Inspiration...Striped Button-Down Cardigan

I love a good cardigan.  Especially one that is worn as a top.

This is the Striped Button-Down Cashmere Cardigan by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $898.00.  Details:  Approximately 28 1/2-inches from shoulder to hem, cashmere, v neck, button front, long sleeves, relaxed fit, unlined, dry clean.

The striped knits are easy to come by but the cashmere striped knit is not.  Just grab your striped knit combo and make it.  Here is a perfect pattern:

This is the Itch to Stitch Foz Top pdf pattern.  The main difference between the inspiration photo and the Foz is the Foz has a slimmer fit.  So you would need to account for that unless that is the fit that you prefer.

I have made this particular pattern at least three times and love it.  Looks like it will be used again this year.  I think both the long sleeved version and the short sleeved version should be used. Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Please note, I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate and if you use any of my links above to purchase, I will get a small commission. Thank you!

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Bomber Sweater

 It time to start putting some thought into cooler weather items.  I found this bomber sweater that I thought was interesting:

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Cotton-Silk Tape Bomber Sweater.  Price tag:  $798.00.  Details:  Approximately 23-inches from shoulder to hem; ribbed neck, cuffs, and hems; stand collar, two-way zip front; long sleeves; fitted silhouette; cotton/silk; zipper face - polyester, lycra.  For close-up views, check out Neiman Marcus website.

This is a really nice casual jacket.  It comes in limited colors of black and white.  I think I really like this jacket but the price tag is not good.  At least, for me.

As  far as patterns, there are tons of bomber jacket patterns available. Almost every pattern company have a version but none that I could find have a similar collar.  So, you could just use your favorite bomber jacket pattern out of a sweater knit fabric of some type.  Knit Fabric dot com has a nice selection of sweater knits.  Cali Fabrics has a selection of mostly printed sweater knits.  I did find a pattern that looked similar (McCalls 3106).  It appears to be an older pattern and there are several available online.  It is more of a fitted jacket than a bomber but you could still use the sweater if you chose.

I am an affiliate of Knit Fabric dot com.  Any purchases made through a link will result in a small commission at no addition cost to you.  Thank you!

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Zip Up Sweater

 There is nothing like a comfortably pullover.  Here's one with style:

This is the Nic & Zoe Zip It Up Sweater. Price tag: $148.00. Details: pullover, turtleneck, long sleeve, zip closure, sits at hip, 25" long.

This is such a great day-to-day top.  I don't know of a pattern that is exactly like this.  Most patterns have a little more ease so you would need to play a little bit.  Here's a couple of options:

This is the Silhouette Patterns Brenda's Hoodie pattern.  The basic silhouette is there.  Changes would need to be the hood changed to a turtle neck, and the pockets.

The is the Seamwork Amari pattern.  This pattern has more ease than the inspiration pattern so you would need to figure out how much ease you would want.  Changes that I immediately see are decreasing the ease, lengthening the zipper, and add the kangaroo pocket. 

Hope you're inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy  Stitching!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 33

Week 33 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 33 here.  The introduction chart is always a good place to start if you are just now bumping into this series.  Note: as the series progresses, the chart changes a wee bit.  It should be shown on the weekly posting at the bottom. 

Week 33 is a Dark Neutral Lightweight Cardigan.  I could use a cardigan in a navy blue.  That would take me all the through fall.  Let's consider this pattern:

This is Hugo's Favorite Cardigan pattern by Silhoutte Patterns.  This is a favorite among Sihouette followers and it is also in my pattern stash.  Adding a couple of patch pockets would be really good.

Obviously if you have a favorite cardigan pattern that has already been fitted, use it.  Save those pattern dollars for more fabric.

Happy Stitching!

Ace Funnel Neck Top...

The September Seamwork magazine came out with a cute funnel neck top.  It is a 3-piece pattern and I had to give it a try.  Here's the line drawings:

The hardest part is putting the pdf printout together.  You must invest in tape.

Here is the finished product:

Conclusion:
1.  I was able to make this sweater with 1 1/2 yards of a sweater knit.
2.  This was super easy.
3.   I will make this again.
4.  Overall, I think I would prefer a little more ease.  This is most likely an age thing. 
5.  I would prefer a little more length.
6.  I would prefer a deeper hem.

Changes for next time:

1.  1/2" sway back alteration
2.  Add 1" to the length of the top and add 1/2" to the length of the sleeve.
3.  Either stitch slighter smaller seams or add a little at the side seams. 

I'm trying to enjoy my Seamwork subscription by being involved in the Community and trying the patterns.  If you would like to give it a try, use this link to get $3.00 off your first month.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Cardigan

I found this lovely cardigan:

It is the Cashmere Swing Cardigan by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $498.00.  If you want a closer look, you can find it at Neiman Marcus.

This pattern reminds me very much of two patterns at Pamela's Patterns:

This is #110 Cool Cardigans Draped Front.

This is #111 Cool Cardigans Banded Front.

I know that I have #111 in the pattern stash.  I'm not sure about #110.  Do you know of a cardigan pattern that would work?

I went looking for a cashmere knit and found it.  For the most part, it seems to be less expensive to just purchase the designer garment, if the color is good for you.   Pricing that I found was between $175 and $250 a yard.  That's a bit steep.  I would also be afraid of cutting the fabric at that price point.  Mood did have some less expensive blends.  Maybe this is the case where a polyester blend sweater knit would work.

Hope you're inspired.

Happy Stitching!