Sharon Sews

When I'm wearing a basic tee and jeans I like to add a cardigan. It adds color and style to jazz up that basic tee.  I especially like it when I find a cardigan that is a little bit extra. Like the Style Sew Me Madison Cardigan. This cardi features a hi-lo hem and a waterfall front that drapes beautifully. I think the back is the real star though. The two side panels combined with the center back panel add great movement. Plus, think of the color blocking opportunities! The pattern is available in both printed and PDF versions. Mine is the print version.  I sewed a size medium as I'm right in between the medium and the large.  The pattern has a two-piece sleeve, which I don't think is that common in a cardigan pattern. At least not in the ones that I have sewn.  When I look at the design I envision this sewn out of a rayon knit.  Lots of softness and drape. However, the fabric suggestions (on the pattern envelope) are double knits and woven fabrics with moderate stretch, so

Fabric choices can make or break a fabulous design, such as this vintage DVF wrap dress pattern. The pattern is Vogue 2517, from 1980. I don't recall where I found the pattern, but it was purchased second hand. I began working on the dress about four years ago using some ITY fabric I purchased at SR Harris. Loooooong story, but I finally finished the dress a day ago. Let me explain my opening sentence.  At the time I cut out the pieces for this dress I was only focused on using three prints that coordinated.  On my cutting table these went together very nicely.  It was only after I had stitched the dress together did I realize I had given myself a built-in beauty pageant sash. Ha!Ha!  As if that wasn't bad enough, the white is so stark against the solid and print black fabrics, that is really emphasizes parts of my body that I prefer to not have all that much attention.  I think I was so focused on following the color scheme of the maxi dress (with the lightest fabric in the ce