Due to a recent and severe case of cardigan and blazer envy I’ve unintentionally made the Morris Blazer, The Oslo Cardigan and now The Cabernet Cardigan! Thank goodness for blogging!
I first heard of SBCC’s latest pattern when Lladybird made this striped one, and this leopard one.
I knew straight away I want to make one and as Betsy was offering free P&P (from America!!) I didn’t hesitate and ordered a hard copy. Although I don’t mind PDF’s, if time is on my side and it’s not too expensive I do prefer a hard copy. I think it took around 2 1/2 weeks to arrive, which I didn’t think was too bad.
I was in a bit of dilemma before I could order my pattern. The sizes are split in 2 – skinny bitches and curvy chicks. I’m sort of somewhere in between. Maybe a curvy bitch, I’m not sure! And also, I didn’t realise the sizes shown are for the finished measurements. Doh! So I ordered the sizes xxs-l, which has a finished bust circumference of 42 1/2 inches for a large. I measure this so had no ease on the chest!
I was a bit worried devastated that I’d ordered the wrong size, and I did quite a bit of reading about FBAs. I measured my upper bust and decided the way forward was to go with the large and do a 1 inch FBA (adding 2 inches in total) and hopefully this should fit!
This is how it looked when I’d finished. I used the instructions in the GBSB series 3 book which were really easy to follow. I wasn’t entirely convinced it had worked until I measured the side of my new front against the old back piece and it fit perfectly. It was magic before my eyes!
And just a reminder to myself in the future, and anyone who might forget the obvious, if there are other bits attached such as hem bands and front bands then they need extending too!
I’d recently bought some Wool Blend in Foxglove Pink, and a Ponte Jersey in Indigo Marl from one of my favourite fabric stores which happen to sell their remnants on Ebay. I’m probably going to regret putting their link on as I’d like to think I have first pick at their bargain fabrics!
The middle and the right fabric are the ones I used, the left is a chambray that I bought at the same time and and am still wondering what to make with it.
Once I’d cut out my pattern (I didn’t bother tracing – yippee – as I was making the biggest size) and cut out the fabric, the making up was plain sailing.
There was a funny moment near the end of construction when hubby and son both dived into the bag of buttons thinking they were sweets:
The instructions were really straight forward and the fabric sewed like a dream. There were one or 2 things I did differently which were:
- Stay-stitched the front of the cardigan and the back neckline.
- Top-stitched everywhere I could – I love top-stitching!
- I even stitched down my bust darts which I think make it look more RTW
I’m so so so happy with the finished garment, and have had lovely comments too. Yesterday I played golf in a team match – the civilised ones where we change for tea afterwards. The lady sat to my right only happened to be a retired seamstress and teacher! OMG!! A friend told her I’d made my cardigan and she immediately asked to see inside!
I brazenly flung it open and proudly flashed my innards!!
And then today I turned up to work in it at 6:45am and was asked if i’d not been home. Cheeky monkeys thought I’d come in from a night on the town last night as I was looking unusually smart!
So without further ado, here is photo overload……
THE PICTURE BELOW IS PROBABLY THE TRUEST ONE SHOWING THE COLOUR – ESPECIALLY THE SLEEVES WHICH THOUGH DESCRIBED AS INDIGO, REMIND ME OF A HEATHER COLOUR.
The main thing I would do different next time is to use dark interfacing instead of white. I never gave it a thought that when I opened up my butten holes that the white would show!
Oh, and fancy some button envy………. and doesn’t my blingy necklace go with it!
After work tonight we had tea at my mum in laws and I got H to take some pics in the front garden before it got dark. Can you spot George the bull dog? I never realised that whilst H was taking the pics there was a stick near my feet and George was eyeing it up!
So, how do you like my new cardi? That’s 3 different outer wear things this month, 2 casual tops and a little bit of crochet. Oh, and 2 #jumpingintojune muslins! Luckily I’ve only had to work 9 days this month as I’ve taken some annual leave, and had lots of me time!
How’s your month been? And will you be jumping into June?
