Semper sweater plus free dress add-on release

I told you, Anne from Sofilantjes* is on a roll right? Pattern number three  from 2016 is released today, the Semper* sweater. It is an unisex sweater pattern with pockets that becomes a dress with the free dress add on pieces. This new sweater is the brother of the Hibernis*, the Hibernis has a skinny fit, the Semper has a loose fit (making it more suitable for boys as well), a different sleeve type, a fixed cowl and a new type of hood. Today, I am showing you both a sweater and a dress.

Let's start with the sweater. The side pieces invite to some interesting color blocking. I used another fabric piece from the sweater that I used here, and color blocked both the pocket and side piece with stripes. The idea behind it was that the pocket binding would look like another stripe, and it would make the pocket somewhat invisible. With hindsight, I like it better if the pocket has the same fabric as the front, but I get points for trying right?

There are two neckline options on the Semper, a hood and a cowl. My kids are huge hood fans, so I did not try the cowl option yet. The hood has an interesting folding detail, that I kind a forgot to make a detail picture off (palm to the face, so added a zoomed picture). If you check out the pattern in the shop you can see the overlap in the pattern drawing and listing though. The neckline of the Semper is the same as the neckline of the Omni Tempore, which means you can interchange the hoods!

The Semper has a raglan sleeve and comes in two sleeve lengths, short and long sleeves. Like I told earlier, my current sewing is sun orientated, so short sleeves have my preference. My son did not agree, more about that in my next post.

You can also make the Semper without separate side panels. No-blocking is also an official pattern option, those full pieces are supplied as well. Although my kids consider having pockets to be a basic need, you can consider the Semper to be a combination of a great basic pattern (no separate side panels) and a speciality pattern.

The free dress add-on pieces both fit the Semper and the Omni Tempore. As suggested in the pattern, I took one size smaller for my daughter for a skinnier fit (normally she has one size bigger than her brother), which meant I could reuse the shirt pieces I had cut earlier.  I used the Semper pockets at the bottom of the dress. I like the color blocking effect it gives, and because it is a minidress, she can even put her hands in them.

The raccoon fabric is from Lillestoff. As mentioned before, the stripes are from a recycled shirt. The purple fabric is from Nosh and is called "Cherry Friends" and I bought it last year from Joyfits (for a very low price). The pink ribbing is also from Joyfits and the dark pink side panel fabric, I bought on a market once.

Mental note to self, now that you can make pictures outside again, find a spot without a huge amount of weeds in the background...

The pattern comes in sizes 12m/80 to 14/164 and is available in both Dutch* and English* pdf. The pattern will be on sale for only $5 (excl. tax) for two days only (more than 40% discount), so get your copy now! The free dress add-on is automatically added to your Semper order and should already be visible in your files if you already bought the Omium Tempore. If you make a Semper and post it in the Sofilantjes Sew and Show Facebook group with  ‪#‎freesempersweater, you might win back you money. Check the group for the details.

I love to hear what you think of my creations. Feel free to leave a comment in the language you prefer (although Google translate might have to assist me if you choose something different than English, German, Dutch or Hungarian). If you buy anything through my affiliate links (*), I get a small commission (the price stays the same for you), I am very grateful for everything that feeds my fabric addiction.