04 Feb Sweater Set in Cobalt
Effortless, minimal, chic dressing……. I’ve never been able to pull it off, but have always been envious of those who can. As a whole, the loose and unstructured silhouettes overwhelm my 5’2″ frame, but I continue perusing the Eileen Fisher website and occasionally trying on her separates. In doing so, I’ve become a fan of linen knits, and at last, I’ve found a compromise……
The Linen Knit Twinset 😉
EmmaOneSock’s cobalt blue linen knit was irresistible! Available in over a dozen colors this lightweight fabric has a lovely drape and was perfect for the unstructured, but not oversized look I was seeking.
Two patterns – McCall’s 6844 (OOP but available at Easy, Ebay, etc…) and Butterick 5948 (still in print) eventually proved to be nicely compatible.
I ‘ve made the cardigan twice before (blogged here) using heavier fabrics and was familiar with the fit, but I was not prepared for floppy collar.
If I was to wear the cardigan, I had no choice but to do some after-the-fact tweeking. The four-inch collar is attached after the bodice is completed and folds to the outside. (left photo). It refused to behave leading me to cut off 2 1/4 inches. I finished the new edge on the serger, turned it to the inside and topstitched.
While this is not my typical modus operandi, it worked and the cardigan is now exactly what I wanted.
I love the newly defined opening of the cardigan.
In searching for a shell, Butterick 5948 was just the silhouette I was seeking!
I attached the facings to the insides, folded and stitched to the outside for slight added detail.
One final tip to pass along is the importance of stabilizing the shoulder seams of both the cardigan and the shell. I did this by sewing the selvage from a piece of silk organza to the seam, and what a difference this step makes.
Due to the slight sheerness of the fabric I doubt I will wear the shell as a separate, but I’m pleased with the ensemble and it’s nice to be one step closer to effortless dressing 🙂
All the best!
UPDATE: Emma One Sock is sold out of this fabric, but click image below to buy at Fabric . com
Rebecca Bagwell
Posted at 07:40h, 04 FebruaryLove the color!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:34h, 04 FebruaryThank you, Becky!
R
Posted at 07:53h, 04 FebruaryYou always look very elegant.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:35h, 04 FebruaryMany thanks – now to make it effortless 😉😂
Heather Graham
Posted at 08:27h, 04 FebruaryBlue looks good on you. Beautiful work. Thank you for all your tips.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:35h, 04 FebruaryThanks so much, Heather!
KS Sews
Posted at 10:13h, 04 FebruaryVery nice color. I have always had a thing for twin sets!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 16:06h, 04 FebruaryThank you, KS. I have too through the years, and I’m getting closer to the perfect cardigan 😉
Leigh Rollins
Posted at 10:23h, 04 FebruaryIt’s beautiful! I love linen knit but find it a bit of a stinker to sew even with tissue paper on the seam line.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 16:10h, 04 FebruaryMany thanks, Leigh. I can imagine how tricky this fabric gets. The dual action feed on my machine (Pfaff) is very helpful. I’m not sure what machine you use, but perhaps a walking foot would provide stability?
TinaD
Posted at 11:02h, 04 FebruaryLovely color, as you know, and a very classy effect. I completely understand the attraction of Eileen Fisher and that ilk of designer—in a muggy climate like the coastal south, it makes perfect sense—although in practice, the clothes always look like Hefty bags on me. This is a lovely compromise.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 16:13h, 04 FebruaryThank you, Tina! You completely understand what I’m dealing with……….. I think this compromise might be the ticket…. a nice shoulder fit and slightly relaxed bodice 😉
Reader
Posted at 11:21h, 04 FebruaryLooks great.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 16:13h, 04 FebruaryThank you!
