I'm here today to show off my latest clothing finish, the Laurelhurst pattern by Straight Stitch Designs. This pattern is a super easy wrap/cardigan that can be finished in less than an hour, which I did minus the cutting time, more on that later. This is my first time making this pattern so of course I made a (thankfully) wearable muslin out of a knit that was included in a Girl Charlee Knit Fix. I can honestly say I didn't like this print very much (or at all) so it wasn't hard for me to cut into the 2 yards and if it fit, great and if not, on to Goodwill. The fabric was printed slightly off grain, and even though the pattern calls for just 2 yards (and I had 2 yards) I barely was able to eek it out because of the off grain printing and my trying to match the print on the sides. This knit is also really thin and quite stretchy and I will admit cutting this out took me hours. Trying to get the fabric to match up, trying to keep the fabric flat, it all was a nightmare. The plus side of all of this was that I had very little scraps remaining (I love that from a pattern) and what I had left I was able to use to test my serger and sewing machine stitches.
Once I had finished cutting it out, sewing this pattern, literally took less than an hour. The way in which the neckline for this pattern is constructed is the most unusual and clever thing I have sewn in a while, you just have to trust me, so neat. The longest part of the construction is the set in sleeves, but I've done that a million times and they both went in smoothly. I used my serger for all the seams, with the exception of the one little seam on the neckline that I used my regular sewing machine for. This pattern is designed to leave the edges raw, no hemming! Be it that it is made for knits and knits don't ravel like a woven fabric, all you do is carefully cut those edges super straight and you are good to go. This being said, I do plan to hem this one on all raw edges soon because after several washes this knit did some funky raveling thing in spots. Since I left the sleeves a tad long, I have plenty of fabric to turn under so why not just go ahead and do it. Based on my measurements I should have cut out a size 18, but since I knew there was plenty of extra fabric in the front I cut out a 16 and next time I might even try a 14 because I found there was a little too much fabric in the back. It really is a forgiving pattern in regards to size and fit (which is fantastic for a beginner.)
Remember how at the beginning I said I didn't like this fabric very much, or at all, honestly. Well the best part of this whole endeavor is that after it was finished and I was wearing it, everyone seems to love it on me and has given me tons of compliments. What is better than that? When I told one of my friends that I made it, she couldn't believe it and she knows what a serious sewist I am. She just couldn't believe it wasn't ready to wear. I can't say enough great things about the pattern and have plans to make a ton of these. In South Louisiana where the winter is mild, add one of these to a short sleeved shirt and you are set for the winter, not to mention the spring and fall, so basically half of the year.
The photo above was me trying to do my best Tyra Banks or "model" shot, thus the photo below is me busting out laughing at how stupid I look when making all these "staring into space" photos. Oh well, just keeping it real folks.
I am checking in and linking up with Quilter in the Closet's 100 Day Challenge as we are at the 60 day mark. I have met 2 of my 3 goals thus far, blogging at least once every month, which I have barely managed to do. The second goal was to sew something selfish for myself or my daughter and blog about it, which I have now done twice (both for myself, didn't realize I was so selfish.) Now if I can just get some time to start quilting that big Constellations quilt I might actually meet my goal. Wish me lots of luck.
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