Sew a Versatile Fall Pullover

Sew a Versatile Fall Pullover

Contemporary, seasonal, and absolutely easy-to-sew are some of the favorite elements about my new sewing pattern from The McCall Pattern Company. M7252 can be made in three styles; all featuring a sophisticated cowl neckline. Using the softest knit fabrics, this comfortable top will be a complementary addition to your wardrobe.

In options A and B, styles feature different hem lengths, which make this top excellent to wear with leggings, jeans, or skirts. The styles are also drafted for sewing machine stitching or serger construction. Shown in style C, the top has an asymmetrical wrap across the body. The pullover is a truly versatile piece.

The pullover top may be sewn on a serger or a sewing machine set to a wobble stitch. And the best part: The pattern only has four pieces!

View A 

This design features a shorter hem length in a cozy shirt-style pullover. We stitched View A using a bold stripe to accent the shape and ease of the garment.

View B

View B is created with serger seams exposed.  The pullover featured below is created using fleece and a special technique, which we’ll see next week, for showcasing a serged seam.

View C

The third style has an across-the-body wrap design element making the pullover feel more like outerwear. This look is perfect for layers and is every bit as easy to sew as Views A and B.

Construction Details

• Fold the fabric, right sides together, as shown in the cutting layouts for your size and fabric width.
• Roughly position all patterns on the fabric.

Note From Nancy: You’ll notice I have traced the pattern pieces onto paper to use multiple times and to allow me to reuse my pattern for multiple sizes. As I traced my pattern, I used a quilter’s ruler with a 45°  line to pencil in a bias grainline 45° from the marked grainline on the pattern. By doing this, I’m able to align my pattern pieces to create an exact diagonal stripe on my pullover. **Remember, when tilting the pattern pieces, you may need to purchase more fabric than originally required.

• Pin pattern pieces in place or use pattern weights.

Markings

• Mark Notches: Cut a short “nip” in the edge of the fabric at each notch or circle marking, about 1/8″ in length. Clip two nips at a double notch.

Construction

• Match right sides together and match the diagonal stripes along the center fronts and center backs.
• Serge the seams or stitch with a wobble stitch, .5 width x 2.5 length on your sewing machine.

• Align and pin Front and Back pieces along shoulder seams, right sides together, matching notches. Stitch.

• Press seam flat; then press open. Press a serged seam to one side.

 Collar and Neckline

• Align edges and pin Center Back seam of Collar, right sides together, matching notches.
• Stitch or serge seam.
• Press seam flat; then press open. Press a serged seam to one side.
• Optional: Serge along the hemline.

• Press under 1/4″ and topstitch.

Attach Collar to Neckline

• Quarter-mark the neckline of the collar and neckline of the top. To quarter-mark, fold the opening in half and in half again, placing a pin at each of the four folds.

• Align edges and pin the WRONG side of the collar to the RIGHT side of the neckline at each quarter mark.
• Stitch with a 1/4″ seam allowance.

• Press seam flat; then press toward the top and topstitch.

• Fold top of collar toward the neckline.

Underarm Seams and Hem

• Align edges and pin Front to Back along underarm seams, right sides together, matching notches.
• Stitch with 1/4″ seam allowances.
• Press seams flat; then press open. Press serged seams to one side.

• Optional: Serge along the hemline.
• Press under 1/4″ and topstitch.

.

Cuff

• Align edges and pin side seams of cuff right sides together.
• Stitch seam.

• Press seams flat; then press open. Press serged seams to one side.
• Optional: Serge along the hemline.

• Press under 1/4″ and topstitch.

Attach Cuffs to Sleeves

• Align and pin WRONG side of cuffs to the RIGHT side of sleeves, matching edges and notches.

• Stitch with 1/4″ seam allowances.

• Turn top right side out. Fold up cuff hems and align with the cuff seams. Hand stitch top cuff to sleeve at each side seam.

The new pullover is finished and ready to wear!

Join me next week as we take a closer look at the construction of View B, a style serged in fleece knit. I will be detailing the simplicity of working with fleece and share a tip for decorative topstitching. If you don’t already subscribe to my enewsletter, sign up here, so you won’t miss a thing!

Demystify the fear of working with knit fabrics. You can sew easily and with confidence using tips and techniques in my book: Sew Knits with Confidence. Sewing With Nancy also has a two-part series featuring knits. Watch Part One and Part Two online.

Watch Sew Knits with Confidence (Part One and Part Two)on Sewing With Nancy online.

To watch Sewing With Nancy on your iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone, download the app.

For a chance to win a copy of M7252, from The McCall Pattern Company, please leave a comment below sharing what knit fabric you’d choose to make this new fall fashion top. Two patterns will be randomly given away—must be US residents.

Bye for now,

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