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She’s just a steel town girl on a Saturday night! Inspired by an iconic ’80s movie (we’ll let you guess which one), this oversized sweatshirt features a cropped length, classic ribbed cuffs, a crew neckline and raw edges at the bottom. This no-fuss design will get along with the athletic heather grey fleece just as well as it does with bold prints. Add some topstitching to your seams with a twin needle, or go wild with the decorative stitches on your sewing machine. This simple project doesn’t have to be boring!
Download the FREE PDF sewing pattern, and sew your own handmade sweatshirt now!
1 cm (3/8″) seam allowance included!
Material
- FABRIC: 1 m (1 1/8 yd) french terry, ponte knit, or scuba knit
- RIB: 0.2 m (1/4 yd) tubular ribbed knit
- All-purpose thread
- Stretch or ballpoint needle
- OPTIONAL: twin stretch needle
Important: Fabric requirements are based on a fabric width of 150 cm (59″). If your fabric is narrower, additional yardage may be required.
Download the free PDF sewing pattern…
… and once you’re done, share a photo of you proudly wearing your new handmade piece with #unfetteredpatterns or tag us @unfetteredpatterns!
Need help to print your pattern? Check our detailed tutorial here! Also, find out how you can customize your pattern for A0 printers and projectors here.
Sizing Guide
This pattern is drafted according to the following body measurements. Standard height is 1.64 m (5.4 ft). Check this tutorial if you want to add sizes to your pattern!
If you need to adapt the length of your garment to your height, check this helpful tutorial here!
Keep in mind that the finished garment measurements have a significant amount of ease built in to create a more relaxed silhouette.
Sewing Notes
Here are some tips we recommend for a successful sewing project:
Fit and style
- Choose a size based on your bust. Take a look at the body measurements chart to guide you.
- To get your bust size, measure around the fullest part of your chest. Take a nice deep breath before you check the number. Just to make sure the measuring tape isn’t too tight. You want it snug, but not squeezing you.
- On the finished garment measurements chart, see how long the garment is and if it’ll work for your height. It’s a good idea to compare the length with something similar you already own. Just keep in mind this top is cropped, so the hem should hit at the waist, above the belly button.
- If you need to adapt the length of your garment to your height, check this helpful tutorial here!
Fabrics
- This pattern works best with heavier textured fabrics with a slight mechanical stretch, such as French terry or fleece. Mechanical stretch refers to the natural stretch created by the fabric’s weave without the addition of spandex.
- Also, since this garment is unlined, make sure that the back of the fabric is soft so it’s comfortable against the skin.
Cutting out
- Before you start cutting your fabrics, wash and dry them like you’d do for the finished piece. Keep in mind the fabric type and what it’s made of so you choose the right cleaning method (like how hot the water should be or what kind of cycle to use…). Plus, the dyes used on certain fabrics tend to bleed when washed, so wash yours separately, or with similar colors.
- After you wash and dry the fabric, give it a good press to get rid of any creases. Just make sure your iron is set to the right temperature for the fabric. Generally, synthetic fibers like acrylic, spandex, or polyester should be pressed on low heat, while natural fibers like cotton, wool, or linen can handle higher heat.
- When you’re set to cut the fabric, just fold it lengthwise right sides together. Make sure the fold is straight and doesn’t twist up. If it does, unfold it and refold until it’s nice and flat. Then, lay out the pattern pieces so the grainline runs parallel to the selvages.
- Make sure you don’t cut the notches too long; aim for them to be around 0.3-0.4 cm long (1/8″). You should also notch the pieces cut on the fold to mark the center front and back. To do so, cut right in the fold line.
Sewing
- If you’re using a sewing machine to sew with knits, be sure that it’s equipped with a stretch or ballpoint needle. These needles have a rounder tip that prevents snags.
- If your seams are very wavy, you might want to check for a walking presser foot for your sewing machine. On an overlocker, check to increase the differential or the stitch length.
- If the seams crack when stretched or pucker, be sure that you used a stretch stitch, and that the thread is all-purpose polyester, not 100% cotton. You may also need reduce the thread tension. On an overlocker, reduce the tension of the needles, not the loopers, and reduce the differential or stitch length.
- Also, pay close attention to the numbers next to the pattern markings and notches, as they will help guide the assembly. While you sew, match notches with the corresponding numbers in ascending order (for example, notch 1 with notch 1, notch 2 with notch 2, and so on).
Good luck with your sewing project!
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