Summer’s Last Hurrah : : Striped Kalle Shirtdress : : Juniper Cardigan
Hallo. Hallo.
Just throwing together a last minute blog post with decidedly summer related content.
Summer’s last hurrah.
There was some debate between myself and I. Share another cute, but borderline seasonally inappropriate Kalle Shirt Dress? Or…bid a silent adieu to summer and plunge right into autumn/winter makes? If it were 1969, there’d be no question. I was always…always…beyond excited to wear my new winter clothes. Those first days of school? September temps might have reached upwards of eighty degrees, but I was all about wearing the new clothes.
Time. Age. Dare I say wisdom. I now find myself reluctant to let go of summer. With having a past, it’s as though I can see into the future…the shorter days, the longer nights, the rain and snow and cold. I love all four seasons, but I’m no longer in a hurry to rush towards winter.
I’ve been on a bit of a Kalle Shirtdress tear recently. I think nailing the fit is the reason{my high round back, forward sloping shoulders post is here}. I’m not complaining, but pattern fitting can be hard. And. When I finally got it right…well, it’s been the schtar…the most popular pattern in my sewing room. Just wait…you’ll see…I’ve made not only this blue striped shirt dress, but a couple of Kalle shirts as well.
Earlier this summer I attended a Vancouver fabric swap. Invited by Helen of Helen’s Closet, hosted by Caroline of Blackbird Fabrics and attended by the loveliest group of fabric lovers…it was a huge success from my perspective. I mean, is there anything better than hanging out with like minded souls?
I viewed the fabric swap as the perfect opportunity to let go of fabric that I no longer loved. I fully intended to leave with no fabric {Please stop laughing}. But. Well. You know. Fabric, including this perfect blue and white shirting donated by Michelle, {@meesh.made on Instagram} surreptitiously found it’s way into my bag. Thank you for this piece Meesh…it turned out to be perfect Kalle Shirtdress material.
Okay…on my way out the door I grabbed a Juniper Cardigan. The intention was to introduce a new to the blog pattern…hopefully to prevent glazed eyes and boredom.
Unfortunately…and I knew this…the silhouette of the sweater doesn’t really work with the dress. It’s a fitted cardie…love…over an unstructured shirtdress…also love. Just not together. That said, I’m still sharing the pics. ‘So. There.’ I waggle my finger at myself defiantly.
This is my first attempt at recreating my favourite cotton knit cardigans. Not a complete success. Not a complete fail either. I’ve been reluctant to make my own sweaters…I use the term sweater loosely…but the quality of RTW cotton button up cardigans is becoming abysmal. Am I shopping in the wrong stores, wonders me?
No matter. I’ve decided to try sewing my beloved classic cardie silhouette in jersey knit. Today’s yummy fabric…a dependable Art Gallery floral…is from Thread Count Fabrics.
The fit isn’t perfect. Although I did an FBA, it doesn’t come close to closing. An optimistic assessment? No need to bother with buttons or snaps. Mwaaahahahaha. Things I like about this pattern…the saddle shoulder line, V neck and good instructions. I’ve made the pattern a second time with greater success.
I recently downloaded the Lisbon Cardigan by Itch to Stitch. It’s a cardigan with set in sleeves and more of an Audrey vibe. It’s in my sewing queue….which isn’t really a queue at all. My new projects are usually determined by pulling out three or four fabrics from my stash and allowing inspiration to lead the way.
All righty peeps. This is a wrap. Thanks for reading. Thanks for your comments. Hope to catch up with you again soon.
Wearing : :
Kalle Shirtdress : : Closet Case Patterns Also seen here and here and here
Juniper Cardigan : : Jennifer Lauren Handmade
13 Comments
Hah! You need to learn to KNIT your sweaters, silly! With yarn and needles with 2 points and no eyes. Though I actually believe those two garments go together better than you think. A floral and a stripe in glorious unison – so totally you!
My dark little secret? I know how to knit and have knit sweaters and vests years ago. I’m trying very hard to resist picking up knitting needles again. LOL, I never say never though.
Any tips for controlling tension while knitting? That was always my nemesis. My tension would get tighter and tighter and then I’d correct and it would be too loose. That being said, my makes were pretty cute.
I too love the stripes and floral together!
Nice cardigan, very nice dress. I’ve been looking at the Kalle shirtdress, but haven’t purchased it yet. Have you seen Silhouette Patterns’ #195 sweater set with B,C, & D cup sizing? I really like Peggy’s patterns. http://www.silhouettepatterns.com/html/patterns/p_195.htm
Thank you Patricia! I really appreciate the link to a pattern company that I am not yet familiar with. I will definitely check it out! And how wonderful that there are cup options!
I love this outfit Sue! I’ve been very ambivalent about the Kalle shirtdress for me — do not care for the high-low hem and the extended shoulder line type sleeve does me no favors. That said, I am smitten with your Kalle and am rethinking my view of the Kalle! Wonderful fabric choice, yay for the even hem and it goes (to me anyway) delightfully with your floral cardi! Fresh & fun, classy, cool & comfy vibe. I’m going to need to buy the Juniper pattern, I really like the saddle shoulder!
Hey Ginny! I’m okay with a teeny tiny high-low hem but really prefer not to go there too dramatically if at all. I am REALLY on board with the Kalle right now…have all sorts of different versions in my head that I’d like to make…
You look adorable!
Mwaaah! Thanks Coco.
Blue and white stripes are so perfectly “Summer”! I like the simple shape of this dress, which allows for a bold pattern.
We’re into fall now…still can’t put this dress away. 🙂
Oh bummer…I have been putting off to comment on this post. I had opened the email, saw the cardigan on the lovely dress and didn’t like it. Exactly for the reasons you mentioned yourself. Only I hadn’t come that far in reading. So I was dreading to comment. I didn’t want to be dishonest (what good are friends when they lie to you?) but I didn’t want to be the one again with the critical note. Today I decided to read the whole post. Imagine my relief when I read your own reflections haha.
Both items are stars, but indeed not together.
I think this cardigan which doesn’t close, might be just the thing for certain tops/shirts. I have jackets which won’t close either but they give a nice fitted silhouette. With some top/shirts they are better that the ones that close.
And you are right about hanging out with like minded souls. The best.
Greetje
Ha HAH…gotcha.
I am always hesitant about posting photos that are….hmmmm….unflattering or something I don’t like etc….for this very reason. It just feels so easy to end up on a worst dressed list, LOL.
I can wear the cardi over a t-shirt and that’s about it. The second one I made can go over some shirts in addition to t-shirts. I’ve got a ‘boyfriend’ style cardigan in the to-do pile and I’m aiming for cosy but large…large enough. See…I’ll post pics and risk looking like I’m wearing my boyfriend’s sweater, and not in a good way, hahaha.
Thanks for all the links in your blog. I love your Kalle dress – the blue and white stripes are so fresh and cooling for Summer. Or Winter if you’re in a hot clime. I love your cardigan too. Again the colours are lovely and go beautifully with the Kalle stripes.