Cosmos Sweater

Sometimes my sewing moves at the glacial pace of bureaucracy, and the proof is here in the Cosmos Sweater from Sew House Seven. On 18th May 2021 I toiled this pattern and then emailed Peggy from Sew House 7 for some fit advice- she responded quickly and then I… did nothing for almost-3-years-to-the-day when I tried on the toile while tidying a box of toiles and fabric leftovers.

2024 is the year of me not overthinking, hopefully all things, but particularly sewing. And 2024 me thought ‘actually, I don’t mind that toile at all’ and so here’s a version of the Cosmos which isn’t made from polyester ponte.

My current measurements are 43″ high bust, 48″ full bust, 43″ waist (smallest part, close to my underbust), 54″ low hip and I’m 57″ at my roundest point (around my belly). I’m quite narrow-shouldered and really the increase between my high and full bust is really more an increase in the size of my ribcage than a big cup size.

For my 2021 toile I chose a Size 18 at the top, blending out from just above the sleeve notch so that by the time I hit the side-seam I was at Size 26 (which corresponds to my hip measurement). I thought about changing that for this new version, and instead just did the exact same thing again. It’s slightly more confusing to think about how that size blending works with the raglan sleeve than it is with a normal sleeve.

Initially, I was quite annoyed at how sewing the bottom band on with my overlocker had distorted the seam- a little unintentional lettuce hem effect. It improved somewhat with a liberal application of steam with the iron, and I reminded myself of my ‘not overthinking in 2024’ plans and moved on.

My initial thoughts on the fit, back in 2021, was that the raglan sleeve didn’t really work with my narrow shoulders and that there was far too much excess fabric through the front and the back. There kind of us, but I quite like the look and I really like the way that the sleeves hang (not the warmest sleeves but I like the way they swish about). I’ve been wearing this sweater almost every day since I finished the sleeve hems (not all day, but just when the chill factor requires an extra layer), and I’m really enjoying how cosy my neck feels without feeling impeded.

Here’s to not overthinking.