Pages

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Cardigan of the year, McCalls 6844

McCalls 6844 must be one of the most popular patterns released last fall.  To date, there are 33 reviews on PatternReview.com.  This is the pattern envelope photo:

 
It is a cardigan with peplum and length variations.  Here are the line drawings:
I am not on the peplum bandwagon, so I made view B, the longer version with no peplum.  Why am I not on the peplum bandwagon do you ask?  Well, #1: I'm not a trend follower, and I often dislike trends on the principle of them being trends, rather than what they are.  #2: I really really don't need extra volume at the hip/butt, I have plenty of volume on my own. 
 
I bought the pattern in the Large-XXL size range, before reading the reviews on PR.com.  Most of the reviews said that the pattern ran large and that cutting a size smaller than your measurements suggest is wise.  I, however, was skeptical and only adjusted the shoulders.  I cut a Large and graded to an XL at the hip. I cut the each of shoulders about 1/2" narrower than a size Large.  While the shoulder width is now pretty good, there is still too much width across the upper back and across the upper bust.  I will grade the pattern down in those areas to make it more like a Medium. 
 
The pattern states that this is a close fitting cardigan whose fronts do not meet.  Wrong!!  Even though I essentially cut a size too big, the fronts definitely overlap.   See?
 

Here it is belted and unbelted.  I am very short waisted; my natural waist is only a few inches below my bra band and I always wonder how it looks when I wear belts like this. 





Granted, with a big, loose style of cardigan like this, not cinching it in some way can add all-over volume, which isn't a great look either.  I'm not sure which way is best.  Here are some back views.  See how I really don't need the extra volume that a peplum would give me?  I'm all natural baby!
 

The construction of this cardigan was very quick and easy.  I didn't interface the front bands and I am happy with the result.  I used a sueded jersey knit from Denver Fabrics.  The sueded just means that the wrong side is a little fuzzy, which is very nice and cozy.

One more thing to check out...the hems:

Wait a minute...that looks like...is it?...Yes!  It IS!!  A Cover-Stitched Hem!  That's right friends, Santa was good to me this year.  (And by Santa I mean me)  My husband is not good at gift giving/shopping, so I placed the order for a Brother 2340CV and received it while he was out of the country on a business trip. 

I sent him a facebook chat: "You just bought me a lovely Christmas gift.  Thank you." 
His response was: "?" 

I have been putting money aside for most of the year saving up for a Cover-Stitch machine.  I had been looking at the Janome 1000cpx, but I simply could not justify the extra $$$ for it.  My serger is a brother (5234PRW), and I am very happy with it, so I felt comfortable with the brand.

So there it is, my first finished garment of 2014 and my January Garment of the Month.
 

 

15 comments:

  1. I love the color! It looks good on you & doesn't look too big.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. The color is my favorite part of it!

      Delete
  2. My 4th version is awaiting a hem :)

    I think it looks fabulous on you. Belted and unbelted. Do you have a wide belt?? I'm short waisted too and while I love the narrow belt look the wider belts seem to work a little better for me.

    Happy sewing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good idea, I will try it with a wider belt. Thanks!

      Delete
  3. Your cardigan turn out very nice and I like it both ways. Thank you for all the information about sizing. I too bought L - XL. and we look about the same size. I haven't opened mine yet wondering if I can take it back for smaller size. I'm short waisted as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sherry. I'd suggest having someone measure you across the shoulders and again across your upper back. Then compare those measurements to the pattern. Depending on how much difference there is, you may want to buy the smaller size or just redraw the armholes. Good luck!

      Delete
  4. I think it looks good with a belt. Yay for cover-stitch!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Neemie. The cover-stitch is very cool indeed!

      Delete
  5. It's a lovely cardigan and the color is a good one for you. And enjoy your new machine, yay! (I have to admit I play Santa sometimes, too. I call them consolation prizes, haha.)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cute M6844! I think you're right about it being the cardi of the year...I've made two of them (so far)! I really like it belted on you.

    And very jealous of your new coverstitch machine. Such a cool new toy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I think the peplum versions are cuter, but I don't think they'd be cute on me. I may try one out just to see for sure. :)

      Delete
  7. Every version of this pattern I see looks great. Yours is the first I have seen without the peplum. I like it both belted and unbelted. I also gifted myself a cover lock machine. Mine is used, purchased on ebay and so far I love it

    ReplyDelete
  8. I made this too and found also that it overlaps! Love yours :)x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Simply fabulous! I was in 2 minds about getting this pattern but yeah I am definitely getting it:-).

    ReplyDelete

I love your comments and I read every single one!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...