SEWmuchKNITting

The clothes I sew for myself are often made to wear to work, and I've noticed that my more casual wardrobe has needed some updating. Wearing tunics/longer tops with leggings is so comfortable, but I don't have too many choices in my closet. Enter Kwik Sew 4083 :  I pulled a double sided brushed cotton plaid from my stash (?JoAnn's red tag table?)  to use for a test garment, as I haven't sewn many Kwik Sew patterns. It has the large plaid on one side, and a small check on the other: (pinning stage)  Looking at the measurements, I cut a size XL....way too big. I like the fabric, but I'm not sure using it for this top does my figure any favors...even after taking it in, and taking it in some more, I did wear it over the weekend. I still have plans to take out some of the extra at the front princess seams, and that will make it wearable weekend wear. I think I erred on the side of caution as I have been sewing mostly with knits, and was worried ab

My first finish in 2015 was McCall's 6996 , a longer, drapey cardigan made with a thin ribbed sweater knit that has a subdued "sparkle" to it.  I went right to the serger for construction, as this is a very forgiving knit and I didn't anticipate any fit issues. Speaking of construction, a few things of note: I serged in a light weight woven fusible strip at the shoulder seams to support the seams. I also decided to finish the raw edges with the serger, after spraying the edges with spray starch and pressing. That seemed to stabilize the edge a bit before serging. I didn't want to weigh down the drape with a hem of any kind, and that has seemed to work, tho I may go back and add a small turned-in & stitched hem at the sleeve edge.  I find I like wearing the skinnier pant silhouette, along with leggings on occasion, but only with a top that has a longer length and plenty of drape for balance.  McCalls 6996 is a quick and easy pattern