Blackwood Cardigan Round 2

Unless you've been vacationing on Mars, you've seen all the love shown to the Blackwood Cardigan by Helen's Closet.  

All this love is for good reason.  This pattern is awesome!  It looks good in so many different fabrics and every version I see is so cute!  

In reorganizing my current sewing space to move to another, I am seriously wondering about my over-flowing stash and why I am hanging onto some fabrics for so long.  This floral knit mesh is one of those fabrics.  When I pulled it out again, it was like the creativity train hit me upside the head and the Blackwood Cardi came into site.  Bingo! 

This pattern can be totally sewn on the serger if you'd like.  It is drafted exceptionally well and versatile.  What else can I say about it?  

In case you are wondering about the length, I did add 4" to the bottom.  Since this is summer-weight, I also left off the cuffs and hemmed them.  I knew I'd be pushing them up.  If I pull them down, they are bracelet-length.  

With this ultra light weight fabric, I stabilized the shoulders and back neckline with SewkeysE tape 1/2" wide.  For the hemline I used 1" SewkeysE tape in clear so it's double sided. This stuff works like a dream!  

I did leave off the pockets since I knew I'd be wearing this over something that most likely had pockets.  

For the cami, I had a bit of this vibrant fabric left and since remnants aren't welcome in my sewing room any more, I decided to make a tank to wear under this cardi.  The pattern I chose is this one: 

As you can see, this is by Itch to Stitch.  This pattern is FREE!

I love testing different pattern companies FREE patterns and this one was a pleasure to sew.  I had fun color-blocking it with my remnants.  

Plus, it was a fun challenge to use the mesh as the binding at the neckline and arms.

Enough for now!  

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

Another summer dress--Jalie Nikita

Hi all,

Summer has arrived in full fury and I decided to sew some clothing for the HOT weather.  The pattern I used is the Nikita Workout Tank and Dress.  I made the dress.  Here's an image of the pattern.  

I love the swing style, the racerback and the side seams that end at the front of the dress.  

Here's my make: 

This is made entirely of remnants from other projects.  I consider that to be a free project.  Right?  

This dress is so perfect in hot weather.  It was a high of 96 today with a 'feels like' temp of 112 at its highest.  

I used three fabrics from Stof.  These knits are so amazing.  They sew like a dream.  

I do like the back.  It covers what you need to for a racer-back bra.  It doesn't cover it all, but enough.  

Here is a closer-up of the front.  The bands are very narrow.  I typically like my bands a bit wider.  When I made another version, I will widen these by about a 1/2".  For Jalie patterns, use your full-bust measurement.  It works.

Here's a bit closer of the back.  You can see how the front panel starts at the back.

I can't wait to try the workout top!

Thanks for reading!

Sue