Mary SL
Posted at 14:07h, 04 FebruaryJust lovely! How well does the fabric launder…meaning does it stretch out of shape or shrink?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 16:15h, 04 FebruaryMany thanks, Mary. Linen knit launders nicely as long as it’s hand washed in cold water and dried flat 😉
Vanessa
Posted at 14:25h, 04 FebruaryYou look lovely!! At first glance I thought the set come from the same pattern!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 16:15h, 04 FebruaryThank was the idea, Vanessa, and I’m so glad this pattern combo worked together.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 16:17h, 04 FebruaryThank you, Vanessa!
Margie
Posted at 15:19h, 04 FebruaryI just love this combination thank you for your inspiration, I have got my pattern out to sew this outfit.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 16:16h, 04 FebruaryMany thanks, Margie! Linen knit?
Marianne Johansson
Posted at 17:18h, 04 FebruaryVery neat!! Nice pattern!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:07h, 04 FebruaryThank you, Marianne – nice to hear from you!!!!
Barbara Kane
Posted at 17:35h, 04 FebruaryLovely combination! Isn’t it great when you make something that is a winner not just from the sewing perspective but a garment that is just right for you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:08h, 04 FebruaryIndeed it is, Barbara! I guess we’ll call that a win-win situation 😂😂
Many thanks for the comment!
Mollie Bobo
Posted at 19:19h, 04 FebruaryI love your choices as I am about the same size with a few more pounds!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 22:30h, 04 FebruaryThank you, Mollie!!
Anne Dawahare
Posted at 06:58h, 05 FebruaryBeautiful make, you always inspire….
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:23h, 05 FebruaryAh….. thank you, Anne!
MonicaAD
Posted at 19:54h, 05 FebruaryAWESOME completion and the color is everything … FIESTA
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:23h, 05 FebruaryMany thanks, Monica!………….that color……………
Kathleen Kolb
Posted at 07:18h, 06 FebruaryJust so perfect, love the color. So happy that true blue is the color of the year, my favorite. You are always such a great inspiration. How to you select what is next under the needle? Do you plan things out, get inspired by a fabric or just wake up and say I need to create this? Would like to know how you process your makes. I get so distracted. Start with a list of things to make and then get inspired by a fabric, picture or pattern and then i’m off in a different direction. You are just too fabulous in all you do!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:20h, 19 FebruaryKathleen ~ Many thanks for your lovely comment! 2020 is a year where I’m sewing however the spirit guides me. As I was sewing my Jacket in January I signed up for a workshop in Palm Beach. Palm Beach dictated my choice to sew this lightweight sweater set.
Often I sew for an event, but other times I’m interested in a pattern, technique or piece of fabric.
For the last few years my sewing has been project oriented (books, sponsorships etc….), so I’m most excited to be sewing without a plan!!!
Linda L
Posted at 12:58h, 06 FebruaryThe cobalt blue fabric is gorgeous. I love wearing this color and looks good on you also. I have not tried linen knit, maybe I should try it for a tank top to start.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:22h, 19 FebruaryThank you, Linda! I think this color looks good on everyone. A tank top would be a good choice for a starting project.. 😉
JoAnn Selander
Posted at 17:31h, 07 FebruaryI love what you have done with this pattern, but when I tried to print out all the pictures it stops at page 8 and says that 9 and 10 are out of bounds! What can I do to get a copy of those pages?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:23h, 19 FebruaryJoann,
I’d love to help but am not sure what you’re referring to?
Jennifer Shaw
Posted at 19:59h, 11 MarchThese two tops look so gorgeous on you! Cobalt blue shines on you. Was sewing on the linen knit easy? I wanted o find out since your two pieces are so beautifully made. I really enjoy reading your blog. Thanks again,
Joan
Posted at 12:52h, 04 JulyLove this post on creating your own twinset, Sarah. The cobalt blue is gorgeous!
I, like other readers, have a modest obsession with twinsets. I own many, but few have the exact features AND fit that I want. I have one by Eileen Fisher: the top is silk jersey and the sweater is a linen knit. While it is attractive, it isn’t JUST what I want, and particularly, the style of the draped front cardigan is not my favorite. Need to work on my own!
Joan
Posted at 12:53h, 04 Julyp.s. Love your fabric backdrop ;-}