TESTING: The Enid Sweater

I feel like I should start this post with a disclaimer. This is not a review post. I am just talking about a pattern I tested while it was still in development stage. I was not paid or asked to write this post. I am merely sharing my make because I want to not because I got a free pattern for testing it out. These are all my thoughts and I am expressing my honest opinion.

Now, as we got that out of the way let's start talking about what this post is really about. The Enid Sweater (pattern here). Back in 2014 I received an email from Jennifer Lauren Vintage as I was signed up in her testers mail-list. I quickly wrote back that I would be thrilled to test out this one as I missed out on the last pattern testing due to me being a slowpoke. This time I was fast enough and thus the testing begun. The pattern is cut out on the bias as it's meant to be made with sweatshirt fabric that has little to no stretch and the sweater is meant to be quite fitted. Due to that there is slightly more pattern piecing needed when assembling the PDF pattern but it wasn't too much for me. The pattern has two views. View 1 with a boxy neckline and view 2 with a V-neckline. I made both versions for scientific and selfish reasons. I simply couldn't decide which version to try.

So lets start from the top. Version 1, with a square neckline. I was right between sizes that are now 10 and 12(12 and 14 during the testing) with a 97cm bust and 74cm waist, I decided to test out one version with size 10 and other in size 12 to get a clear idea which would be the best option for me or if I really needed to do a bit of size matching and do a hybrid size in the end. Version 1 is in size 12 and made with a lightweight cotton and polyester blend sweatshirt fabric. It is slightly lighter than the recommended weight but I wanted to try out a slightly lighter fabric as well to see if it would work. And it did. The test version sleeves are slightly wider than the final sleeves and with this lightweight fabric they drape a bit better and don't look too boxy.

The back piece is the same for both versions so there's no extra pattern piecing needed for that, which is great. Here you can really see how the bias of the fabric shows as an interesting design feature as the fabric had a bit of a splotchy coloring and it becomes really prominent here.

The neckline is finished with a rib knit and the seams are finished with a serger and then top stitched down. Though this is the more "advanced" neckline option, the instructions were clear enough with the illustrations to show what you need to do, so if you feel a bit intimidated by this, don't be scared. In the end this is virtually the same as a V-neck only with two corners you need to turn. So deep breathe and keep going.

Just like the neckline, the cuffs and the hem is finished with a rib knit. As the sleeves have been made a bit slimmer in the final pattern, there shouldn't be as much bubbling in the area between the main fabric and the cuff where the cuff pulls the fabric close to your skin.

Size wise, I think the size 12 would be a great option for me if I want to make a bit more slouchy and loose sweater without it being too big. Or if I wanted to use extra thick fabric for maximum warmth. And I need my warmth in the long-long winter here, Brrr.

I cut the version 2 in size 10 and I used a really weird pink fabric from my stash. It's a synthetic fabric that has an extremely oily and synthetic feel to it however it doesn't do any funny business when ironed so I really can't tell you what this thing is except weird. I got it from my Gran M a few years ago and I couldn't see myself using it for any "real" garments so I decided to use it up for a test version of something. The fabric itself is stiff and drapey at the same time, so it basically does whatever the heck it wants to and gives me superpowers of zapping everyone I touch while wearing it. So the fabric is  a massive fail. Though it does keep me warm but breathes at the same time, so I guess it makes a great piece for doing some work outside.

The neckline is finished with a rib knit again and sewn in as one seam. It is easier than the square neckline but only slightly. The seam allowance is finished with a serger and topstitched down just like with view 1.

Sleeve and bodice cuffs are made of rib knit again. Here you can see the difference two different rib knits can make with two different fabrics. With version 1 the fabric was lighter and the rib knit was also lighter and more stretchier. Here the fabric has more weight and body to it and the rib knit is more stiffer. So here the cuff and sleeve end look really different, even though the difference from the cuff to sleeve is the same on both sizes.

Derpface

So about the size. It fits me more snugly, so when I would use a lightweight fabric, I would go for size 10. I would NOT use this nightmare of a fabric again for sure as it sticks to me on some places at times when the static electricity builds up too much. But if I were to look for a more fitted look, I would definitely go for size 10 as I was over the bust size by only 2cm and the little ease in the pattern lets me get away with it. Especially when I'm not packing the extra post-Christmas weight like here, haha.

So. Will I be making another version of this pattern? Probably. I really like the look of these and recently I have begun to think I need more basic garments to wear to work and to combine outfits with. I've made most of the things in the past with patterned fabrics and colourful details which makes them really hard to pair without going overboard with the details and attention drawing.

Anyways, I hope you all have been good.
Luv ya,
Fooniks