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Named Clothing Talvikki Sweater + Pattern Review
I sewed this wool jersey sweater after buying the Named Clothing Talvikki sewing pattern during the 12 days of Christmas sale. Here is the line drawing.
The Talvikki sweater is an oversized sweater featuring a turtleneck with darts, dropped shoulders and extra long sleeves. It has deep vent on the side seams with the back hem being longer than the front hem creating a feature of the side seams.
Read: Hila’s Halla Coat – Named Patterns Breaking the Pattern Book
Sewing Construction
The pattern include seam allowances of 1cm which I prefer. I selected my size based on my bust measurements. I traced the size EUR 36/38 UK8/10 US4/6. I used my overlocker for the sleeve seam but everything else was sewn on my normal machine. I did use my walking foot due to the thickness of the wool jersey.
Marking the darts accurately is critical (speaking from experience here) those lines come out nicely only when marked properly. Yes, I had to unpick one or 2 darts because I was rushing myself. Once I slowed down and took the time to mark with my Frixion pens – the darts looked symmetrical as they are meant to be.
Another thing to watch out for is the interfacing used at the neck – I’d use knit fabric interfacing i.e. fusible interfacing for stretch fabrics. The fit on the neck is close but without a closure the neck need to stretch over your head. Knit fusible interfacing will give you the added structure so the funnel neck stands proud but also has the give to stretch out when putting it on (speaking from experience again here :-). The jumper came together quickly after that.
Size and fit
The sizing was spot on and I didn’t make any alterations at all.
Pros and Cons
My thoughts are that it is very quick to sew up and took one sitting to finish. The sleeves are very straight forward and there is no easing involved. The most challenging part for the beginner might be the mitred corners. The instructions are well written and I was able to follow them – it was my first time sewing mitred corner so I relied heavily on the instructions.
Personally I feel like the side vent is too high for a winter garment given that its supposed to keep me warm and cosy. With my poor circulation I would feel this gap acutely. In winter I wore it layered over thermal sweater underneath.
The other issue was with my broad shoulder, though the fit is quite good there is some puddling under the collar and I have to do something like swayback adjustment to remove the pooling fabric.
Fabric – Wool Jersey
The reccommended fabric is for a medium weight fabric with at least 30% stretch. The fabric I used for the sewing project is a wool jersey that I bought from Fabworks.
It washes in the machine and I tumble dry it on low – that seems just fine. I have since washed this about 5 times now with no problems.
I managed to cut out the sweater from 1.5 meters of fabric.
Future sewing
I plan on making this again in a cobalt blue wool jersey also from Fabworks but I will lengthen it while shortening the side vent.
Verdict
It is simple minimalist Scandi chic at its best and quite appealing on gray days. I was a bit ‘meh‘ about it when I finished it but surprisingly found myself pulling it on a lot. Which can only tell me that I like it :-).
I will report back on the ‘neck swayback’ adjustment in autumn when I get round to making the second one.
Naomi
June 19, 2017 4:24 amLiterally have been drooling over this pattern for months and only just purchased it! Great to read your review. Where was the fabric pooling? And what seam did you adjust to fix it?
Naomi
June 19, 2017 4:25 amSorry – just read your last sentence. So you didn’t adjust this one? Looks fab!!
Zoe
June 19, 2017 6:45 amSuper cute, wool jersey is on my to-sew list! Your lipstick in your second instagram photo really suits you too by the way 🙂
Hila
July 5, 2017 10:45 amThanks Zoe! I have been dipping my toes into the make up world and decided that I want a statement red lip. Not sure about it yet but it nice to know that it looks good and not wierd on me. xxx
shoes15
June 19, 2017 3:51 pmLooks great – thanks for drawing attention to it. I had not heard of this pattern before. I agree about the high slit – I tried on a sweater like that last winter and I thought “Who wants an inch of flesh showing?”
Hila
July 5, 2017 10:44 amThank you! Lol – I guess some people want to feel a nice draft in winter :-))0
Barbara Quinn
June 19, 2017 5:07 pmI see myself in your shoulder line problem. If you are like me, you have square shoulders with little slope, so the fabric pools/wrinkles below your neck because your shoulders are “raising” the fabric up at the armhole level. I think you could easily alter the pattern when you make your next one. I LOVE this pattern on you! Great choice of fabric, too.
Hila
July 5, 2017 10:43 amThank you Barbara! I hope my fix works on the next one. If not I will try widening the shoulder a bit.
Mads (lifeinamadshouse)
June 19, 2017 8:07 pmI love your version of this pattern! The white wool just makes it look so luxurious and high-end. 🙂 I am desperate to make another Talvikki in a stretch boiled wool, like the pattern sample garment, and yours is just reinforcing my vision, haha!
I have some weirdness around the neck area of this pattern too, but mine appears to be caused by my prominent collarbones so I have no good advice on the pooling issue. =/ Regardless, this sweater is gorgeous on you and I am so glad it became an often-worn item for you!
Hila
July 5, 2017 10:42 amThank you! Sometime things grow on you. x
ellegeemakes
June 20, 2017 1:58 amI have been eyeing this pattern for awhile and love your version of it! My neck is short though and my shoulders are narrow, so I’ve been reluctant to try it. Not sure what to do about pooling of fabric….but it looks great on you!! I must try this one.
Hila
July 5, 2017 10:42 amThank you!
Kim
June 30, 2017 8:49 pmThis sweater looks like a keeper – but I agree with adjusting the vent length if nothing else. Brrrrr!
Hila
July 5, 2017 10:24 amThank you!