December Garment of the Month

I finally completed what was to be December Garment of the Month.  After making View A of M6844 in stash fabric and perfecting the fit, I cut out View C and cut out the boucle knit fabric from Fabric Mart.

I enjoyed sewing this project and can understand why so many other sewists have chosen to make this cardigan time and time again.

Many reviews indicate that the pattern runs large and that the fronts do meet.  I found that to be somewhat true.  When I sew a pattern that is sized by xs to xl, I always fall between what I size I really need.  As with this pattern, I purchased the xs-m because the bust measurement is the right size for the upper chest.  I need the large for my bust size but medium works great for my back.  The large was not included in this pattern so using the medium required a FBA.  I made a a one inch FBA and kept the resulting dart.

As many indicated the shoulders run large and with most McCall patterns for me the shoulder area is always to large, so adjusted them by about 3/8 inch; I also made a 3/8 inch narrow back adjustment as well.  The sleeves are very tight and many reviewers noted this.  On the black and white cardigan, I added actually two inches to the arms and ended up taking out an inch.  On the boucle knit after adjusting the sleeve pattern taking the adjustment to one inch extra, the sleeves are rather snug.  I think that the snugness is the difference in the knits and the amount of stretch.  Still wearable.  I also shortened the sleeve length by an inch which is a typical adjustment for me.

I made my usual sway back adjustment in View A and decided that the upper back length was still too long as it was pooling in the back.  I shortened an additional 1/2 inch making the back fit better.  I wish I had shortened the back peplum as the length is a little longer that I thought it would be and should I make another one, I will make that adjustment

Some reviewers indicated that the had an issue with attaching the neck band and had to really stretch it to meet at the bottom edge.  I cut the bottom edge of the band about 1/2 inch longer so when you sew the bottom edge of the two bands together it lined up well at the bottom.  I also sewed from the bottom up to the center back seam; then flipped the jacket over and sewed from the bottom of that side up to center back and all went together well.

Here is the garment on Alma Marie.

AlmaMarie is broader in the back than I am, so not as snug fitting on me. This boucle knit was fairly easy to sew.  It is a wool blend boucle knit so I think it will be warm.  Giving our current frigid temps I think I will well it often.