Drew's Finlayson Sweater
I've mentioned it before - but I'll mention it again. Drew is SO hard to make for. A few weeks ago it was our 7 year anniversary and I wanted to make him something really special. We've had a big year, with buying a house and finally moving out of Hoboken, and I wanted something handmade to give him.
A few of my ideas fell through when I couldn't find the proper fabric and I was frantically trying to find a new pattern to make. I did a quick search on pinterest and came across the Finlayson Sweater by Thread Theory Design.
Besides finding a pattern, picking the fabric was daunting. When I pick fabric for my wardrobe, it's easy and I have to talk myself out of several options! But when it came time for shopping for a guy, who has a very minimalist wardrobe, it was tough.
I came across this knit fabric that was "reversible", and since I wasn't sure which side to use in the store, darker or lighter, I thought having options within one fabric was a good call. I decided to go with the darker grey on the outside, so that the cozier grey would be on the inside. The light grey has a more casual feel, but with the dark grey on the exterior, he can actually wear this on a casual Friday at work!
The only thing left was getting Drew's measurements. Obviously he knew I was making him something, but since I took every measurement I could think of, he had no idea what I was making! I took leg measurements, arm, back, etc, so for all he knew I was making him a full suit! This gift wasn't a total surprise - but I could still keep him on his toes!
The Finlayson Sweater came together very quickly, and easily. The instructions were fantastic, and the only time I referred to the sew-a-long was to attach the neck band. I cut out this sweater on a Sunday night, to make on Monday, and was finished Monday afternoon!
Drew typically wears a size Large in ready to wear clothing, and I wound up making a Large in the sweater. It fits perfectly and he loves it!
It was such an easy pattern that I offered to make him another with fabric that he picks out and he was super happy to hear that!
Don't mind the fold on the front, I meant to iron it out but forgot before giving it to him and he wouldn't let me iron it out before he put it on!
It's been a few weeks and he's already worn his new sweater a couple times, which makes me happy - and I can't believe he even let me photograph him in it!
I won't share what I plan on making him for Christmas - just in case he happens to read this post - but I wanted to share some other patterns on my radar, if you want to make something for a man in your life!
Comox Trunks - boxer shorts
Sage Tee - this one's free!!
Albion Coat - for the ambitious!