Hello!
You know when you have the perfect vision for a make? Pattern and fabric which are a match made in heaven...and nothing is going to stand in your way!
That was me with this knit fabric from Hawthorne Supply Co. The fabric was actually leftovers from a make I was commissioned to sew for someone else, but I knew it would make a divine Fall In Love Cardigan (pattern by Sew To Grow)
To make it happen I tapped in to all those wasted years playing Tetris! Naturally, I had to consider grain and stretch but by being willing to add extra seams and forsake pattern matching it was possible. For example, the neck band of this pattern is 2 pieces which join in a seam at the back of the neck. However my version has a 3 piece band and it was very lucky that my neck band seams matched the shoulder seams, making it look intentional.
I really had to get creative on the sleeves. I didn't have enough fabric for long sleeves, so was happy to go with the 3/4 sleeve option on the pattern. To achieve the 3/4 sleeves I had to add large cuffs to my sleeves, which is something I like to do anyway. I think longer sleeves on knit garments look much nicer with a cuff than just a hem. However, I didn't have enough fabric to cut 2 sleeves the same length so 1 of my sleeves has an extra seam at the elbow. Fortunately the pretty floral design disguises it well and there is even some unintentional pattern matching going on!
The original pattern has a waist tie...I didn't have any fabric left to make one, but am happy with it just as it is!
The Fall In Love Cardigan (by Sew To Grow) is a pattern I have made twice before and absolutely love. It is a fast and easy make and is effortless styling for all seasons.
Moral of the story is: when you really love a fabric, you can make marvelous things happen! This cardi is perfect for layering and for warmer months. Remember, the fabric requirements on a pattern are just a guide!
For reference: I made size xs and added 12cm in length.
Happy Sewing!
xox Allison
Hello!
It was love at first sight with the Matilda Shirt Dress by Megan Neilsen. I bought it right away, glued together & cut out the pdf (yes, I prefer glue to tape. It's a controversial divide in the pdf pattern community!!!) and then it sat in my sewing room. I even had the perfect fabric for it in my stash!
At the time I was using a vintage machine, which meant manual buttonholes. Try as I might, my buttonholes were always different sizes which made me crazy!! You can read more about my experience with my new Designer Jade 35 machine over on the Husqvarna Viking Australia blog.
To make this pattern fit me, I added 2.5cm to the bodice length (may do slightly less next time) and 10cm to the skirt length. I graded between XS & S sizes too.
The dress has a lot of pieces, but the instructions are really clear and easy to follow (I actually followed them!). I love the fit of the dress which makes me want to try more of Megan Neilsen's patterns! I like that the waistband and yoke are lined and don't get me started on those great skirt pockets...love!!!
The shape of the skirt is really great too, swishy without being too much of a fabric hog! I find that the buttons can pull when you sit in straighter shirt dresses, but that doesn't happen with this skirt. All in all, this is a shirt dress that I'm really happy with!
It is a pattern I'll make again, perhaps I'll try adding sleeves for cooler weather.
Happy Sewing!
xox Allison
