Saturday, January 9, 2016

Muse Jenna Cardi + Sewaholic Renfrew

I have wanted to add handmade cardigans to my wardrobe for quite awhile since my RTW cardigans are starting to look a little raggedy. I used the Muse Jenna Cardi pattern and paired it with the mustard yellow fabric from Cloud 9.  I've never used their fabric before but I was impressed with how soft it is.  I was pleased to discover that it goes with a lot of tops in my closet already, like this Granville and this Granville. It adds a nice pop of color. 

Do you see the waves along the hem band?  Is that a tension issue with my serger or an issue with the fabric I used?  The blue polka dot top Renfrew top is also from Cloud 9 (and also super soft, by the way).  I used the same tension and had no waves.  I thought using a twin needle to topstitch the seam allowance might help.  It didn't.   Speaking of the Sewaholic Renfrew pattern, it's the best tshirt pattern in the entire world in my humble opinion. 
The Jenna Cardi is a very quick make.  I would like for it to become a wardrobe staple but I'm not sure if I like how the shoulder seam hits below my shoulder.  I prefer it when the shoulder seam sits on my shoulder like in a button up top, so I'll have to decide if I can live with this. The sleeve piece is also incredibly long.  I think I ended up cutting off about 3 inches so that the cuff wouldn't go past my fingers. 
Winston and I are trying to pretend like it's not freezing outside in Kansas today.  Happy sewing!

10 comments:

  1. Hi Andrea, I just discovered your bog after seeing your beautiful coat in Threads. Congrats on that coat! And your sewing has progressed really well in just a few years. I have been sewing almost all my life, and I have never dared to sew a coat. I live in the next town (west) of you. Maybe we can meet up for coffee some day and talk sewing?

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    1. Sorry for the late reply but I just saw this! Thanks about my coat. I was in over my head on that one but it worked out. Of course we should meet! verbanicandrea@gmail.com

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  2. You created a lovely cardigan! It is perfect for transitioning into spring!

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  3. I love it, your Granvilles and the Renfrew top. So lovely to have handmade outfits! I am soon to try making a cardigan for the first time, though having never sewn knits I should probably make a simple top first! I do knit though, so have some handknitted cardies already. All the best for the New Year! Jen

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  4. Cardigans are the best! Does your serger have a differential feed option? I think the hem is wavy because it got stretched out when sewing, which isn't your fault at all, but something that happens when you sew stretchy fabric. These are just my thoughts though, maybe someone else has a different solution to your problem?

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    1. I think the differential feed helped. I also steamed the heck out of my latest project and that helped too.

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  5. Lovely cardigan, and the color is so cheery! I have this pattern and keep meaning to make it but always forget about it--I need to get to it! (And the Renfrew, too, since I hear so many great things about it.)

    I think Nilla is right that this is a differential feed issue with your serger and the fabric. Not all sergers allow you to adjust this, but try that first if you can. If you don't have the diff feed, try lowering the presser foot pressure if you can, because that can help with this issue. It's nothing you did--this is common with stretch fabrics (esp knits) and it's happened to me, too!

    PS: Your dog is beautiful! Is (s)he a Vizsla?

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    1. I fooled around with the differential feed for a sweatshirt I just made and it seemed to help. Those servers are so tricky! Yes, Winston is a Vizsla. He's quite the cuddler, as they all are I'm told.

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