Saturday, January 04, 2014

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.


19 comments:

  1. beautiful and looks so warm...i bet it would rock with that skirt!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It turned out great, it looks so warm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you and thank you for your comments about the shoulder. It is a warm cardigan.

      Delete
  3. So cute. I love the slight nubbyness of the fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Really lovely. I like how the dress matches so well.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your boucle sweater is so pretty, and looks warm and cozy. Our cold temps are definitely pushing me to sew jackets rather than dresses and blouses

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Audrey. Yes the temps are just too cold for me but it keeps me in my sewing room when not working!!

      Delete
  6. This looks so cozy and pretty! I was afraid to sew with boucle - thinking it would be hard. It has such a great look though - I might have to try it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This boucle is a knit and does not have as much stretch as other knits nor did it meet the stretch test on the pattern. It worked out okay but ended up taking3/8 inch side seams instead of the 5/8.

      Delete
  7. The jacket is beautiful and the fabric is perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The jacket looks awesome!! Love the fabric too

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! It is a warm fabric and I loved the texture.

      Delete
  9. Beautiful. Love the color and fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is very cute! The boucle was a nice choice for the style--the peplum lays so well.

    ReplyDelete

August Sewing Simplicity 7295

 I am not doing well as a blogger. I have been working on this project since July 30. Today, I finally finished it. It has been a stop-and-g...