Leftovers

or How I used up the rest of the silk/wool jacquard

Because of the constraints due to pattern matching of the print that I used for the Silk/Wool Swing Jacket, I had oddly-shaped pieces left over. They were big enough for a pencil skirt. So that's what I made.

Then I pulled a wonderful piece of wool/poly raisin-brown knit from my stash and made a self-drafted cardigan. The knit is a subtly sparkled wool and coordinated so well with the silk/wool/poly blend that it was uncanny. You've got to love a stash that can offer up a piece like that!

I added the leftover scrap of the knit to some of the silk/wool woven fabric to come up with a pieced top. There are literally molecules of the knit fabric left. Whew!

I should say here that I plan on always wearing the entire ensemble--I doubt that I will wear the skirt and top alone, as I don't want to look like a walking Barcalounger. Big prints can do that to you.

Ensemble Photos:

Front view:

Front closeup:

Cardigan opened:

Top and skirt:

Back view:

Patterns Used:

Top: LJ Designs Margarita Top

Skirt: TNT Vogue pencil skirt pattern

Cardigan: Self drafted

Pattern photos:

Materials:

Fabrics:

Leftover fabric from Swing Jacket

Raisin brown wool/poly knit from stash

Thread:
TIRES 100% silk thread (monofilament) in sewing machine
MaxiLock 100% polyester thread in serger

Machine Needles:
Size 80 Universal


Machines:
Janome 6600 computerized sewing machine
Elna Pro 905 DCX computerized serger

Things I did with this project (that weren't in the pattern instructions):

1. Drafted my own cardigan pattern

This is a very simple pattern. I started with a shawl cardigan (RTW) and using the pin method, traced the outline and then perfected the lines to make a wearable shawl cardigan.

2. Combined woven and knit to make the top

I didn't have enough left over to make a solid top, and I really wanted a raisin-colored top. The closest I could get was to use the tiny bit left from the cardigan for a center panel and use the woven print on the sides and back. Since the pattern was made for knits, I added a center back zipper for ease in getting it on.

Things I learned, or was reminded of in this project:

1. I used clear elastic to stabilize the center knit portion of the top, incorporating it into the seam allowance. I also stabilized the cardigan's shoulder seams with it.

2. When you're dealing with leftover scraps, you've got to take your pattern matching or placement where you can get it. I pretty much had to rely on the serendipity (or not) of the result, since I was lucky to find scraps large enough to make what I had in mind.

3. Never underestimate the power of the robust stash.