First off, my pictures are a bit funny this time because my martini-wielding neighbor was mocking me on the lawn. He wasn't currently wielding a drink but he was mocking me. There aren't nearly as many shots as I wanted to do but you get the basic idea with these photos. Deepika started a Cardi Sew Along at PatternReview.com and I just had to join after seeing the super cozy, um, cozies.
This material is fan-freaking-tastic. It's one of the knits my husband brought back from Houston. It's a superfine merino wool.
The pictures speak for themselves.
I never serge the necks/shoulders of tops like this because you have to sew precisely to match the neck and the shoulders. I hand sewed (I know!) a bias strip of purple duppioni to make the seam pretty. I should have used a knit because this will not stretch much. It seems okay though.
With this design, you see both sides of the fabric. The wool is heathered on one side but it looks fine with this pattern. It just gives it more texture. I also hand sewed the entire hem. I know, holy shit, right? One thing the couture class taught me is that you need to treat nice fabric nicely. I have a serger and could have done a rolled hem but I always have problems with that on the seams and corners. This is not a fine rolled hem; it's pretty large. I think it looks alright though.
I have to do a bunch of work sewing but then I have a whole list of things that need to get cranked out. I hope to be done with the work stuff by Sunday. Stay tuned.