YET ANOTHER ASTER CARDIGAN

I have only recently started to sew with knits. I always thought one needed a professional sewing machine and professional skills to sew with knits, so this was something that I never thought I would try. I have said it before: I couldn´t be more wrong! Though I have a serger, one does not really need a serger to make a t-shirt. Anyway, for me, sewing with knits went from a intimidating idea to an addiction. I can't get enough of it...

Although I have a ton of projects that I want to make with knits... I couldn't resist trying another version of Willow and Co's Aster Cardigan. I had some trouble with my first version, not because of the pattern, which is GREAT, but because of the fabric that was very slippery. You can see that version here. This time, I used a mid-weight cotton knit from Joann’s and the fabric was much easier to work with. It is far from perfect (don't look too closer to the collar, please!), but I will get there! :-)

The original pattern as a 3/4 sleeve and is short, so, to be worn during winter, I decided to increase the length of both the top and the sleeves for about two inches. Once again, the fit was perfect and very comfortable! Teresa loves it! 

 Hope you like it too! :-)

KCW DAY 3 - THE ASTER CARDIGAN

After the Mulbery Tunic for Manel (you can see it here), it was time to sew someting for my little girl. I have never sewed with knits before, but after seing so many gorgeous versions of the Aster Cardigan from Willow and Co. and the comments saying that it was easy to put together, I decided to leave my fears behind and buy some knit. I do not know anything about fabric. I normaly only look for 100% cotton fabric and that is all I have ever used. So, when I went to my local store to buy knit, I had no idea what to purchase. Given my "cotton" past, I ended choosing a midweight cotton knit... bad idea. After I pre-washed the fabric it gained bobbles! When this happens, I normally just put the fabric away, but this time I tough, well, it is my first time sewing with knit and I will probably not be able to pull this out, so let's just try with what I have.

I have a serger, so the construction of the cardigan was very easy to make. Yet, when I needed to finish the hems, the fabric just didn't stay in its place. It was a mess. I then realized that it was better that I skipped the buttons part, as I would never be able to make buttonholes in this fabric. So I remembered that Sara (Made-By-Sara) and Marta (Do Guincho) had the genious idea of using bias tape instead of the bottons. I decided to keep the collar, which I find adorable, and made my own bias tape using a fat quarter of a Kaffe Fassett fabric that I adore and that I purchased years ago. I used Constança's (Saidos da Concha) tutorial to make the bias tape. This is how it turned out:

It is far from perfect, but it got me addicted. I will definitely be making some more. I managed to complete it this morning , right on time for Teresa to take it for school. She loved it an that really made me happy! :-)

She is also wearing Oliver and S after school pants in denim. I made these pants a year ago, but they still fit and look great! I also need to make some more of these...