wrong. I think the fabric was always going to be hard to keep bright white because it’s mixed with deeper colours. Rajiv Surendra has an informative video here on KZbin about washing whites and using blueing to restore white - as a bonus he is quite delightful and entertaining to watch! I don’t know whether that would be helpful or of interest to you but thought I would mention it. But equally because any greying happened all over the garment evenly, to me it looks fine to wear as is; especially as you love it so much! White comes with so many undertones 🤗🤗🤗

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad that this video was helpful, and once you get the hang of it, stitching knit fabrics isn't so bad! Thanks so much for the washing recommendation too, I'll go check out that video! I think you're right, it's so hard to keep white fabrics white, especially when they're paired with darker colors in the print, it must just be that I've worn and washed this dress a lot. I'm glad that the gray isn't so noticeable, I think I will keep wearing it!

[@constancegarcia8053]

Lovely dresses. ❤ Have you looked at Nina Lee Patterns (the Southbank Sweater and sweater Dress)? It is cozy and beautiful. 🌹

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you and yes! It looks like a very cozy dress, especially for relaxing on the weekends 😊

[@marnieskuse2399]

Just found you . Really great vlog - inspiring and informative x many thanks 💕💕

[@Sarah_Naomi]

I'm so glad! Thank you!

[@matildahenriksson2534]

I have done almost the same, but my preferred style is fit and flare, so I have like 10 different skater dresses in double knits that I wear all through winter. The high waistline and flared skirt hides a lot in the middle, even a pregnancy this winter...

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Ah yes, knit fit and flare dresses are super comfortable too. And congratulations!

[@robinhatton5602]

I have had both of these patterns on my "wanted" list and you have just encouraged them to move up higher in priority!! 😂 On the 'greek' dress-while its laying on a white sheet you can notice the discoloration but in normal life not at all! Its super lovely, I can see why its a favorite! Also, the check dress is STUNNING! You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of! Question on fit for the Givre (spelling...?) dress: do you make the size that lines up with your measurements or do you size up? Iv wavered on making the Heather dress bc Im concerned about the pockets adding alot of extra bulk where I dont need any extra, and standing away from the body... that would bother me! Anyway, Thanks for sharing! Good job!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

I'm so glad that you're seriously considering making these two! And I'm very glad that by general consensus, the "greek" dress looks fine 😊 Thank you for your kind comment on the check dress! For the Givre pattern, I've always made the size that lines up with my measurements and I'm happy with the amount of ease in all my versions. Also, for the Heather dress, the pockets can add some bulk, it all depends on your fabric! Otherwise, they're not so obvious, although they do gape open a little. I hope that helps!

[@tleanvasner6866]

how high are you? you loot petite, 152-154cm, maybe? asking because it seems that our bodies look quite similar in proportions

[@Sarah_Naomi]

My height is 165cm, I hope that helps!