Well, hello there friends!
It’s great to be back in this space after a wee bit of a break. It seems that there is always a blogging lull for me this time of year. I don’t know if it’s the holidays or the weather or perhaps it’s just January? I’ve been battling a cold just like everyone else. We also lost two dear folks — my husbands’ grandpa and a good family friend. I can’t exactly say that 2015 is starting out on a positive note. Pair those things with the fact that there has been little rain this year to bless our drought ridden California soils…. yeah…. it’s a bit gloomy around these parts. However, I am a positive person by nature and I try to keep my spirits up regardless of any negativity that may surround me. I prefer to celebrate life and the good things that are in abundance. 🙂
Well…. as this is a sewing blog, perhaps you want to know where the sewing is. I have been sewing, but in small amounts. I also just spent a fair amount of time working on a silk dress that required a lot of hand sewing. I really can’t wait to share that project with you. First though, I’m happy to share these next two dresses with you. These were my last two projects of 2014, but I’ll count them for this year.
This dress is another version of my TNT pattern Butterick 5982.
[source: Butterick Patterns]
As I mentioned previously, I finished the neckline and armscyes with rayon seam binding and the seams with my serger. I prefer lining my dresses, but I felt this fabric is opaque and heavy enough that I didn’t need to. The v-neck gapes a little bit and isn’t quite so much of a “V” after my reconstruction. The bateau neck version of this pattern is still my favorite. The only other adjustments I made to this dress other than grading up to about a size 26 and a lower back adjustment on the bodice.
The fabric I used for my dress is a purple geometric print stretch cotton poplin from Mood. This fabric also comes in black and red colorways. As soon as I saw this fabric I had to have it. I had been searching for a harlequin or diamond print fabric for a while and this one certainly fit the bill. Unfortunately, this fabric leaves a bit to be desired. The fabric itself is nice, but the design is printed on the fabric and not only did it fade a little following a pre-wash, but the print also leaves needle marks. I’ve had this experience with the “faille” fabric from Spoonflower, and it’s definitely not my favorite….
My dress topper is the Muse Jenna Cardi. I have loved this cardi since it’s release and have been looking forward to sewing one for myself. I made one in an angora blend as a Christmas present, so I was already familiar with this pattern. It’s quick and easy to make and is most definitely going on my list of TNT patterns.
[source: Muse Patterns]
I graded this cardi up to a size 50 as my sweater knit doesn’t have a whole lot of stretch and I was afraid of this cardi not fitting. I think the 48 may fit a little bit better as I usually like my cardigans a bit closer fitting. I am exceedingly happy with this sweater though and how it turned out, especially since I was a bit trepidatious going into at I was thinking that I shouldn’t have used this pattern version for this material, but it did work out in the end. 🙂
I’ve never sewn with a sweater knit like this and if you were to for the first time, I think I’d recommend cutting the smaller, narrower pieces larger than the pattern piece itself or perhaps serging the piece to keep it together. I had a problem with fraying and unraveling on the neckband and button band, so both are a little smaller than they’re meant to be.
I used abalone shell buttons on my cardi. My button band looks a little stiff as I went overboard on the fray check…. I was used to using a bottle of fray check that was about 5 years old (yeah… I apparently do not use fray check that much…) and was used to a bottle that slowly leaked out liquid, whereas my new bottle was quite the opposite. I’m just hoping that when I wash this sweater that it may soften up a little.
The seams of my cardi (and that of my dress as well) are all finished on my serger. The sweater knit of my cardi really needed such a finish with all of the fraying going on inside.
I love the pairing of this sweater with my dress. I made a list of color combos that I wanted to add to my wardrobe and this purple and green mix is one. These are some of my favorite colors paired together, and even with the fabrics faults, I do still love my dress and especially my new cardi!
FYI: I always have an entourage whilst taking photos outside…. There’s usually at least two dogs and a cat following me around and trying to photobomb me.
Happy Sewing!
- Dress: Butterick 5982 in amaranth purple geometric stretch cotton poplin, made by me
- Cardigan: Muse Jenna Cardi in lilac cotton sweater knit, made by me
- Earrings: Bauble Bar
- Sunglasses: Tory Burch
- Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens Peep Toe Super High
Great fabric !
Excellent blog! You explained it well and the pictures are great….thanks for sharing! And thank you for the inspiration!
Raw Silk Fabric by the yard 4 Ply Silk Crepe Fabric silk charmeuse fabric by the yard silk dupioni fabric
Ooo. This is such a cute outfit Tanya. The cardie is so lovely. The buttons are perfect. I really like the print on the fabric for your dress. 🙂
Really cute dress. I love the print!
I’m sorry to hear about it being hard to stay positive lately. When life feels like that for me, I try to remember this quote by Rainer Maria Rilke: “Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final.” Sometimes just remembering that bad stuff is an inherent part of life is helpful for me, even though we already know it common-sense-wise. And often I find that just as soon I have really let the bad sink in, it’s already on to the good.
Thanks Nicole! I love the quote as well. I live my life that way and do always keep going. It’s a far better way to live than to let depression get you down.
