Floral Cardigan

This Madison Cardigan pattern by @stylesewme has been on my to do list for much too long! 

I purchased the pattern when it was 1st published, but just could not find the perfect fabric. Then...Minerva sent me this glorious Ponte Roma knit with this beautiful print and I knew it was going to be this pattern! 

I found the fabric and pattern easy to work with. I cut a size XL and did not need to make any atlerations! 

The instructions stressed stay-stitching the back neckline, but I used the technique that I use on most knits. I applied fusible knit tape on the back neckline as well as the shoulders. I then sergeged the neckline.

A narrow hem was also used in the instructions, but because the wrong side of the fabric is black, I decided that I didn't want to see the print on the wrong side. So I opted for purchased bias binding. And I'm very happy with the outcome! 

I tried it on twice...before and after I added the binding. I have to tell you that I was in love with the fit, but even more so with the drape of this garment!

I loved it so much that I did not want to take it off after either try on! It is even more lovely that I thought it would be...both the fabric and the pattern design! 

It was quite a windy day when I took the photos, but I think they work! 

Would I make it again? Definitely! 

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Day and Night Dress Challenge

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Elizabeth Farr from Elizabeth Made This is conducting a Day/Night Dress Challenge. 

Although this is the 3rd year for this challenge, this is my 1st time participating!

I know, I know...fewer challenges this year, she said!

But...I couldn't resist!

This was a mostly no-sew challenge for me!

The challenge was to pull a dress from our closet that we've not worn or hadn't worn in ages and create 2 pieces to wear with it...or create/add accessories! 

Sew I did! I altered my dress and added accessories!

I made this self-drafted black knit dress in 2007 for an event I was going to with my daughter.
  I made it full length and made a red shawl to wear with it.

Then I gained weight, but I still loved the dress and the knit fabric - so I kept it!

For the challenge I thought of this dress and pulled it out hoping that it fit now!  It did! But it was much too long and I didn't want to wear it as a maxi.  Covering my entire body with black is not a good look for me.  I need and love color!

Sew...I cut it shorter and left it a about 3 inches longer in the back.

 That was my only sewing for this challenge!

For my Day Look, I added my McCalls 6802 cardigan from my Online Sewing Class and my "go" boots.  I call them my "go" boots because they serve me well in the crazy Illinois winters. 

But for those of you who know me...you know I couldn't stop there!  

For my 2nd Day Look, I added my favorite infinity scarf and switched my boots for booties!

 I'm not sure which one I love more...the dress or the cardigan!  But I do obviously love gold! 😍

On to My Night Look!  

Same dress, but this time with the oh so popular McCall's 6844 peplum jacket (which I believe is now out of print).

I also switched up my jewelry and added my booties!

All of the jewelry I'm wearing in all of the looks is from my friend and sew sister Chandrika Hayes at Divinely 5 Styles - click here to see her unique pieces. 😎

For my 2nd Night Look, I simply switched to black pumps!

This was a fun challenge!  

The real challenge was bringing all the pieces together for the photos!  LOL!

Did you participate in this challenge? 

If so, I hope to see your creations on Instagram or in Elizabeth's Blog!

Happy Endless Sewing!

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Sew Let's Sew!

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Sew! Let's Sew!

I am SEW excited to announce that my 3rd, Yes 3rd 

Online Sewing Course is up and running on the website!

My classes are offered as either stand-alone courses or 6 month memberships courses!  You can register for classes at any time and will have lifetime access to any course you purchase.  

For those who purchase the 6 month membership course, you will also have access to a private group where you can post pictures and ask questions!

Click here for pricing and registration!

In this course I teach how to make a knit cardigan!  Cardigans are perfect all year round!

Below are some of the topics presented in this course!

• How to preserve fabric
• When, where and why to use interfacing
• How to make the pockets
• Top stitching
• How to choose the correct stitch lengths
• Serger tips
• Top-stitch finishes
• When and why to press
• Final finishes of your knit cardigan

Check out my promotional video!  

And while you're there, check out the rest of my YouTube Channel!

You will be using a combination of your sewing machine and serger (if you have one).

Pattern layout is a tedious, but necessary and fun part off the process!

Let's get those pieces together!

Use your sewing machine and serger in tandem to create beautiful, professional looking garments!

 Celebrate your success!

Happy Endless Sewing!

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Sweater Hack!

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Sweater Hack!

If you know anything about my sewing style,

you know that I love a great pattern hack! 

This time I hacked Butterick 6244! I found a medium weight navy sweater knit at Joann's a few weeks before I went to the Houston International Quilt Festival last month.  Due to the changing weather in Chicago, I knew I needed something warm to wear while traveling - and I did not want to lug a full coat!

I was looking for denim for a totally different garment!  But when I saw this fabric, I forgot about the denim, because I knew this sweater knit would be perfect for transitioning from the Chicago cold to the cold aircraft to Houston (which was not as warm as it was last year).  The waterfall front was perfect for wrapping myself in this warm knit!

The pattern is designed to be longer in the front than in the back (a look I don't like for myself).  Sew... I reversed it and made the back longer and made it curved it vs. leaving it straight.  I love the resulting feminine look of the back!

I also hacked the waterfall shape of the front - I wanted soft edges vs sharp angles! I jokingly told the ladies in my FaceBook Group that I did 8000 fittings.  It certainly felt like that, but I am more than happy with the front shaping!

Now that all the fittings are done - I now have a new pattern that I can make again.  Oh yes, I make and keep copies of most of my hacks!

I completed most of the construction on my serger.  I set my differential feed to 2.0 for the entire construction.  Even though my current compulsion is bias binding finishes, I finished the edges on the serger by decreasing the stitch length - that gave the edges full coverage.  I opted to turn the sleeves up 3/4" and top-stitched them.

I think this is a very versatile piece! It can be dressed up or down!  And it is now one of my staple pieces! I received quite a few compliments in both the O'hare and Houston Airports! A Supervisor at the Houston Airport has actually commissioned me to make one for her!

A young design student in the Houston airport asked me to take it off so she could see the inside...I happily obliged!  She REALLY examined it!  I enjoyed watching her turn it inside and out and back inside again.  The entire time she was examining it, I could not help but think of what I often say to my students and other sewists...our me-made garments need to look as good on the inside as they do on the outside!

 Are you making cardigans or dusters this season?  My next Online Sewing Course will be a cardigan - which can be lengthened to a duster...with pockets! It will be available this month.  You can purchase the stand alone course or you can opt to purchase the 6 month membership, which includes all 6 courses regardless of when you join!

My classes include bonus videos for those who purchase the membership program.  This month the bonus videos will be about pockets...with a free pattern!

Happy Endless Sewing!

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