Finished - the Borderline Frumpy Cardigan

Hello lovelies, today I bring you a finished project that is nine parts lovely, one part frump.  This is the Style Arc Fiona cardigan, and was the free pattern for June. It's a dolman sleeve cardi with a wide band binding the neckline and hem in one. Its actually very similar to the Mouse House Julia cardigan, except for the dolman sleeves. Honestly the main reason I chose it over the Julia was it was free, and I didn't have to print and trace it out!

It was very easy to make, very well drafted as Style Arc patterns generally seem to be. I wanted a really warm neutral coloured cardigan, and made this out of a boiled wool with a small amount of stretch that I purchased a couple of weeks ago at the Fabric Store. It was a Kate Sylvester (a New Zealand fashion designer) fabric, certainly not cheap but really gorgeous quality. It's hard to describe the colour as it changes in different lights, but most often it is a muted blue-grey, and wonderfully warm. I think I purchased 1.6m and basically had only scraps left - it's quite a fabric hungry pattern because of the curved neckband and the dolman sleeves. 

The band of the cardigan folds over to create a shawl collar. I found my collar didn't really want to stay put, so I have stitched it in place in the centre back of the neck, blindly, and that seems to have done the trick. I also extended the cuff pieces significantly to make it long sleeved, and can fold them back for the 3/4 sleeve length that the pattern comes with. 

Style wise I do think it's a whiff on the frumpy side, and I think it's the length. If I make it again I'll have to nut out a way to shorten it - but that will involve shortening the neck band too, so will require some thought! What do you think? I just feel that especially the back view would be a little more flattering if the finished length is at the seam of the binding....

 

Anyway, it's very toasty and right now that's what I need. It was perfect for our recent weekend away to unseasonably chilly Sydney - where I picked up this treasure:

Can you imagine my excitement? If you, like me, must have one I've seen them online here. Expect to see this creepy critter to pop up here regularly from now on. 

Also sneaking into this post is another version of the Tessuti Mandy boat tee. I've made so many alterations to this pattern now that it's pretty much unrecognisable from the original pattern but perfect for me. This version I've taken some more width out of the tee at side seams, tapering from nothing at the armpit to about 3-4cm at the hemline, adding some shaping. I've done my little curved hem treatment on it too, and I love the finished fit on it:

 I'm thinking it will be a great shape for summer too, without sleeves. Love this pattern. 

Oh look!

She looks great in a tee too! haha!