Hi everyone, it’s Marnie here, back with a review on what may just turn out to be my favorite pattern all year. Those that know me know that I am a big fan of knits. I love them, they make up the bulk of my fabric stash and in my opinion, the Europeans lead the way in the world of knits, both with fabric and patterns. I’m reviewing today the Semper Sweater by Sofilantjes Patterns.

The Semper Sweater is a raglan sleeved sweater top that comes jam packed with options to mix and match and completely change the look of the pattern. The options include side panels with pockets, a simple round neck, a cowl neck or a hood, short and long sleeves and also fits the free mini dress add on, which can be added to the pattern pieces to create a sweater dress. My version includes the side panels with pockets, the hood and the mini dress.

I also sewed up a plain simple long sleeved t-shirt version to show how versatile the pattern is. It is Autumn here at the moment, so I sewed a long sleeve version in preparation for the cooler weather that will arrive in May. The fit is fabulous and allows you to create loads of different looks from just the one pattern.

The Semper Sweater covers a great size range and with sizes ranging from 12months through to 14, it represents fantastic value for money. As you will see from Ari’s pictures below, it is just as perfect for boys as it is for girls (perhaps skip the mini dress version for boys) and if my two boys hadn’t informed me several times that they were sporting professionals who exclusively dress in Nike clothing (at the ripe old age of 8 and 10), I would be making several versions for them.

For those who are new to sewing with knits, the instructions are easy to follow and very straightforward. Mixing of sizes is clearly explained, and for those who are more experienced, the quick sew guide allows you to have a quick read through and get on with sewing without having to read through lots of instructions. The pattern recommends knits with at least 30% stretch and I used an European sweaty for my mini dress (similar to french terry or loopback that contains a small amount of lycra in the composition) and a Pehemia cotton lycra for my simple long sleeved T-shirt. This pattern was perfect for both fabric types and the fit was spot on. I love it, I will use it lots and Anne, thank you for another brilliant pattern!