This post is part of Helena’s link party over at Gray All Day, Sew It Chic in a week!
T H I M B E R L I N A 
Wow! That is so professional!!!
Thank you! I find simple patterns show off the little finishing touches! It’s easier than a frock, no zips or tricky hems 😃
Definitely very professional looking. I like the colour combination, they work really well together. But I must admit the buttons are my favourite bit!
The buttons took some finding! I didn’t really know what I wanted but then when I saw them I knew they were the one! ❤️
That is some impressive sewing. The top stitching is amazing and the innards are just gorgeous. But what a dilemma, trying to decide if your size is skinny bitch or curvy chick 🙂
I used my stitch in the ditch foot for the top stitching, which really helped. I think I have skinny hips and a curvy tummy, probably not the best combination, but not sure what is! 😃
Stunning! Are you sure its not the cardigan George is eyeing up? And although you may have gnashed your teeth a little over the wrong size pattern, it’s always good to learn how to modify things. Looks like you’re becoming queen of the cardigans!
Haha, George had already slobbered all over me! ..the Cardigan Queen…! Like that, lol!
Think this is a classier make than the Oslo, maybe cos the fabric was from down your way! 😃
Ha ha! So classy down here 😉
Wow!!! Love the colours. It looks amazing!
Thanks Nee! Think the pink would suit you, and go with your gbsb skirt you blogged about the other day x
As welong as green, I love fuchsia pink!
Wow lovely colours and perfect sewing! Well outerwear is just what we need in this up-and-down weather.
Thanks Beth, I working on the assumption now that if I don’t make anything summery the sun might come out! I think maybe instead of making jumpsuits we should make rain ponchos! 😃
Lovely innards!! You could wear it inside-out, it’s so neat. What’s next? Is it nearly Jumpsuit time?
Thankyou!
I nearly made a little button up top this morning from Lekala, but the pattern and Muslin are now in the bin! Yer can’t win ’em all! The jumpsuit is next, need to do my 3rd muslin, but I think I’ll do it in a cotton print in case it turns out ok 😀
Love this! Hadn’t really looked twice at this pattern… now I have!
Oh, it’s definitely worth a look! As it fits so well across the shoulders I’m also thinking I’m going to try and hack a T Shirt pattern out of this too.
Ali, this cardigan is adorable! I love the color blocking, and all your stitching/seams look perfectly smooth and professional. I think you can proudly flash the insides to anyone who might ask, LOL. 🙂 You’ve been having the opposite month in sewing as I have been – hardly anything has been sewn all month due to my recent apartment move. Hoping to fix that soon!
Thanks for the lovely comments Carolyn! I am super duper pleased with it, and although it does look really professional it was probably one of the most straight forward things I’ve made! Just need an archer to go under it! I really need to dust off that traced off pattern!
Hope you’re settling in and soon be back sewing!
Wow! Beautiful cardigan! All the neat details and those colours go so well together. Thanks for sharing the link to the Ebay shop – already saw some affordable silk habutai 😁. Lobe thw pictures so much – you dog’s fixed gaze on the stick had me in stitches!
Thanks Hila! It was a shaky moment sharing that link! I’ve bought quite a few fabrics from them and they’ve all been gorgeous, and also if you’re ever down there on holiday you need to loose the family and go to the shop!
Great colour combinations and cute buttons – I do love a nice button and plenty of top stitching. It looks really easy to wear, kind of smart casual. I bet it’ll be so useful.
Thankyou! I think the top stitching can get contagious and every seam seems to ‘need’ it to look finished off!
Happy Holidays! If won’t be cardi weather where you are!
Awesome color blocking. I love this cardigan it is so polished looking and you look amazing in it! You have definitely been making good use of your time off and produced some great garments 🙂
Thankyou! It’s turned out better than I thought it would, and looks much smarter. I need another soon! Maybe a more casual one… I feel the fabric shops calling me, lol!
Great cardigan, and well done with the FBA that you will no doubt use on many more occasions. I love the dog!
