I think Steph over at Cake Patterns can read my mind. I swear she designed Carmine just for me (and maybe Tiramisu too)! I have been looking for something that will keep me warm in winter and will work with low key casual and dressier outfits. I really wanted something made out knit for comfort, so Carmine is perfect! It’s one of Stephs ‘Riff patterns’ which are designed to be sewn by intermediate to advanced sewers. The riff patterns have less involved instructions and are designed to be varied. I admit to being confused by how this ingenious pattern was supposed to work. Once I’d traced it off and I could make the pieces into 3D shapes it all clicked. This pic from the folded out pattern helps you understand how it works, the shaded section is the circle part and the unshaded is the body and sleeve gussets.
I made my Carnine out of a polyester sweater knit I found for $5/mtr in Spotlight. I can see why no one wanted it, it reminded me of 70’s curtains but I could see potential. I also used a poly/cotton/lycra on the collar section.I felt two layers of the sweater knit would make the whole thing too stiff and I wanted some drape. I was worried that it would be a challenge to get these two fabrics to fit together. The sweater knit has much less stretch than the lycra. It was fine except for the top stitching around the collar. It was hard to keep the lycra from buckling and pleating. In fact I’m still less than happy with the top stitching.







3 Comments
Great style…perfect vintage vibe – really like the mix of fabrics. The only suggestion I have re top stitching on poly/lyrca is to try a microtech needle (super sharp)?? (possibly not at all what you’re supposed to do…but if it works….)
Oooh thanks for that tip! I shall get some microtech needles. I love, love, love this style too, I’m planning a ponte version in my mind….
[…] For those of you who have been paying attention, I stitched up the Carmine Jacket from Cake Patterns this week (and posted a free headscarf pattern too). The carmine red and the sweetness of cake […]