When Anne of Sofilantjes asked me to be part of her Otium Sweater blog tour, I just couldn’t say no. Not only because Anne is such a super nice lady, but also because it was about time that I sewed my first knit shirt.
Yes, you read correctly. Up until a week ago, I had never actually sewn a t-shirt or a sweater. I just didn’t really care. Why spend time on sewing a t-shirt? A tee is a tee is a tee, right? And sweaters… Norah likes to wear dresses all the time, and they don’t combine too well with sweaters. Lately, however, so so many cool knit fabrics are being released. And so, a tee is no longer just a tee (nor a tee). And Norah is able to overcome her addiction to dresses when presented with a sweater in a really cool fabric. I was sent a piece of amazing knit from the French brand Aime Comme Marie, by Wendy from Petite Couture, and it was just perfect for the sweater. I’ll talk more about the amazing fabric I used later in this post – and you can win 2 meters too (scroll down or click here)!
The pattern
But let’s return to my First Ever Sweater Experience. I couldn’t have wished for a better pattern to give it a go. The Otium sweater is simple, and the pattern comes with very clear instructions. The sweater was sewn up in no time.
I suggested to Norah that she would wear a pair of jeans for the pictures, but she insisted that sweater and jeans do not combine (“Dat trekt op niks!”). Yeah… What was I thinking? So we combined it with her dance skirt.
I picked the size 3 for my 5-year-old, and lengthened it. Norah is average in height but very thin, so the fact that the (lengthened) size 3 fits her perfectly means that the sizes of the Otium are spot-on. The pattern comes with different options. I went for the most basic sweater, but you can also add a diagonal pocket, or a bow in the back. The pattern comes with sleeves in three lengths.
Anne and Deborah (who is organizing the blog tour) have also put together a great prize package which you can win. Please use the Rafflecopter widget at the end of this post to take your chance! The Otium patterns for girls and women is now also 30% off in Anne’s shop (no code needed).
The fabric
I’ll just say it like it is: this piece of Diamants Moutarde from Aime Comme Marie is flat out the best knit fabric I ever had in my hands. It is a bit heavier than the average knit, which makes it easy to work with (no ends curling up!) and lovely to wear. While it is definitely not sweater fabric, the fact that it is a bit heavier makes it perfectly suitable for a light sweater. The print is sharp, and the colors of the collection match together perfectly. But most of all, it is super super (did I mention super?) soft.
Wendy also has this fabric in burgundy. I used it to make an infinity scarf for Norah.
While Wendy sent me fabric for a sweater and a scarf for Norah, I just HAD to make something for myself as well. So I cut everything as economically as I could, and managed to squeeze out an infinity scarf.
Aime Comme Marie does not just make knit fabrics; her designs also come in other qualities such as chambray, viscose, and poplin. Apart from the diamonds, her prints also include feathers, pineapples, and tattoos.
And do you want to know the best news? Wendy of Petite Couture is generously giving away 2 meters of Aime Comme Marie fabrics of choice. The winner can spend her voucher immediately, or wait until Wendy has received the additional Aime Comme Marie fabrics which are due to arrive in her shop in February. Please use the Rafflecopter widget below to take your chance.
Both give-aways:
Click here (fabrics) and here (patterns) to enter if the widgets below do not load
Monday, January 26th – Huisje Boompje Boefjes – Pienkel – Straight Grain
Tuesday, January 27th – From a Box – Shaffer Sisters – Friends Stitched Together
Wednesday, January 28th – Mie Katoentje – Lulu & Celeste – Rebel & Malice – Work, Pray, Sew
Thursday, January 29th – Sew Starly – The Berry Bunch – Sprouting JubeJube – Mllikepoinen
Friday, January 30th – Rebekah Sews – Gloria June – Sew Out of Control – Jaime Sews
Saturday, January 31st – LisaLisa Designs – Vaahtokarkkimonsteri – DIY Crush – Unikuun Terapiahuone – Golden Rippy