Three strikes and I want more! This is my third Longley Cardi by Wendy Ward, previous versions here. I had in mind to make a stripe version of this cardi for a while, I pictured wide stripes in either a sturdy or drapey jersey. This particular stripe jersey is from Ditto Fabrics, the last of the pieces I binge-bought back in January!
I saw the picture, registered the size of the stripe and added 2.5m pretty much immediately to the basket. I didn’t read any further. You know what’s coming….
So when you don’t order samples and don’t read the fabric description properly, sometimes the fabric that arrives is a little bit of a surprise! The stripes run the length of the fabric, opposite to what I thought they’d be. I was expecting your typical viscose jersey, in feel and handle. What came felt rather different. It’s described as having a “silky feel”. To be honest, when it came I would have described it as full on polyester. So procrastinated, wasn’t even sure I liked it.
One thing I really don’t like is waste, and not using this fabric felt a whole heap like wasting. So I just got on with it. I wanted the stripes to line up going up and down across the bands, so I made sure to cut the hem and neck bands very carefully to line up with the back piece on the fold. I couldn’t get the front band stripes to match both the back and front, and as the front has lots of drape it was decided it would be more forgiving to non-matching.
After all the kerfuffle and uncertainty, I’ve decided I do rather like this cardi, stripes, fabric, the lot. It counts towards my Sew Seasonal Wardrobe and being a staple blue and white, will go with pretty much everything already made and those pieces yet to be sewn.
I like the way the stripes change with the drape on the front, horizontal stripes on the front neck band contrasting with vertical stripes on the sleeves. It’s a more interesting cardigan than I thought it was going to be! No bad thing there. So it’s a success in the end, have you had doubts about a project, only to have it turn out ok on the day?
THE COMPULSIVE SEAMSTRESS 
Oh, absolutely! The Morris I just finished was like that: thought it would be horrible, but now love it.
Am so glad you went ahead & made this up as it looks so incredible. Am sure you’re going to receive many admiring comments! It does look grand with the trousers & blouse!
Have you gone on your trip yet? Do let me know when to put your package in the mail (5-to-10 days delivery), so someone will be there to receive it. 😉
We’ll be back after the first weekend in May. I might have got some stuff here for you! 😉
Oops! Hope you’re having fun & weather is good ~ 🌞 🌞 🌞
That looks so good on you, Anne! A definite keeper.
Thanks, it performed well during the holiday too!
It’s amazing, isn’t it, how often the fabric we’re most hesitant to make up turns out really well, and becomes a staple garment.
Thankfully!!
Love the cardy and I’m so glad that I’m not the only one… I often trudge through a make with a heavy heart only to find I end up with an absolute staple. Sadly I also get the reverse a fabric and a pattern that I have a major crush on and yet the end product sorely disappoints.
That’s the soul destroying part, isn’t it? I had a pretty print to make in trousers and thw whole time I thought, this looks like pyjamas. But now they’re finished, I like them. The other half still says they’re pjs!
Total love here! Those stripes! That shape! Another pattern I need to investigate. You corrupted me with the Birkin flares – I’ve made two pairs, to be blogged.
whoop, fabulous!! 🙂
Thank you Anne.
Sometimes the ones we doubt the most turn out to be favorites. Your cardi is great and is a perfect addition you anyone’s wardrobe. It looks great on you and I really like it with the print top. Really nice!
Thanks Margo, I didn’t think they’d pair so well!
Got to love a stripey cardi!! Glad you’re enjoying the pattern so much and it’s passed your “3 strikes rule”!
I think I’ll be making many more!
I like the way the stripes change too.
Now to get a stripe that’s horizontal!