So, this is another Style Arc pattern I have been interested in for a while and finally got around to trying, the Nina cardigan, a waterfall style cardigan with a draped front, waist seam and a fitted back. I do find some waterfall styles a bit shapeless on me as they add volume everywhere so I wanted to try this version.
Style Arc Nina
It is incredibly quick to make on a serger. I got a bit confused by the instructions referring to a hipband, but there aren't many pieces so it was easy to figure out -this is the lower back piece which wraps round to the front and I can't come up with a better name for it so hipband it is!
I love how this turned out, it is exactly like the illustration shows. There are a couple of things I would (will!) change next time:
- lengthen the upper bodice slightly, the waist hits a bit high on me, only a problem if I want to wear a belt with it
- I didn't like that the front and hem edges are just serge finished, I turned and stitched mine, but I'd like to explore self facing the front neck band entirely
Difficult to see, but the front band is sewn on last and you need to pivot where the waist seam and hipband meet. This is what gives it the nice drape at the front while still keeping some waist definition.
You can see here that the waist seam hits above the natural waistline where the belt sits.
Hoe about "peplum"? That's whathe the "hip band" reminds me of. Nice cardie! Shame about the too high waist seam as the belted view looks really elegant in this white version. But the beltless look is quite cool...& prob more comfy & practical.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the misspellings... da** "so-called" "smartphone" autocorrect innit! 😅
DeleteSorry about the misspellings... da** "so-called" "smartphone" autocorrect innit! 😅
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ReplyDeleteWould a ponte knit be too thick for this pattern? I have made the Estelle jacket and love the fact that I don't have to finish the edges do to the fabric. Or maybe chose a light weight knit that doesn't require finishing the raw edges?
ReplyDeleteI like this a lot; it is flattering. Whatever you did to your settings are very good especially since white is so hard to photograph. I have an aging Canon and don't want to buy a new one at the moment, that is having some of the same issues that you are having. I'll experiment with the settings.
ReplyDeleteSuper cute, I love it!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty!
ReplyDeleteLovely! I made one and loved it too, but had the same concerns about the edge finishing and also turned and stitched my hems. Some people have done a rolled edge on the overlocker. Would love to see how it works with full front facing, but I thought it might be too bulky so didn't try yet.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty. I like it made is the thin knit. Sits close to the body and ver flattering.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous cardigan! I love the way it drapes.
ReplyDeleteThank-you for the review. I have the pattern and it is so helpful to see where I need to pay careful attention to pattern measurements. I can already see that I need to lengthen the bodice and shorten the fronts.
ReplyDeleteIt looks very nice. It's interesting that it doesn't have much fabric over the rear end, but plenty of draping in the front. The waist is high, but flattering. I don't think I'd wear a belt with this style anyway. Isn't that the point?
ReplyDeleteYour cardi look lovely. It can be hard to find a suitably drapey fabric for this style of garment. Yours is perfect. I just made a knit cardigan with the exact same styling/pieces using Linda Macphee's sliming jacket pattern. The directions said to use the cut edge on the front band and bottom edge of peplum,no hem. That made me uncomfortable. And I did wrap the front band around to the back, creating a self facing. I sewed it by machine using the burrito method often used for back yokes. Today I am wearing a RTW sweater made the same way. But the seam between the bodice and peplum is just under the bust. A slightly different look.
ReplyDeleteYou now have the perfect layering piece and white will be so versatile. I wouldn't be happy with an overlocked edge either but then I do leave the rotary cut edges of my waterfall cardigan unfinished as they are nice and straight.
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