Definately! I was amazed at how well it fit across the shoulders. I never thought my girls were so big, and thought my extra inches came from a broad back, but I was wrong! I’m going to use this pattern to make some tops and just tweak the front a bit I think.
That is Lovely! Gorgeous colour choices, and you have finished it beautifully, nice work Mrs! 🙂
Thanks Fiona! I’m really pleased with it, I can’t claim too much credit for the colour choices as it sort of just happened when the parcel dropped through the door at around the same time my pattern did – must’ve been fate!
I was always interested in that pattern. I’ve tried out their free tee shirt pattern and I was very happy with it. Now I know what their cardigan looks like – great! (I am not jumping into June….unfortunately I cannot wear a one piece jumpsuit without looking like a short Santa Claus… But I’m going to enjoy seeing what everyone else comes up with!)
Haha… I was surprised that my muslin wasn’t as horrific as I expected! I’ve made the Lemoncello cardigan and the manhattan pants from SBCC and they turned out great too. Unfortunately the pants are too small now! ….must’ve shrunk in the wash …I wish!
Yes, I have a few things that “shrunk in the wash” too. They went to the second hand/charity store when I cleaned out my closet. Hopefully someone can use them.
Love the colour combinations. I’ll bet you’ll be wearing that loads – it’s gorgeous! 😀
Thanks Corrine, you’re right, I’ve not had it off my back since, it’s really comfy 😉
Bee-autiful insides – congratulations! So not my colours, but they look great on you. Buttons are perfect, and laughed about your menfolk thinking to eat them. Hehehe! Will keep my fingers crossed for some warmer weather for all you folks. We’re due a heat wave coming up – would gladly blow it across the pond. ☀️☀️☀️
Ooooo, please… send us some sunshine! I would gladly put my lovely new cardi back in the wardrobe if only it would warm up!
☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️
and some on account! ☀️☀️☀️
It worked!!! Thankyou!! Would it be greedy to ask for you to send some more?? 😀
Practical, not greedy! How’s about some of that rain? ☀️☀️☀️🌼🌹🌼
I hope I haven’t been very annoying with my grrr! want to see comments, but now that I have seen the finished thing, I believe that my reaction was justified. I fell in love with the colour but the sewing is perfection, inside and outside and the buttons are the perfect match for it (candy only for the hand that sews). Love your topstitching and well, I really want this cardigan, (and your Morris blazer, haha) Well done for making such a beautiful garment despite the sizing adventure 😉 Your are the cardie queen!! On the jumping into June, my zippers are failing me, but I will definitely have something for the challenge. Is there a deadline or any time in June is ok?
Aw thanks for the lovely comments! And no, you’ve not been annoying, you’ve been funny with your Grrrs! I wish I could claim all the glory for the topstitching by boasting a steady hand, but I couldn’t have done it without my stitch in the ditch foot – i lined it up with the edge and moved the needle a bit to the left.
What’s happening with your zips? If i ever have a wobble I always go back and watch my zip craftsy class that’s free just to job my memory, as I’ve never had lessons and just make stuff up as I go along!
Any time in June is good for posting. I’ve not yet made mine, just muslins so far, but I’m hoping it won’t take long. You gonna make a Janckie O to go with it? Love your colour blocked one! 🙂
I think you should claim the glory, foot or hand, you drive, so your glory haha! My zips grrrr! I think I’m left with some crappy ones and they keep breaking after trying them out a couple of times, I got trapped in the latest muslin haha! I need to buy new ones! Hmm, I hadn’t thought of making a Jackie o to go with it, I definitely have more scraps! The way it’s going I will have unpacked everything by the time we move haha! Looking forward to seeing your jumpsuit, the muslins looked great!
Oh no! Bet it was funny though, well, afterwards! I got stuck in my wedding dress on my wedding night. My hubby was too drunk to unfasten it so I had to sleep in it! 😂
Haha, it was but not as funny as your story, bless it made me laugh a lot! A night to remember for sure! 😂😂😂
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So beautiful! How fun that you could just open that cardigan up and show that teacher your work — good job! I’m so glad that your FBA worked, it fits you so well.
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