Petite Stitchery & Co Gather Together Sweater

Pattern Stats: Gather Together Sweater

Pattern designer: Petite Stitchery & Co (affiliate)

Pattern level: 4/10

Time start to finish: 2.0 hours

Suggested fabrics: Medium weight sweater knits, waffle knit, velvet, jersey, french terry

My fabric: Medium weight sweater knit and velvet

Options: Top, tunic or dress length, optional gathered waist, short or long cuffed sleeves

Price: Sale pricing of $7 until 1/28/19 then $8.50

I've been excited about the Gather Together Sweater for over a month when I saw a sneak peek of it. Imagine how happy I was to hear that I got to test it! This was my first test with PSCO and it was a great experience. I love finding designers that seek out perfecting their patterns to get an optimal fit. 

The Gather Together is a versatile top. It can be worn loose, tied or open as a cardigan. Depending on the fabric choice, it can even be dressed up or down. My rose crushed velvet version was dressy with just pearls and a skirt. Then I transformed it into an easy "mom on the go" look with jeans and wedges. 

Both versions that I have to share are the top length. I was working with wonky cuts of fabric and wasn't able to fit the tunic length out of either of them. Don't worry, I have a tunic length one I'm working on now. That being said, the top length can be cut out of just over a yard of fabric. 

I loved this pattern right when I started printing it. The front and back pieces are together minimizing the number of pages needed to print. There's an exceptional cut chart also avoiding the necessity to print cuffs and neckband pieces. I love when patterns are designed to be smart and save me money right from the beginning. 

Cutting of this pattern is very straightforward as well as construction. The dolman sleeve gives added ease to the bust so it's not tight or too loose. For the this striped version I chose the long sleeve sleeve length which is finished with a cuff. (This is the first version from testing which was updated to later have a longer sleeve length.) 

For the velvet, I chose the short sleeves which have a cuff that is tacked up after being added. 

Now the most daunting part of this pattern for me was the buttons. I could have chosen to add snaps like some people did but the look I was going for both times lent to buttons and button holes more. This was the first time I got my Bernina 185 manual out and read about how to add the actual buttons on my machine. I have to say, it was much easier than I imagined. I've done button holes on my machine before but ALWAYS do several as a test on a scrap of the same type of fabric. You never know how it could act differently and avoiding ruining a button hole is ideal. Keep in mind, the interfacing added to the neckband in the pattern is to provide some structure for your buttons or snaps. If you chose to not add that, your button holes may not go as nicely or your snaps may pop off. 

Now let's talk about the fabrics. This velvet number is made from Rose Crushed Velvet from Mily Mae Fabrics. I worked with this exact same fabric on my Sinclair Jessica hack late last year and then just happened to get more in a scrap box. I wasn't sad as that Jessica dress was made for a specific occasion and the Gather Together is a piece I can wear all the time. Plus this crushed velvet is just the most gorgeous color. 

The grey and ivory striped medium weight sweater knit came from a scrap box. I don't recall where but I loved the weight on it. I didn't have enough for the cuffs and neckband so I used some remnants of the Mily Mae ivory distressed knit from last year as well. I loved the final outcome and combination together. 

My overall opinion of this pattern is that I love it! I love the surprising versatility of it. I never expected for it to be a cardigan but I truly will wear it that way in addition to a top. I have plans to do some hacks too so look out for those in the upcoming months. 

The Gather Together is available in Girls or Women's for $7 each or a bundle of both for $13. The sale pricing is valid through midnight on Monday January 28th, 2019.  

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