Sunday, January 26, 2014

Simple Sewing

Yep, I'm still here. It's just that some life activities, chores (and football playoffs!) have zapped the blogging and sewing time/energy.

I started my latest project last weekend. A really simple sew with a "pattern" made by using a crayon to rub off seam lines onto tracing paper laid over a RTW cardi that I've wanted to duplicate forEVER.

This is the finished result, using a 2-yard cut of a lightweight sweater knit purchased from Fabric.com a couple of years ago.


And a little bit wider shot cuz I like sneaking a peak at others' homes too. ;-) But don't get too used to this view because I think Alex and I might be moving soon after my lease is up in May. I want to spend less in rent and he wants to be closer to work, so we're thinking about leaving Valrico after more than 20 years and heading across the bay to Pinellas County. We'll see. I know I'm NOT looking forward to packing again. And I can't believe I've been here almost 2 years already.


Here's the RTW cardi I used for the rub-off pattern.


And the copycat, but with long sleeves. Hey, it's been COLD here. Really.


The front and back pattern pieces I rubbed off. No seam allowances, of course, but I added them as I rotary cut the fabric.


The sleeve pattern was adapted from my TNT Ottobre tee since it's impossible to lay a sewn sleeve flat and rub off a pattern. Well, probably not impossible, but certainly more fiddly time than I was willing to spend. All I did to adapt the sleeve pattern I had was to measure the armhole opening from the pieces above and add to the underarm seam of the TNT sleeve so they matched. Highly scientific.


This is my TNT front bodice laid over the tracing to give you an idea of shape.


All of the outside edges of the cardi are finished with bands. On the RTW cardi, they are knitted in, but in a different stitch (or something ... I don't knit) so they look like separate bands. When sewing, they had to actually be separate bands.


I just measured the widths of the RTW bands and doubled that so I could fold in half for a finished edge, and then added seam allowances to the measurements. Then I measured around the outside pattern edges to figure the lengths needed for each section.I winged it for the sleeve cuffs. ;-) The neckline band is folded around the neck edge to create a shawl collar, and hand-stitched at the CB to hold it in place. This was done on the RTW cardi too.


To construct, you sew the body together like any other knit top, including sleeves and sideseams. Then the bands are pressed in half RS out and added to the raw edges like this: The bottom band (green) first, then the front (blue) band, and lastly the neckline (pink) band. The bottom edge of the front (blue) band has to be finished and turned before sewing on the band, and the same for the front edges of the neckline (pink) band.


And that's it. Really easy "drafting" and sewing.

24 comments:

  1. Well done!! What a great piece for casual wear as well as office wear.

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  2. Pretty top! Apparently we aren't too far north of you. We're in our RV at Crystal River until mid March. Where's the warm weather we've had in previous years?! ;)

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  3. Cute cardigan, but what I really wanted to say is that you look so happy lately! Good for you. :) (Love those fall-ish colors on you too.)

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  4. I'm freezing, that cardi looks comfy. And YES! Move on out here to the west side, that would be so cool. :) K

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  5. Nice idea and it turned out great!

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  6. What a great copy. Love the fabric. I can't believe it was 2 years ago that you moved either.

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  7. 2 years? Boy time flies! Good copy. These are so versatile

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  8. That is a great copy and a very nice cardi!!

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  9. Wow this is neat. I love projects like this.

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  10. Very nice jacket and perfect for work, I would suspect.

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  11. Huh, great job on the 'reproduction' and self-drafting! I've had hit and miss (more miss than hit unless you mean "hit with the ugly stick") with tracing out RTW, so I'm really impressed with how good yours turned out!

    Those are such good colours on you.

    Also, loved the peak at your house!! :D

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  12. Great idea on the rub off for the RTW cardigan. I love your new one and the colors are so you. Good luck with finding a new rental.

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  13. Come on over to Pinellas county, we would love to have you.

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  14. Come on over to Pinellas county, we would love to have you.

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  15. Thanks for sharing. Love the look. I am glad things are looking up for you.You're inspiring, and generous too.
    Have a great day
    Josie Huber

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  16. I love this--you are sew creative (sorry for the lame humor). I have a cardi I love & you have inspired me to try this.

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  17. You make it look so easy! as it should be.
    I really like how you didn't over-think this, you created a wonderful garment. the colors suit you so well.

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  18. Love your new cardi! You'll be a pro at moving soon.

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  19. Cardi looks great and so do you, really beautiful. Interesting post.

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  20. It looks so comfy, and beautiful on you as well! :)

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  21. That's a good copy! I have a thing or two that I might try to replicate - some day.

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Thank you for each and every comment. I appreciate them all, but I have to be honest and let you know that I'm usually bad about answering questions. I hope you understand that there just isn't enough time in the day to do everything I want to do.

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