first cardigan (which is actually the second)

Burda 109B 5/2013 by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Finally, here are the pictures of the jersey cardigan I made back in May/June. It’s #10 of my 27 Dresses Challenge and I made it for someone else this time!

I used the Burda pattern #109B from the May issue this year (5/2013) and it is probably the first time I managed to sew something in the same month the issue was out.

Burda 109B 5/2013 by thisblogisnotforyou.com

I couldn’t find the #109B pattern as download but the burdastyle.com website has the pattern for 109A for a fiver, which is basically the same pattern with short sleeves (and it suggests a button closure, the 109B pattern uses hooks):

It is also the first cardigan I’ve sewn so far and at the same time my second, I guess.

A little while ago I showed you pictures of the ugly dress and promised to  confess some more of my sewing mistakes. This is one.

When dealing with stretch fabric, concentrate! I basically cut it out in the wrong direction, started sewing everything together. After hours and hours of sewing I started to get a bit worried since the cardigan was getting way to tight. This was really weird because Burda patterns normally end up being a bit too large. I was swearing my head off, first blaming the pattern, then the fabric (“it’s not stretchy anymore!”).  Well, after a while I noticed that it was stretchy, just not where I wanted it to be stretchy. Burda 109B 5/2013 by thisblogisnotforyou.comBurda 109B 5/2013 by thisblogisnotforyou.com

See? Nice and stretchy lengthways, but no stretch at all in the crosswise direction. FAIL. You can see how lopsided it looks on the dummy. In the first picture you can the the sewing annoying mistake I made. Sewing the peplum onto the bodice, I accidentally caught some fabric from the back panel and had to open the seam again. This wouldn’t have been so bad if it wasn’t for the jersey fabric. Unpicking the seam left ugly little holes in the fabric. ARGH! I managed to solve the problem sewing on a piece of fabric that looked a bit like a belt, to hide the holes. This had to be done with hand sewing, since I didn’t want to top stitch and make it even more obvious.
The worst part? Realising that all my effort had been in vain after noticing that the problem was that I screwed up when cutting out the fabric. ARGH!

Even worse? Realising that I didn’t have enough fabric left to make another one. As mentioned before, it was for someone else (a birthday present) and I had to get it done on time – not enough time to go back and buy new fabric!
Burda 109B 5/2013 by thisblogisnotforyou.com

In the end I decided to shorten the sleeves so that the pattern pieces just fit on the piece of fabric I had left. After thinking you were almost done, starting all over again is NOT FUN.

Burda 109B 5/2013 by thisblogisnotforyou.comBurda 109B 5/2013 by thisblogisnotforyou.com

 

I managed to finish it anyway and am quite satisfied with how it turned out. There’s some puckering at the sleeves, but apart from that it’s ok (and really comfy).

Burda 109B 5/2013 by thisblogisnotforyou.com

I finished the seams at the sleeves with a narrow zig zag stitch.

Burda 109B 5/2013 by thisblogisnotforyou.com

I found some matching bias binding I used for the seam finish at the neckline.

Burda 109B 5/2013 by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Last but not least, I added my little tag by sewing it on one of the side seams.

Phew, done!

Did any stretch fabric horror stories happen to you?

 

PS: I’m still on the look out for some under 200 follower blogs I might like to nominate for the Liebster Award. I have some favourites, but I always love discovering new blogs! If you have any suggestions, just leave a link in the comments! xx

Liebster Award

Phew!

I handed in my dissertation yesterday and still can’t believe I’m free at last…after weeks and weeks of work. And finally I have time for unpacking my sewing machine. So what else happened since my last post?

– We moved houses! Not a good thing to do right before the dissertation deadline but that’s how thing are sometimes. There’s still chaos everywhere and all my sewing things are still in boxes. But I’m looking forward to decorating my new sewing space. Unpacking starts NOW!

– I finished #10 and #11 of my 27 Dresses Challenge! I will be posting some pictures in the next days (plus the tutorial on baby seams I promised you guys a while ago on Facebook!)

– Last but not least: I was nominated the Liebster Award by wonderful Danielle from Constantly Alice! I did not know her blog before, but I’m so glad I do now! Please do check it out, it’s totally worth it!

The nomination comes with a few rules:

  • You must answer the 11 questions set by the blogger who nominated you.
  • You yourself then pick 11 blogs who in turn have under 200 followers. You must then think of 11 questions for the blogs you have picked and also tell them.
  • Finally link back to the blog that nominated you.

I still haven’t picked the 11 blogs, but will do so in the next days. If you know any really cool blogs you want me to consider or if you want me to check out your own blog, please feel to post a link in the comments! It should have no more than 200 followers, to give the smaller or newly started blogs a chance to be seen by more people!

Here are Danielle’s questions:

1. What is your favorite song?

Oh, wow. Hardest question first? There are hundreds of songs I really love and I think which one of them is my favourite changes constantly depending on my mood and what music I listened to last. I love all sorts of music from rock to techno to classic to swing and jazz. Since I really can’t decide here’s a short list of the ones I can think of right now:

– ‘Italian Radio’ and ‘HRSA’ by Blue October (probably one of the best bands in the world!

– ‘Nouvelle chance’ by Pupkulies and Rebecca

– “Wish you’d hold that smile” by Minor Majority (great great great band!)

– “The dragster wave” by Ghinzu

– “May way” by Frank Sinatra (who doesn’t love this song?)


2. If you could only have one item, what would you pick?

My sewing machine!


3. Who has been your biggest influencer/mentor?

I think I don’t really have a “mentor”. I’ve been influenced by a lot of really great people over the last years. I think there are  a lot of really good books that are very inspiring but the most inspiring people you meet in real life. Family, friends and sometime people you meet somewhere and only talk with for three minutes.


4. Favorite book?

Naw, can’t answer this question! The other lovelies in my shelves will be jealous! And I would probably end up giving you a list of a few hundred books, which I all consider the “best book in the world” 🙂


5. Favorite literary character? Why?

Man, these questions are mean. I’m a very, very indecisive person. I really love Elizabeth Bennet (I’m boring I know!), but this time I pick Momo. Read the book (Momo by Michael Ende) and you’ll know why!


6. Ice Cream or Cake?

Cake. It’s always been cake and it will always be cake. Seriously, how can ice cream be your favourite when there is cake?


7. Describe yourself in 4 words or less.

jack of all trades

(and may I add: master of none)


8. Favorite time of day or season? Why?

I love summer! I love being outside in the sun (preferably with a coffee).


9. Pepsi or Coke?

Neither. (It’s coffee!)


10. What movie character do you most identify with?

The only character that comes to my mind isn’t from a movie, but a series: Lorelai Gilmore (and not only is she a coffee junkie, but she can sew as well!)


11. Biggest blogging challenge?

My 27 Dresses Challenge which is more fun than hard work, actually. The hardest thing was probably making the decision to start a blog.

 

It feels so good to be blogging again. Can’t wait to run some fabric through my sewing machine!

I’m sorry if I haven’t replied to any of your comments during the last few weeks! Will do so pretty soon! xx