Elevated Sweatshirt: Simplicity 9450

Overview:

Skill Level: ★★★

Sewing Time: 3 hrs

Pattern Rating: ★★★★

Pattern:

I purchased Simplicity 9450 last winter with every intention of sewing it up with the shorter skirt, but I never got to it. I almost didn't make it this year as the temps had risen in my area, but I know they always drop closer to the start of spring. Sure enough as I'm writing this we are looking at before freezing lows overnight.

I was attracted to this pattern because of the pockets, the zip sleeve pocket and the side stitched pockets. The raglan sleeves and the optional hood didn't hurt. Sadly none of these pockets are really usable. I mean if course there's not much you can do with a sleeve pocket, but side pockets barely keep your hand warm and won’t hold my huge phone.

S9450: sleeve detail

The only issue I had with the actual construction came with the sleeves, not the zipper part, but attaching the cuff. The cuffs themselves were about 2 inches too wide, they would have fallen over my hands, so I took them in. That meant I need to gather the sleeve hem to make it fit within the smaller band. I’m fine with this look, it just wasn’t addressed in the directions. A look back at the pattern pic showed that maybe I simply overlooked the looser sleeve.

Fabric:

This fabric is a light weight terry knit I grabbed as a remnant from Fine Fabrics. I only had 1.5 yds so I had to get strategic with the pattern layout. Sadly this meant I couldn't make the hoodie, which I would've preferred.

The fabric is nice, especially for the price I paid. It is definitely too light to be a cozy winter sweatshirt but it's perfect for transitional seasons.

Modifications:

I took the cuffs in by about an 1.5”. Which then meant I had to slim down the sleevws near the hem about an inch also. Still I had to gather the sleeves to attach them to the cuffs.

Summary:

Pattern:  Simplicity 9450

Pattern Description: Misses' pull-over knit tops with and without hood have raglan sleeves and concealed bicep pocket; wrap skirt in two lengths has shaped front detail and ties.

Sizing: 6-14,16-24 I cut a 20

Does it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow: Yes

Would I recommend it to others? Maybe. I think I prefer the Page hoodie