Sorry for the hardships you’ve experienced already this year. 🙁 I do love the dress and cardi, and together they’re super lovely! Much love. xo
Thank you, Sylvie. January always seems to be a hard time of the year for various reasons. 🙁
Oh Tanya, I’m so sorry to hear about your sad news! Definitely not a good way to start the year. *hugs*
The dress and cardigan both look fabulous though – love the fabric you used for the Jenna!
Thank you, Kat.
I love that sweater knit, too! I wore the cardi yesterday, and unfortunately it can get snagged! Have to be careful with it!
I ended up really hating the sleeves on my emerald 5982, I’m not sure whether it’s my fault or Butterick’s though. The cap is super steep which makes me look really “dynasty.” I really love how this turned out though! Where did you find that sweater knit? So pretty!
I don’t like the sleeves either! The sleeveless version is my fave. I guess we’ll have to find another pattern for our sleeved dress TNT!
The sweater knit is from Fabric Mart and purchased back in September I think…. I pretty much only bought it due to the color and that is was a sweater knit, but am so happy with how it turned out when sewn up!
Have I said “thank you” for introducing me to Fabric Mart? Thank you! They have the best stuff! I made out like a bandit at their Black Friday Sale. I didn’t even have a blog then and it was all I could do to prevent myself from doing a haul post.
Tanya this is fabulous. You did a great job on that cardigan. I may try a sweater knit myself now. 🙂
Thanks, Leslie! I love sweater knits! I wish there were that were easy to find!
These two go so well together! I love how you make yourself outfits rather than just garments – I need to do more of that!
Thanks, Sophie! I try to sew like this so that I always have things that go with what I’ve made. I still have a few cardis left on my list to make that are going to go with future dresses. In fact, those are the merinos that you sent me from NZ!
Yay! You’re back! Sorry to hear about your losses though, big hug. Thanks for your honesty about the fabric, although the dress looks amazing on you!
Thanks, Mel! 🙂
So sorry the year has gotten off to a rough start! My heart goes out to you and your hubby!
I like this dress a lot, but that sweater knit for the cardi…now that is a thing of beauty. I feel some fabric jealousy coming on!
Thank you, Alicia. I love that sweater knit! I wasn’t sure at first how it would work out, but I’m very pleased.
Pretty in purple! Love this Butterick pattern on you. Well done!
Thank you! I just love this dress pattern!
I’m so sorry for your losses. 🙁 Many many hugs to you. <3
I love the dress and cardi. You look amazing. I had no clue they made fabric like that for the cardi. 🙂 So awesome!
Thank you, Andie. <3
I wasn't sure about that sweater knit. I mainly bought it due to the color and didn't know how it would work out, so I'm glad it did!
Sorry for your losses. I hope things get better for you. On a better note, you look fabulous! The cardigan is so girly and pairs so well with this fun print. You look like a fresh breath of spring!
Thank you, Elizabeth. 🙂
It’s always great when something works out like this. The fabrics were bought at different times with no intention of being paired together, but they sure work well together!
So sorry for your losses, Tanya.
The dress and cardi look amazing though! Purple and green are pretty fab together 🙂
Thanks, Carlee.
Purple and green are probably my fave color combo. I guess that’s why they were two of my wedding colors! 🙂
Sorry for your loses, Deffenetely not a good way to start the year but keep being positive!
These are two lovely makes and you have matched them perfectly, I also love purple, there are a few pieces in my wordrobe but I generally like all colours.
Take care!
Thank you. 🙂
I’m so glad they work together! That’s just something that came to me when I was looking at my sewing list and my fabric stash. I like pretty much every color, too, and try to get them all in my closet!
The lines drawings for the dress bodice are so interesting. I have one dress with princess seams and darts and it is ever so comfy. Yay for TNT patterns, the Jenna Cardi is definitely my TNT.
This one fits me very well with little alteration which sure makes me happy. It’s also a great canvas for prints! I really see why you love the Jenna. It’s an excellent pattern!
I love your Jenna and the sweater knit you chose for it! Green and purple is one of my favorite color combos – my living room is painted green, and my kitchen is painted purple.
Edit: haha, and you can see in my picture that my hair was purple for a while, too!
Thanks, Gina! I think I’ll be on the look out for more sweater knits like this. They’re hard to find though! Your house sounds AWESOME. I just love colorful walls!!! And your hair — I DIE!! Fabulous! 🙂
That dress is pretty lovely!!
Thank you, Gabriela! I think it’s going to get a tremendous amount of wear! In fact, I’ll be wearing it tomorrow! 🙂
I love the two items together and I really like the v-neck version of that dress. I may have to get that pattern, though I don’t wear wovens that often. It is such a flattering design!
This pattern is a really good one. Simple and easy to make and works well with a number of prints. Pretty basic, but I like it. 🙂
I love a dog photo bomb. Cute as usual! I’m praying for us to get more rain.
I’m surprised there’s no cat walking around in the background as she was running down the driveway being a crazy kitty! We need soooo much more rain. 🙁 Praying February, March and April will be rainy.
Gorgeous colors, especially for this time of the year. In the midwest it’s cold and snowy, so it’s great to see someone wearing a dress with sandals. Love the cardigan, it’s a great hook up with the dress.
Thank you, Robin! 🙂 It’s a pretty fair January in these parts and unfortunately warm enough that it felt like spring when I was wearing this dress. I envy your snow! But I do know how monotonous it is after a while…