• Home
  • Blog
  • 2020 Finish - A - Long
  • 2019 Finish - A - Long
  • 2018 Finish - A - Long
  • Contact
  • 2017 Finish - A - Long
  • Shop
Marci Girl Designs

The Laurelhurst

3/9/2016

4 Comments

 
Picture
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.
Picture
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.)
Picture
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.
Picture
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.
Picture
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.
4 Comments
Debbie link
3/9/2016 06:41:19 pm

Fun. Yay you for making something you enjoy wearing way more than you expected to!

Reply
Sarah
3/10/2016 11:33:22 am

Holy Scrap this looks awesome on you!!! And you know, great job on the sewing, blah blah. :P I definitely need to make some time this year and try out this pattern. I buy this type of cardigan all the time in stores, but it's hard to find ones I like the color of and aren't just bland... really, really great job Marci!!!

Reply
Louise link
3/14/2016 02:53:23 am

This looks so cute! Way to go for making yourself something fun! I'm with you, the fabric isn't my favorite, but it does totally work on you! It looks great! It really does!

Reply
Girl Charlee Fabrics link
4/21/2016 04:08:56 pm

So glad to hear you are enjoying your fabric! We would love to feature your new sweater on The Girl Charlee Blog in our monthly Knit Picks. If you are interested please email gcblog@girlcharlee.com :)

www.girlcharlee.com

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Marci Girl

    A feisty mom designing, sewing and blogging her way through everyday life!

    Subscribe
    Follow on Bloglovin
    Picture
    Follow on Bloglovin


    Categories

    All
    2017 Finish A Long
    2018 Finish A Long
    2019 Finish A Long
    Bee Sewcial
    Book Reviews
    Clothing
    Everyday Life
    Giveaways
    Handbags
    Handstitched Class
    Inspirational Projects
    Marci Girl Designs
    Projects
    Quilt Along
    Quilting Bees
    Quilts
    Random Thoughts
    Recipes
    Sew Along
    Sewvivor
    Style Stitches
    Swaps
    The Penny Sampler Class
    Tutorials
    Wip Wednesday


    Happily
    Participating In:

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Picture


    Archives

    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    July 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    September 2015
    July 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010

    Picture

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.