SECOND WATERFALL CARDIGAN OF THE MONTH...

...I decided that before I filed this pattern back in the drawer,

McCall's 7262

I'd go ahead and make one I'd planned for my Darling Daughter.  I pushed the envelope on this second waterfall cardigan and used a light weight stripped knit from Hancock's (mmmmmm!).  I did manage to get the side seams matched; and thankfully the buttonholes went in much easier than with the one I made earlier.

Turned out not too bad for a pattern that isn't actually suitable for stripes.  Hope my Baby Girl likes it!!!!

IT WOULD BE A CRYING SHAME IF...

...I didn't use this pattern again this season, especially since I was willing to fight somebody to get my hands on it.

McCall's 6844

So I thought I'd give it another whirl using this floral sweater knit that I picked up at Joann's Fall of 2012.
Thus the fabric has had plenty of time for marination, and since I'm a cardi type of girl I thought it would be perfect for this pattern.  I used an Aztec pontederoma print my first time around with this pattern, (you can read about it here) but knew this floral sweater knit would be perfect for my second version.  Surprise!, turns out I was right.  It was a little shaky there at first because my sewing/fabric and size selection radar has been a little off lately yielding one failed coat muslin, and a dress that the jury's still out on.  When things don't go right in the sewing studio - guess I should just take a break from it - but you know me, I pressed on in spite of...

This time I went down a size from an XL to a L.  I don't know about you, but patterns with that sizing (s,m,l,xl,xxl) are sometimes a little tricky leaving me unsure which size to choose.  Yes I used the XL for the first jacket and ended up taking it in quite a bit.  This time I knew I needed to go down a size, but was still unsure because of the differences in fabric.  Two recent failed projects lingering in your memory tends not only to cause sewing paralysis, but complete terror when starting the next one.  I tell you - I prayed at the start of this simple cardigan - Imma start praying over EVERY PROJECT from now on.  Should have been doing that anyway!

I want to mention that I did not interface the band/collar of either cardigan, because I wanted the whole thing soft and cuddly.  I plan on adding a snap closure at the front of each one cause I like the look of having it closed.  I use steam-a-seam for the hems (no serging) just applied, flipped up 5/8" and stitched down.  All interior seams are serged however.

Front view

Back View

So finally something turned out right!  I do plan on making a navy pencil skirt to match...

QUESTION...

...when a jacket and a skirt is made from the same fabric,  do they then become a suit?  For me that is usually the case, but in this situation - I think not?


I had mentioned in a past post that I had fallen in love with this pattern and mostly the print used on the pattern envelope.  Folks I've been feeling a little aztec-y lately.

McCall's 6844

So I immediately started looking for a nice aztec print.  Of course I could not find this exact print, but I did find one that I thought was suitable for my jacket. It's made of a nice pontederoma - one of my favorite fabrics in the whole wide world, because it's soft and so easy to work with.  I seriously considered making this jacket in a sweater knit but could not make up my mind - so wishy/washy!  I think the next one (and there will be a next one) will be out of a sweater knit.

My Version of the jacket (wild huh) paired with a black MimiG pencil skirt made last Fall.  There is just nothing like a nice #2 pencil.

But I also wanted to make a pencil skirt from the same fabric - thought it would make a wonderful addition to my Fall Wardrobe.

Aztec print pencil - another one from the MimiG's tutorial.  How easy does it get!

The print is so bold that I would nevah consider wearing the two together.  So I plan on wearing the jacket with my black skirt or pants; and the skirt with a cream colored top and black jacket.  I'll be able to come up with several different combinations using the two pieces separately - which in my book is a winning situation...

DON'T YOU JUST LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER...

...no matter how simple - I just love it when a plan comes together!  What was the plan?  Well back in early September Sheila of Sheila-CTK did a post asking about our cardigan style preferences.  She included this picture in that post

and - I fell in love with the skirt.  No I didn't have this exact fabric, but it did start me thinking about a yard of fabric that I had left over from this dress that I made back in August when I started my fall sewing

and, I had enough to make a Missoni-esque pencil skirt - so that's just what I did. I decided to use

 

McCall's 6654 knit pencil skirt pattern that I tried last fall with good success. I underlined the pattern pieces (there were only two) by hand basting tricot down the center and the side seams to give the fabric a little more body.  It took me two nights to hand stitch the pressed open side seams because I didn't want them flapping around and bunching up after washing.

And, despite the fact that it took me almost an ENTIRE WEEK, the skirts an easy make (two seams, elastic waist, and a hem.  I wanted to play up the fabrics pretty turquoise stripe and was able to find the exact color in a twin set that I purchased during my NY visit my family vacation.  About the only thing I purchased during my visit this time - yes I was frugal and it's a good thing because IMMEDIATELY after returning I had to buy an new HVAC UNIT.  Can you help me say YIKES!  It will take a SERIOUS chunk out of the fabric budget for quite a number of months.  Oh well, I thank God that I was able to get it installed and it's working like a charm.  It's a lot to be thankful for after sleeping in a sauna for 6 nights.  At least I got my turquoise twin set says my female reasoning.

I couldn't decide on the skirt length, but went ahead and put it at mid calf because you know I plan on wearing it with boots.  I figure if this lengths not right - I can always cut if off shorter.

I have this same fabric in a different colorway and plan to make the skirt again.  I'll wear it with a chocolate twin set that came in the mail yesterday from my sister Brenda. THANKS A WHOLE BUNCH BRENDA!  I DO LOVE YOU SO!   I may or may not wear this belted (or I might try a thinner belt) -  I just wanted to see how it looked.  What do you think, belt or not???  Thanks for the skirt inspiration Sheila - and BTW, my cardigan choice is a jewel neck...