S1920 || Cascade Cardigan

I first spied this cardigan at the Simplicity style show at the Puyallup Sewing Expo in March. It's the first swing cardi I've seen that has both bust darts and shape paired with the "swingy-ness" you want in this sort of cardigan. A total win!

 

S1920 Pattern Description: Misses' & Plus Size skirt, top, jacket, scarf and belt sewing pattern. Sew Stylish Collection. American Sewing Guild. 

Pattern Sizing: 10-18, 20W-28W. Mine is a 14 in the bust, and a 16 in the waist/hips.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes!

Were the instructions easy to follow? Incredibly easy. Coupled with fact I didn't hem anything, it went together really quickly!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? It came together quickly -- the cutting took the longest since it's a fiddly fabric with lots of holes. I had to use a shorter stitch length to accommodate for the fabric.

Fabric Used: Holey polyester knit from JoAnn's clearance racks. I think the overall project was about $12 including the pattern.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I didn't hem a darn thing. I am a rebel in this way. :) Also, after a couple of wearings, the droopy sleeves really started getting on my nerves. I purchased some Sulky water soluble stabilizer and cuffed up the sleeves. I also removed the sleeve carriers and buttons. I like this better for the fabric I have.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would make this again, but I'll use a more stable knit next time. I'd recommend it.

 
Conclusion: It's an attractive cardigan with shape that goes with a remarkable amount of items in my wardrobe! If you want a quick project (which I seem to be addicted to) this is a great pattern!

Faux Fur Stole Tutorial

In Italy, faux and real fur clothing and accessories were EVERYWHERE. Fur vests, little boxy fur jackets and fur stoles are on trend for Fall/Winter 2010. Nothing looked terribly difficult to construct, so when I got home, I decided to make a stole for myself. It's SUPER easy, incredibly quick and delightfully chic. Make one for yourself! Here's how:

Supplies:

• 1/8 – 1/4 yd. faux fur
• 1/8 – 1/4 yd. lining fabric
• tracing paper, pen, ruler, scissors
• razor blade 
• needle and thread
• one chopstick

How to:

Step 4

Step 6

1. Make a paper template that is half the length of your finished stole. Mine was 31"L x 6.5"W. Taper and round off the ends so they're not square. 
2. Cut out your lining fabric on the fold with this template.
3. Lay the template on your faux fur with fur side down. Leave enough room on the fabric to "flip" the template horizontally when you're done cutting out half of the stole. Pin template to faux fur.
4. Using a razor blade (never scissors!), cut out faux fur, slicing only through the backing of the fabric, not the fur.
5. Flip the template horizontally and complete cutting the faux fur with the razor.
6. With right sides together, pin the faux fur to the lining, using the chopstick to encourage all the little hairs to stay inside the "burrito". Leave a 6" gap open to pull the fabric through. (see pic, Step 6)
7. Sew everything but the 6" gap. I used a 5/8" seam allowance.
8. Pull the right side of the stole thru the gap.
9. Pull out any hairs that were trapped in the seams with the chopstick.
10. Sew up the gap, by hand, with a running stitch.
11. Secure wrap in place with a decorative pin or drape it over yourself like a diva!

Go forth and rock that stole!