Doctor T Designs

This was something of an unexpected sew – I was thinking I *might* still be able to pull off a September mini-wardrobe, but realized there was no way I was going to finish if I included my blazer jacket.  So I thought I might speed up the process by reusing an older pattern and making a knit topper.  The My Image M1003 cardigan is one of my most worn self-sewn garments ever, so it felt like a no brainer to sew another.  It didn’t quite go with the other items in my The Magicians inspired collection, but I figured I’d get a decent amount of wear from it regardless.  In light of my recent foray into understanding Kibbe, I think it was a good choice.

Happily, I have to admit I love the style of this cardigan, and the color I used.  It will completely fit into the long-term wardrobe style I am trying to cultivate.  Sadly, the fabric I used was an awful PITA, and I don’t know how long this cardigan will actually survive in the wardrobe, because I question how well this fabric will survive the wash and wear process.  I’ve been wearing it obsessively though, so it will at least serve me well until it’s inevitable demise.

I took several pictures with the wardrobe items I had been intending to use it with for the contest:

But I also enjoy it with my more typical work uniform of jeans and a t-shirt:

Here is my official pattern review:

Pattern Description:  Long cardigan with patch pockets.

Pattern Sizing:  My Image sizes 36-44.  I used the pattern I traced out in 2012, when I apparently made a size 40, grading out to a size 42 at the lower back.  The fit is perfect for a slightly relaxed style.

Were the instructions easy to follow?  The instructions are fine if you know what you are doing – essentially a construction order more than actual “instructions.”  I pretty much ignored them.

Did it look like the photo/drawing when you were done with it?  Yes, except I used a lighter weight fabric in this version, which was possibly not the best plan.

What did you particularly like/dislike about this pattern?  I love the style of this cardigan – it is perfect for the transitional weather, super comfortable, and fairly stylish.  I always get compliments on the first one I made, even from people who don’t know I sew.  I think the fit is very nice and I like the bands that give a nice finish to the sleeves and collar.

Fabric used:  I used a bright blue knit from the Michael Levine Loft.  I fell in love with this color, but this knit truly was devil fabric.  Cutting took longer than sewing, honestly, and despite extreme care in stripe matching, the front bands still don’t line up.  It almost makes no sense because the bands themselves line up, and the front pieces stripes line up, yet the band and front piece stripes only line up on ONE SIDE.  Evil, evil devil fabric.  Similarly, I had major issues with the hem being long on one side, EVEN THOUGH I measured it three times before hemming.  Sigh.  One of these days I will make this pattern and not totally butcher some aspect of the execution.  I’ll keep wearing the versions I have made until I do though.

Pattern alterations or design changes you made:  I left off the button detail because it seemed unnecessary on this version.  As I said, I question how much effort this fabric was really worth.  Probably not as much effort as I gave it.

Would you sew this again?  Would you recommend it to others?  Yes and yes.  This is my second time making this pattern, and I’d love to make another.  Perhaps in a ponte print with solid colored neck trim?  Having a version that is slightly thicker for winter would be nice.  I would recommend this pattern if you can get ahold of it, just don’t expect too much hand holding with the instructions.

Conclusion:  I am disappointed with my construction on this pattern yet again.  My first version has severely mismatches shoulder seams, which is a problem I avoided this time around!  But my stripe matching is all sorts of wonky, there may be some rather noticeable puckers on the fusible interfacing, and the hem is all sorts of DGAF.  But I know I’m still going to wear it to death anyway, because I wear the first one all the time.  Of the four pieces I’ve made so far this fall, this is the one I’m reaching for constantly.  Aside from my own failings, I will say I love this pattern and consider it to be nearly TNT status.  I have been trying to be more mindful in choosing patterns to sew so that I can create a wardrobe I will want to wear, and this is definitely one of those patterns that will help me create a wardrobe I love to wear.  I expect I will be making more of these in the future!