3 makers, 1 pattern: reviewing the Sawyer hoodie

Sawyer Hoodie flat lay

The Sawyer hoodie is a zero waste pattern I released last month after a series of blog posts “show and telling” its development as it unfolded. The final post is here.

As a sort of adjunct to this I asked 3 friends who are prolific and adventurous in their sewing to give the pattern a try. By coincidence, they all chose blue fabric (as I did, funnily) which makes for a beautifully colour coordinated blog post!

Here’s how they went….

Sue lives in Western Australia and blogs at fadanista.com. She’s tried quite a few zero waste patterns before including some in Zero Waste Sewing (she participated in the book’s blog tour). Sue often uses second hand textiles and sometimes eco dyes fabrics. She wrote a whole blog post on sewing this top, which you can read here, so this is a bit of an excerpt.

She thought the 26.5cm of ease too roomy and went down a size, which turned out to be just right.

Sawyer Hoodie by Sue Stoney

Sue used a thrifted gingham curtain from Ikea. The fabric had a pretty selvedge, which she kept as a detail, and instead of hemming the sleeves she gathered them in with shirring. This is very much in the flavour of zero waste design and sewing – using what you have and making the most of it.

Sawyer hoodie by Sue Stoney showing sleeve detail

Sue concluded: I initially thought the top was a bit too utilitarian for me – with the pen pockets on the sleeves and the shoulder reinforcement pieces, and even that kangaroo pocket at the front. However, I would really like to sew a floral version, or one from a drapey rayon. I think fabric is everything – utilitarian if that’s what you want, or more dressy if that’s your thing. I’m definitely looking forward to styling this with lots of things.

If you have an interest in zero waste, this is a good garment to make.


Andrew of SewAndrew lives in the UK and has sewn practically every item of menswear you can think of and more (except a zero waste top).

He felt the hoodie had a bit a fisherman’s/artists smock vibe and quickly whipped one up in time for a trip to Cornwall, where he took these beach photos.

He had some blue linen that was a bit wider than the pattern called for, so he just went with it, which made the body and sleeves a bit longer. This had a knock-on effect to the pocket and other pieces which left him with a few bits leftover – he used those up by adding deep cuffs to the sleeves and buttoned tabs to hold the sleeves rolled up. I just love it when there’s a departure from the instructions and people make it their own.

Sawyer Hoodie made by SewAndrew with rolled up sleeves

Andrew picked a size 14 for a 40″ chest but said it’s definitely a very ‘comfy’ fit. I could probably size down (and will) on the next one. (Note: this top is easy to make smaller without changing any of the details; the side seams can be simply run in.)

Overall it was a really satisfying sew and I’m happy with the finished hoodie. It’s a great ‘throw on’ piece of clothing and I can imagine it working in many different fabrics (I’d quite like to wax this linen one if I can find the right product…)

Sawyer hoodie made by SewAndrew


Duane of Mainely Menswear lives in the USA and began sewing in order to have a coat in a colour other than black, ended up making every coat in a Japanese coat pattern book, and is now probably the best-dressed man in Maine.

This was his first time making a zero waste pattern. He said: this was a fun make, and WAY outside my usual way of working! The instructions were crystal clear, and it was fascinating to see the various shapes combine to make a wearable garment.

For something different, he dyed some white fabric using an indigo dyeing kit.

Sawyer hoodie fabric indigo dyed

Duane actually went up a size (his chest measurement and top are the same as this one).

The indigo pattern worked out very well.

Sawyer Hoodie worn by Duane of Mainelymenswear

He said the top came out 99.9% zero waste! He used fusible interfacing behind the hood’s buttonholes instead of the back neck strip.

Sawyer hoodie by Duane of Mainelymenswear


So, three very different tops made by three very individual makers.

Many thanks Sue, Andrew and Duane for giving this a whirl! I really appreciated your time and enthusiasm, and so glad you had fun with it.

Cheers!

PS: here are two other, very different, Sawyer hoodies: Michelle made one with long sleeves in linen for her husband and Esther used two fabrics and made hers like a sweater.

6 Comments

  1. Carol in Denver on October 20, 2020 at 4:39 am

    Love Andrew’s slouchy, oversize version. I can see him becoming identified with this garment, and handing it down to future generations.

    • lizhaywood on October 20, 2020 at 12:58 pm

      I like it too; it has a certain look, and I think he was just right when he described it as a “throw on” item of clothing.

  2. Sue Stoney on October 22, 2020 at 7:12 pm

    Thank you for asking me to make this hoodie Liz and for featuring it here. I loved the whole process and I have a hoodie that is perfect for spring.

    • lizhaywood on October 22, 2020 at 7:18 pm

      You’re so welcome Sue. Yours came out very well 🙂

  3. Martha on February 11, 2021 at 6:04 am

    I’m going to give this a try! It will be my first zero waste pattern I make. Im assuming it’s available at your etsy shop.

    • lizhaywood on February 11, 2021 at 11:49 am

      Good on you Martha! If you get stuck I’m always here to help 🙂

Leave a Comment