Now that Hot Patterns sell their patterns in pdf (only A4 and letter versions, no A0 option, but the postage on the hard copies of their patterns is a killer) I am starting to buy more of them. I think that I’ve also got the sizing worked out for me – in knits, at least.

This is the Hot Patterns Weekender Swingy Sweatshirt (worn here with Style Arc Elle pants in bengaline). Their website describes it as follows: Get the laid-back cool and classic comfort of a sweatshirt or sweater dress, with a dressy, modern twist. Top and dress are designed for knit fabrics with a little body and stretch, like velour or stretch velvet, ponte or double knits, French terry, lightweight fleece, sweatshirt, T-shirt, or sweater knits. Pull-on A-line sweatshirt or sweater dress has a center back seam, angled side seams & bust darts for a neat fit. Mix up the details for the perfect look: choose a long flared sleeve or add a turn-back cuff; make the optional cut-in pockets or not; pick a boat-neck or a shapely semi-V neck. Make it your best length too, either a thigh-length tunic or a knee length dress. Sleeve and body hems and necklines are finished with deep stitched facings. These are the perfect throw-on-&-go pieces-try skinny or bootcut pants under the sweatshirt, pull on your favorite boots with the dress, maybe add a scarf and you’re d-o-n-e done…

It’s pretty obvious that I sewed the sweatshirt, pretty much as per the pattern illustration.  Boat-neck, pockets, cuffs on the flared sleeves.  My measurements put me at around a size 14 but I took an educated guess and sewed size 10.  That seemed to work for me. No alterations to the pattern.

Actually, that’s not quite true. A couple of weeks after I sewed this (and while sewing the sweater dress from the same pattern) I unpicked the sleeve cap from the armhole seam and re-sewed it, shaving off around a centimetre from the “point” at the top of the sleeve. After doing this the entire sleeve sat much better on me.

It’s a pretty wide boat neckline, as described. It covers my bra straps, but only just. That is something to consider depending on how you like your necklines. I did like that despite it being a boat neckline, it didn’t choke me. And my neck doesn’t get cold – because I have a plethora of scarves and shawls to choose from! The one in these photos was knitted by my Mum in Wollmeise. Thanks Mum!  I think that the pattern is the Settler Shawl by Libby Jonson.

I used the textured side of a green/blackish mid-weight sweater type knit that was in stash as the right side of the fabric. Oh where, oh where did I get this? Was it Rathdowne? Was it at Restash? I really cannot remember – but it’s great fabric! I really like those curved pockets and the wide cuffs. The wide sleeves can be a little annoying though – they don’t fit well under other garments, so to keep warm I’d be better off layering other garments underneath this sweatshirt rather than trying to find things to go over it. I do have a few cape-type things that would work though. I really don’t think I’m likely to jump on the statement sleeves trend in a big way, because I just can’t figure out what to put on top to stay warm! Maybe in summer.

So, the verdict? This pattern is a winner. Hot Patterns have a very active Facebook group, if you are interested in sewing their patterns. I find that more people who sew them post their than in blogs or on Instagram. There are some terrific versions of this pattern popping up, and I bet that there will be more.