//// Sewing Bee 2019 – Round 1 Entry ////
Used pattern of the year 2013, fabric purchased in 2017, and inspired by the color of the year 2019!
I didn’t get a chance to participate in the Sewing Bee last year since it was my first year back to teaching and I just couldn’t make the time. This year I determined that I would participate no matter what and that I would make the time! I also have decided that I’d like to use stash materials (patterns, fabric, notions, etc.) as much as possible.
Then came the prompt – inspired by Living Coral. Perfect! I did think about getting “creative” with the prompt but decided that I could just be literal about the whole thing and get exactly what I wanted…a coral knit cardigan.
Coral is one of my favorite colors to wear, I already had a coral knit fabric washed and folded waiting in my stash which I had already set aside with the plan to make into a cardigan. I even had matching coral thread in the stash. Win all around! I do wish I had coral serger thread but ended up using white.
I traced and cut the pattern and started sewing on Saturday and finished hemming on Sunday. I spent a total of about 2 hours on the project. What an easy and perfect project! I’m not sure why I kept putting off making this cardigan…probably because I always get distracted by new fabrics/patterns forgetting what I already have in my stash.
Thanks to the contest rule makers for giving me the perfect excuse to make time for myself to create something I’ve wanted to make for a long time! I won’t find out until later this week if I made it to the next round, but either way, this was just the motivation I needed to get this project done.
McCall 6844 Pattern Review
Pattern Description: Close-fitting cardigans (do not meet at center front) have collar extending into front band, and narrow hem. A and C: shaped hemline, wrong side shows. Designed for medium moderate stretch knits. I chose view A.
Pattern Sizing: My envelope includes S, M, L. I traced M for the body and used the S sleeve. I always trace patterns that I think I will use different views or sizes of to preserve the original. It also helps me make note of all the pattern markings since I have to trace them.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes. I didn’t make any changes to the actual pattern and stitched it up as is.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yup. I didn’t really follow them though.
I changed the following:
- added clear elastic along the shoulder seams for stability.
- sewed the sleeve in flat. This is my preferred way to put in a sleeve when possible.
- I didn’t use any interfacing on the collar since I wanted to maintain the drape of the knit fabric.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like everything about it! I can imagine making many more in all of the different views.
Fabric Used: Coral knit fabric purchased years ago! 50% poly / 50% rayon, purchased at JoAnn’s.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Made no design changes. Great pattern as is.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes to both!
Conclusion: Go make one right now…you won’t be sorry!
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