With the arrival of jersey fabrics in the shop, I felt like getting back behind my serger and making a sweatshirt for myself ;-)

This reminded me of the Artesane masterclasses made at the end of 2020 that offered to make a sweatshirt, embroider it, modify it... In short, Artesane offered the pattern and masterclasses for free. So I went back to the site and found all the info needed to create my version.

So, I’m sharing this great tip with you. Let’s go!

To make your sweet sweatshirt, you can download the pattern for free on the Artesane website. Click here to download it.

The pattern is available from size XS to XXL, which corresponds to a bust measurement between 84 and 104cm, a waist measurement between 65 and 90cm, and a hip measurement between 90 and 110cm. It is a women's pattern with a fairly loose fit. So it is not a fitted pattern. If you want something closer to the body, you can size down, meaning choose one size smaller than your usual size. 

The pattern is designed for a woman with a height of 1.68m. 

In the seamstress’s basket

• sweatshirt fabric (french terry, fleece, brushed sweat...) Artesane recommends 1.5m to make the pattern. I managed to fit my pattern into 1.1m because I shortened the pattern to fit my height of 1.53m and used ribbing for the cuffs. You will find a nice selection of knit fabrics and ribbing in our shop. 
• ribbing if desired (for the cuffs)
• transparent stay tape (if desired)
• matching thread
• a stretch/jersey needle 
• a stretch/jersey twin needle
• a serger or a sewing machine (with a stretch stitch)

Steps for making

Artesane created a masterclass that explains the assembly steps I will detail.

1. Cut out the pattern pieces. Seam allowances of 0.7cm are included in the pattern. These allowances are suited for making the sweatshirt with a serger. If you want to sew the sweatshirt with a sewing machine, you can increase the seam allowance width to 1cm.

2. Lay out and pin the pattern pieces on your fabric

3. Cut your pieces. If you chose ribbing for the cuffs, use the cuff pattern provided in the pattern. The planned length will give you a relatively tight cuff like the ones I made. If you want wider cuffs, feel free to test and adjust the ribbing length used for the cuffs. 

4. Pin right sides together the shoulders and sides of the front and back. You can also use "wonder clips" to hold your fabric instead of pins. 

5. Overlock the shoulders (this is when you can use stay tape) and the sides (or sew with an elastic stitch on the sewing machine). 

6. Close the sleeves (pin the sleeve "tube" and stitch)

7. Assemble the sleeves to the body. Place right sides together the sleeve cap into the armhole. Pin and stitch around the armhole. 

8. Close the neckline band with the overlocker or sewing machine

9. Pin the neckline band (folded in half on itself) right sides together with the front and back, stitch everything

10. Close the cuffs (band or ribbing). 

11. Sew the cuff bands or ribbing to the sleeve. Since I chose to make the sleeve wider at the cuff, I sewed a gathering thread to adjust the length of the sleeve bottom and adapt it to the ribbing length. I gathered and then fitted the ribbing to the sleeve. 

12. Make a hem on the lower edge of the body. I chose to overlock the perimeter before making the hem.

13. Stitch the hem with the twin needle 

Ta-da, the sweet sweatshirt is finished. Now just wear it!

I have put below the Artesane masterclass video about sweatshirt assembly, with timing to go directly to the parts that interest you.

• 10:00 : introduction
• 12:15 : stitches 
• 19:50 : assembly steps
• 25:30 : stay tape
• 36:50 : cuff assembly
• 1:09:55 : neckline assembly
• 1:37:25 : twin needle
• 1:54 : the different sleeve versions
• 1:57 : the ruffles

You will also find below the Artesane masterclass regarding sweatshirt pattern making. If you want, like me, to modify the sleeves or why not create ruffles?