Thursday, June 24, 2021

A Tale of Two Cardigans

 A long time ago when I used to sew only outfits for my kids and not for myself, I relied on store bought clothes and my favorite outfit was a twinset paired with denim jeans. I was particularly enamored with the classic J. Crew cardigans labeled Jackie--crew neck with buttoned front opening, ribbing on the sleeve cuffs and bottom hem. I had a small collection in different colors that worked for different seasons of the year. Then when kids left the nest, I started sewing for myself and it opened up my wardrobe to a wonderful world of uniquely me items. I hardly wear those RTW cardigans anymore, preferring to don my me-made ones. 

In this post, I'd like to highlight a pair of cardigans I recently sewed. These two are the total opposite of each other. One is really long, what one would call a duster cardigan and the other really short, what one would call shrug. 


This is the Blackwood cardigan from Helen's Closet patterns. I used a panel print sweater knit purchased from Marcy Tilton and used a solid contrast sweater knit purchased from Emma One Sock. 





This one is the Marcy Tilton shrug pattern Vogue 9190 and I used a cotton/lycra panel print also from her store. 




They're the total opposite in length yet somehow I thought they worked well for my petite height. 
If you'd like to read more details about the patterns, check them out at Pattern Review.com. 




4 comments:

  1. Beautiful, both designs. They prove my point that a petite can wear any design anyone else can. It just needs everything to be the proper proportion. These look marvelous on you. Everything is sized perfectly for your smaller frame.

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    1. Thanks so much Bunny! Oftentimes in the past I have been limited by what others say on what petites can and cannot wear. You are right, it's all about proportion!

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  2. I've enjoyed reading your pattern reviews on Patternreview.com. I had not seen the Helen's Closet cardigan before-lovely pairing of fabrics in both pieces. I am also a knitter but have been wanting to try sewing a sweater knit. This is inspirational. Take care, Terri

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    1. Thanks for the kind words Terri! I have mad respect for knitters like you. I have only knitted scarves and have always been intimidated by anything else!

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